
Padrón peppers are a popular Spanish bar snack and classic tapas dish. They are typically served with a generous sprinkle of flaked salt and can be cooked in an air fryer in just a few minutes. This simple recipe is perfect as a side dish or snack and can be served with a creamy dip. In this article, we will outline the steps to cook Padrón peppers in an air fryer, as well as some variations and tips for customising the recipe to your taste.
Characteristics and Values Table for Air Fryer Padron Peppers
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Padron Peppers, Olive Oil, Salt, Garlic Salt, Chilli Flakes, Lemon Zest, Feta, Red Pepper Flakes, Vegan Feta, Smoked Paprika, Ground Black Pepper |
| Recipe | Wash and dry the peppers, toss with oil and seasoning, cook in air fryer for 5-8 minutes at 190-200°C/390-400°F, shaking the basket halfway through. |
| Serving Suggestions | Serve with a creamy dip, or as a side dish or tapas with a sprinkle of salt. |
| Calories | 54-213 kcal |
| Time | 8-15 minutes |
| Dish Origin | Spanish |
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What You'll Learn

How to cook padron peppers in an air fryer: ingredients and preparation
Air-fried padron peppers are a quick, easy, and tasty snack or side dish. This classic Spanish tapas dish can be made in minutes with just a few ingredients.
Ingredients
You will need:
- Padron peppers (about 200-250g)
- Olive oil (about 1-2 tbsp)
- Salt (coarse sea salt, flaked salt, or garlic salt)
- Ground black pepper (optional)
- Other seasonings (optional): Smoked paprika, red chilli flakes, lemon zest, or feta crumbles
Preparation
First, preheat your air fryer to 200°C/400°F. Then, wash and thoroughly dry the padron peppers. Next, drizzle or toss the peppers with olive oil and mix with your hands to ensure they are well coated. You can also add salt and pepper or other seasonings at this stage.
Once the peppers are prepared, place them into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook for about 5-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. The peppers are done when they are nicely browned and blistered.
Finally, remove the peppers from the air fryer and transfer them to a serving plate. Sprinkle with salt and any desired seasonings, such as smoked paprika or lemon zest. Serve immediately and enjoy!
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Step-by-step air fryer instructions
Air fryer Padrón Peppers are a simple, quick, and delicious vegan dish that can be served as an appetizer, side dish, or snack. Here is a step-by-step guide to making them:
Step 1: Prepare the Padrón Peppers
Wash and thoroughly dry the Padrón Peppers. You can use around 200-250 grams of peppers, which is roughly 400 grams raw in the air fryer basket.
Step 2: Mix with Oil and Seasonings
In a mixing bowl, drizzle the peppers with olive oil. You can add around 1-2 tablespoons of oil. Ensure that the peppers are well-coated by tossing or stirring them in the oil. You can also mix with your hands so that the oil gets all over the skin of the peppers, making them nice and crispy. For extra flavour, you can add seasonings like garlic salt, smoked paprika, red chilli flakes, or lemon zest at this stage.
Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C/400°F. This step is important as it ensures that the peppers start cooking and crisping up immediately.
Step 4: Cook the Peppers
Place the coated peppers into the preheated air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket, and cook in batches if needed. Cook for around 5-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking process. The peppers are done when they are nicely browned and blistered.
Step 5: Season and Serve
Remove the cooked peppers from the air fryer and place them in a serving dish. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt, flaked salt, or any kind of salt to taste. You can also add a squeeze of lime juice, vegan feta crumbles, or red pepper flakes before serving. Serve immediately and enjoy!
You can serve these air fryer Padrón Peppers as a traditional Spanish tapas dish or as a side to your favourite meals. They are a simple, tasty, and healthy option that can be prepared in just a few minutes.
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How to serve padron peppers
Air fryer padron peppers are a tasty and quick-to-make snack, side dish, or appetizer. They are a classic Spanish tapas dish, and a great addition to any tapas spread. You can serve them as a side with a potato omelette or a Spanish omelette, or with a dip.
To make padron peppers in an air fryer, toss the peppers in a mixing bowl with olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic salt, chilli flakes, lemon zest, paprika, or red pepper flakes. Put the coated peppers into the preheated air fryer basket and cook for 5 to 8 minutes at 200°C, shaking the basket halfway through. When the peppers are nicely browned and blistered, they are done. Remove them from the air fryer, place them in a serving dish, and sprinkle with sea salt or flaked salt. Serve and enjoy right away!
You can also add some extra ingredients to make the dish more indulgent. For a spicy version, add chilli pepper flakes. For a citrusy version, add a squeeze of lime juice. For a deluxe version, add vegan feta crumbles and red pepper flakes. You could also try drizzling with hot honey, or serving with a creamy dip.
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How to reheat leftover padron peppers
To reheat leftover padron peppers, use your air fryer. This is a super practical option for cooking leftover peppers. Set your air fryer to a temperature of 190º and heat the peppers for 3-4 minutes. You can also use a frying pan, but you won't get the same toasted result.
It is not recommended to freeze leftover padron peppers, as they do not retain the best texture once defrosted and reheated.
Leftover padron peppers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
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Alternative recipes and serving suggestions
Padrón Peppers, or Pimientos de Padrón, are a Spanish speciality and are synonymous with Spanish tapas. They are generally mild and green, but can get spicier and turn red as they ripen.
When it comes to alternative recipes and serving suggestions, there are several ways to switch up this classic tapas dish. For a spicy kick, add some chilli pepper flakes or smoked paprika. For a citrusy twist, add a squeeze of lime juice or some lemon zest. For a more luxurious, indulgent version, add some feta cheese crumbles and red pepper flakes. You could also try adding some lemon aioli or a creamy dip on the side, such as Greek yoghurt ranch, sour cream and chive dip, or whipped feta.
If you want to make this dish even more substantial, you could serve it with an array of plant-based tapas, or even some meat or fish dishes. It is the perfect sharable light appetiser, side dish, or snack.
Finally, if you can't get hold of Padrón Peppers, don't worry! Shishito Peppers make a great substitute and are very similar in flavour.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes between 5 to 15 minutes to cook padron peppers in an air fryer. However, most recipes recommend cooking them for around 8 minutes at 200°C/400°F.
You will need padron peppers, olive oil, and salt. Some recipes also suggest adding black pepper, garlic salt, chilli flakes, lemon zest, paprika, or feta cheese.
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C/400°F. Wash and dry the padron peppers, then toss them in a bowl with olive oil, salt, and any additional seasonings. Place the coated peppers into the air fryer basket and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Remove the peppers from the air fryer, sprinkle with additional salt if desired, and serve immediately.
Padron peppers cooked in an air fryer make a great tapas dish or appetizer. They can be served with a creamy dip or alongside other tapas dishes.











































