Air Fryer Roasted Jalapenos: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Roasting jalapeños in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to add a charred, smoky flavour to your dishes. The circulating heat of the air fryer ensures the jalapeños are roasted evenly, enhancing their flavour and making them softer. The peppers can be roasted whole or halved, with or without seeds, and the skin can be peeled off after roasting. The roasting time varies between 8 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the jalapeños and the desired crispness.

How to roast jalapeños in an air fryer

Roasted jalapeños are a versatile ingredient that can be used to add a smoky, spicy kick to a variety of dishes. They are also a great snack on their own! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to roast jalapeños in an air fryer:

Ingredients:

• Jalapeños: Choose fresh, firm jalapeños that are bright green.
• Oil: Olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, or any other high-heat neutral oil. You can also use cooking spray.
• Salt: Kosher salt or regular table salt.
• Other seasonings (optional): Black pepper, paprika, cayenne powder, or garlic powder for added flavour.

Instructions:

• Prepare the jalapeños: Wash the jalapeños thoroughly and pat them dry with a paper towel. If you prefer a milder flavour, slice the jalapeños in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and membranes. Leave them whole if you like them spicy. You can also choose to remove the stems, especially if you plan to use the jalapeños in other recipes.
• Coat with oil: Lightly coat the jalapeños with oil. You can place them in a bowl and toss them with a teaspoon of oil or use a cooking spray.
• Season: Sprinkle a pinch of salt and any other desired seasonings over the jalapeños.
• Preheat the air fryer: Set the air fryer to 350-400°F (177-200°C). Preheat for about 2-3 minutes.
• Place jalapeños in the air fryer: Arrange the jalapeños in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
• Air fry: Set the cook time for 8-12 minutes, turning the jalapeños halfway through. Look for blisters and slight charring on the jalapeños.
• Cool: Once done, remove the jalapeños from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes. They will continue to soften as they cool.

Tips:

• Wear gloves when handling jalapeños to avoid transferring the spicy capsaicin oils to your skin, eyes, or other sensitive areas.
• For even cooking, ensure the jalapeños are in a single layer in the air fryer. Overlapping or stacking may lead to uneven cooking.
• To make peeling the skins easier, place the roasted jalapeños in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap or place them in a zip-top bag for about 10 minutes. The steam will loosen the skin.
• Store roasted jalapeños in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze them for longer storage.

How to prepare jalapeños for roasting

Preparing jalapeños for roasting is a simple process, but it's important to take precautions to avoid the painful effects of jalapeño spice burns on your skin. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare jalapeños for roasting:

Step 1: Wear Gloves

First, put on some disposable kitchen gloves. Jalapeños contain capsaicin, which is the compound that makes them spicy. This oil can stay on your hands for a couple of days, causing a burning sensation if it gets into your eyes or other sensitive areas. Gloves will protect your skin from this compound.

Step 2: Slice the Jalapeños

Using a knife, slice the jalapeños in half lengthwise, creating a boat shape. Be careful not to cut yourself, as the jalapeño's spice can also be painful if it gets into cuts.

Step 3: Remove the Seeds and Membranes

Use a knife to carefully separate the pith, seeds, and white membranes from the inside of the jalapeño. The heat of the jalapeño is primarily in these parts, so removing them will result in a milder flavor. Rinse the jalapeños under water to remove any remaining seeds.

Step 4: Remove the Stems

Whether you keep the stems on or remove them depends on your preference and how you plan to use the roasted jalapeños. Leaving the stems on is recommended if you plan to serve the jalapeños as a side dish. However, if you plan to blend them into a dip or add them to sandwiches or tacos, chopping off the stems is a good idea.

Step 5: Seasoning (Optional)

At this point, you can choose to sprinkle your desired seasonings on the jalapeños. Some common seasonings include salt, black pepper, paprika, or cayenne powder.

Step 6: Oil

Lightly coat the jalapeños with olive oil or another cooking oil of your choice. You can place them in a bowl and toss them with the oil or use a cooking spray for easier application.

Now your jalapeños are ready for roasting! Remember to follow the specific instructions for your chosen roasting method, whether it's an air fryer or an oven. Enjoy experimenting with this spicy addition to your dishes!

How to use roasted jalapeños

Roasted jalapeños are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas on how to use them:

Salsas and Dips

Roasted jalapeños are a great addition to salsas and dips. You can blend them into a salsa verde or a red tomato salsa for added depth of flavour. They can also be mixed into guacamole for a smoky kick or blended into an avocado dip. For a spicier option, you can make a roasted jalapeño salsa or a green salsa.

Tacos, Burritos, Enchiladas, and Nachos

Roasted jalapeños can be diced and sprinkled over tacos, mixed into burritos, or stuffed inside enchiladas. They can also be used as a topping for nachos.

Sandwiches, Wraps, and Burgers

Slice or dice roasted jalapeños and add them to sandwiches, wraps, or burgers for a spicy kick.

Soups and Stews

Roasted jalapeños can be diced and stirred into soups, stews, or chilis. They can also be blended into a soup for a creamy, spicy option.

Salads

Dice roasted jalapeños and add them to salads, especially those with a southwestern or Mexican flair.

Pizzas

Thinly slice roasted jalapeños and scatter them over pizzas, either before or after baking.

Pasta

Mix roasted jalapeños into pasta sauces, especially creamy sauces or aglio e olio.

Eggs

Dice roasted jalapeños and add them to scrambled eggs, omelettes, or breakfast burritos.

Grains

Stir roasted jalapeños into rice, quinoa, or other grains for an extra layer of flavour.

Cream Cheese or Butter

Blend roasted jalapeños into cream cheese for a smoky spread, or stir them into butter to create a spicy compound butter for bread or steaks.

Dressings and Marinades

Roasted jalapeños can be blended into dressings or marinades to add a spicy kick.

Pickling

Make pickled roasted jalapeños with salt, sugar, and other spices in a vinegar solution, then store them in the refrigerator.

How to remove the skin of roasted jalapeños

Roasting jalapeños in an air fryer is a great way to add a charred, smoky flavour to your peppers. But what about removing the skin?

Well, the good news is that there are several methods for removing the skin from roasted jalapeños. One popular method is to place the hot peppers in a sealed container, such as a bowl covered with plastic wrap or a zip-top bag, and let them steam for about 10-15 minutes. This will loosen the skin, making it easy to peel or scrape off with your fingers, a spoon, or a knife.

Another method is to place the peppers under cold running water after roasting, which will also help to loosen the skin. You can also try using a vegetable peeler, especially if you cut the pepper in half first. If you want to avoid peeling the jalapeños, you can also simply slice off the stems and scoop out the seeds, leaving the skin intact.

Some people also recommend using a blowtorch to char the skin of the jalapeños before peeling. This method can be done by placing the peppers on a heat-proof surface and carefully torching one side until it is blackened, then turning and torching the other side. Allow the peppers to cool, then rub off the skins.

Whatever method you choose, always remember to wear gloves when handling jalapeños, as the capsaicin in the peppers can cause a burning or stinging sensation if it comes into contact with your skin or eyes.

How to store roasted jalapeños

Roasted jalapeños can be stored in a variety of ways, depending on how long you want to keep them for. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to store roasted jalapeños:

Storing Roasted Jalapeños in the Fridge:

• Allow the jalapeños to cool down after roasting.
• Place the roasted jalapeños in an airtight container or a sealable plastic bag.
• Optionally, add a paper towel to the container or bag to absorb excess moisture.
• Store the jalapeños in the refrigerator.
• Consume within a week.

Freezing Roasted Jalapeños:

Freezing is a great option if you want to store the jalapeños for longer than a week. Here's how:

• Allow the roasted jalapeños to cool down to room temperature.
• Place the jalapeños in a single layer on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer.
• Once frozen, transfer the jalapeños to a resealable freezer bag.
• Alternatively, you can blanch the jalapeños before freezing by submerging them in boiling water for 30 seconds to 3 minutes, then plunging them into ice water.
• Frozen jalapeños will last for up to 10-11 months in the freezer.

Other Long-Term Storage Options:

If you're looking for even longer-term storage options, here are some additional methods:

• Pickling: Make a brine with vinegar, water, sugar, and salt, and pour it over the jalapeños in a glass jar. Seal the jar and store the pickled jalapeños in the refrigerator for up to two years.
• Canning: Wash the jalapeños, boil them for about three minutes, and pack them into sanitized glass jars with the cooking liquid. Boil the jars in water for about thirty minutes. Store canned jalapeños in a cool, dark, dry place for up to two years.
• Dehydrating: Slice the jalapeños and dehydrate them in a food dehydrator or an oven set to a low temperature (around 125-170°F) for several hours, until they are completely dry. Store the dehydrated jalapeños in airtight containers for up to a year.

Frequently asked questions