Air Fryer Green Peppers: Can You Cook Them?

Green peppers can be cooked in an air fryer and make a healthy, tasty, and colourful side dish. Green bell peppers are harvested before they are fully ripe, which gives them a slightly bitter taste. They can be cooked with other colours of peppers, such as red, yellow, and orange, which are sweeter and tangier. To cook green peppers in an air fryer, they should be sliced into strips, coated in olive oil, and seasoned with salt and pepper. They can be cooked for 10-15 minutes, depending on how well-cooked you want them to be.

Green peppers in an air fryer: preparation and cooking time

Green peppers can be cooked in an air fryer and make a great, healthy side dish. They can also be added to other dishes like fajitas, salads, and wraps.

To prepare your green peppers for air frying, start by cutting off the tops and removing the seeds and membranes. Then, slice the peppers into strips about 1/4-1/2 inch thick. The thickness of the strips will determine the cooking time and the level of doneness, with thicker strips taking longer to cook and remaining more crisp. To ensure even cooking, try to keep the pepper strips a similar size.

Next, toss the pepper strips with oil and seasonings. Olive oil is a popular choice, but other oils with high smoke points, like avocado oil, can also be used. Using oil will enhance the flavor and prevent the peppers from sticking to the air fryer basket. If you don't want to use oil, you can substitute it with lemon juice or vegetable stock to help the spices adhere to the peppers. After tossing with oil, add your preferred seasonings. Salt and pepper are classic choices, but you can also add spices like garlic powder or red pepper flakes for extra flavor.

When you're done seasoning the peppers, it's time to cook them! Preheat your air fryer to 360°F-400°F (180°C-200°C) for about 5 minutes. If your air fryer doesn't require preheating, you can skip this step. Place the seasoned pepper strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overcrowd the basket, which can cause steaming instead of blistering or roasting.

Cook the peppers for about 10-15 minutes at 360°F-400°F (180°C-200°C), tossing or shaking the basket every 5 minutes for even cooking. The cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness and the thickness of your pepper strips. If you prefer your peppers with a bit of a bite, aim for a shorter cooking time of around 8-10 minutes. For more well-done peppers, cook for a longer period, checking regularly to avoid overcooking.

Once the peppers are tender with a slight char, they're ready to be enjoyed! Serve them as a side dish or add them to your favorite recipes.

How to season green peppers before air frying

Green peppers can be cooked in an air fryer, and seasoning them before air frying can enhance their flavour. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to season green peppers before air frying:

Step 1: Prepare the Peppers

Start by removing the stems and seeds from the green peppers. Then, slice the peppers into strips or halves, depending on your preferred size. The strips should be around 1/2-inch wide to ensure even cooking.

Step 2: Choose Your Oil

Coating the surface of the peppers with oil will enhance their flavour and prevent them from sticking to the air fryer basket. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or any other high-heat oil.

Step 3: Season the Peppers

Place the sliced peppers in a large bowl and add the oil. Toss the peppers until they are lightly coated with oil. Then, add your desired seasonings. The most common seasonings are salt and ground black pepper, which enhance the natural sweetness of the peppers. You can also experiment with other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, taco seasoning, curry powder, or ranch seasoning mix.

Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or follow the manufacturer's instructions for the desired cooking temperature.

Step 5: Arrange the Peppers in the Air Fryer

Place the seasoned pepper slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. Spray the air fryer basket with oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 6: Cook the Peppers

Air fry the green peppers for around 12 to 15 minutes, tossing or shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. The peppers are done when they are tender, slightly charred on the outside, and starting to soften.

Step 7: Serve or Store

Once the peppers are cooked to your desired doneness, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately as a side dish or ingredient in your favourite recipes. Alternatively, let them cool completely and store them in an airtight container or ziplock bag in the fridge for up to 3 to 5 days.

What to serve with air-fried green peppers

Air-fried green peppers are a healthy, tasty, and colourful side dish that can accompany a variety of meals. They are low-calorie and packed with vitamins, antioxidants, fibre, and minerals.

Green peppers have a robust, grassy flavour, and when air-fried, they develop a slight char, enhancing their overall taste. Here are some ideas for what to serve with air-fried green peppers:

Fajitas, Burritos, and Tacos

Air-fried green peppers are an excellent addition to fajitas, burritos, and tacos. They provide a healthy and tasty topping to these Mexican dishes. For an extra kick of flavour, you can add some taco seasoning to the peppers before air-frying.

Grilled Meats

The peppers also make a perfect side dish to grilled meats. Try serving them alongside grilled chicken, turkey sausage, or steak. The peppers' flavour will complement the meat, adding a nice charred vegetable element to the meal.

Salads and Bowls

Air-fried green peppers can add a burst of colour and flavour to your salads and bowls. Try them with Salsa Verde Chicken Bowls or on top of a bed of greens with some grilled vegetables. They provide a nice change of texture and taste to your salad or bowl.

Breakfast Options

These peppers are also a tasty breakfast option. Serve them alongside eggs, hash browns, and some breakfast meats, like bacon or sausage. They will add a vibrant and healthy component to your morning meal.

Other Vegetables

You can also pair air-fried green peppers with other vegetables. Try air-frying onions, which, when combined with the peppers, create a delicious and healthy side dish. You can also add these peppers to a vegetarian paella or stir-fry for a colourful and nutritious vegetable medley.

Nutritional value of green peppers

Yes, you can cook green peppers in an air fryer. To do so, first, cut off the tops of the peppers, remove the seeds and membranes, and slice the peppers into 1/2-inch wide strips. Then, toss the pepper strips with olive oil or another high-heat oil, and season with salt and ground black pepper. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and place the seasoned pepper strips in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for around 12 minutes, tossing or shaking the basket halfway through.

Green peppers are highly nutritious and are particularly rich in vitamin C, which can help the body absorb iron more efficiently. They also contain vitamin B6, which is involved in nutrient metabolism, immune function, and neurotransmitter synthesis. Green peppers are a good source of fiber and other vitamins and minerals, including thiamine (B1), magnesium, copper, and vitamin E.

Green peppers are also packed with lutein, a chemical compound that gives certain foods their yellow and orange coloring. Lutein is an antioxidant that has been shown to improve eye health by strengthening the part of the eye that often becomes damaged by blue light. Green peppers also contain quercetin, a polyphenol antioxidant that may help prevent certain chronic conditions such as heart disease and cancer.

In addition to their nutritional benefits, green peppers are incredibly versatile and can be added to almost any savory dish. They can be cut into wedges to eat fresh, diced and mixed into dishes, or halved and stuffed before baking. Green peppers are a great way to add color, texture, and flavor to your meals while also boosting your nutrient intake.

Other vegetables to cook in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook green peppers in an air fryer, along with a variety of other vegetables. Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables as they require minimal oil and preparation, and they cook quickly.

• Zucchini/Courgette: Quarter the zucchini into half-moon shapes, lightly cover in olive oil and Italian seasoning, and place in the air fryer for a crispy result. You can also make zucchini chips by cutting them into thin strips and air frying them without breading.
• Avocado: For a unique take on avocado, try crumb-coated avocado slices.
• Pumpkin: Cut into fries and air fry for a healthier alternative to traditional fries. Serve with a maple-chipotle dipping sauce.
• Squash: Slice and cook with garlic and herbs, or try making fried patty pan squash.
• Asparagus: Tasty with a lemon-garlic dressing.
• Brussels sprouts
• Green beans: Try roasting them for a tasty side dish.
• Cauliflower: Cauliflower bites are a great, crispy snack.
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Onions: Try air-fried roasted sweet peppers and onions.
• Beets: Try roasting them with fresh herbs and tangy goat cheese.

When cooking vegetables in an air fryer, it is important to avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can cause the vegetables to steam instead of brown. It is also key to use a light coating of oil to ensure the vegetables crisp up.

Frequently asked questions