Air-Fryer Shishito Peppers: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Shishito peppers are a tasty, healthy treat that can be cooked in an air fryer in under 10 minutes. They are a great appetizer or side dish, and can be served with a variety of sauces and seasonings. The peppers can be purchased at most grocery stores and farmers' markets, and can also be grown at home. They are known for their mildly tingly, sweet flavour with a hint of smokiness, and about one in ten peppers is spicy. This easy recipe is a great, low-calorie snack that can be made by any level of cook.

How to season shishito peppers after air frying

After air-frying your shishito peppers, you can season them in a variety of ways. A popular choice is to sprinkle them with flaky sea salt and lemon zest. You can also add some sesame oil and seeds for an Asian-style flavour. For a spicier option, add some red chilli flakes. If you're feeling adventurous, try using lime zest instead of lemon, or even add some crispy bacon crumbles!

For a savoury flavour, toss the peppers with freshly minced garlic and shallots halfway through the cooking time. You can also experiment with different seasonings like Cajun seasoning or Japanese togarashi. If you want to add a nutty flavour, try using sesame oil instead of olive oil, and sprinkle on some sesame seeds, bonito flakes, or furikake. For a citrusy twist, garnish the peppers with lime juice and a pinch of ground cumin.

Don't forget to serve your shishito peppers with a dipping sauce on the side. A simple combination of soy sauce and citrus juice will do the trick, or you can get creative and make a sauce with rice vinegar, fresh garlic, and citrus juice. If you're a fan of heat, add some red chilli flakes to your sauce.

When it comes to seasoning shishito peppers, the possibilities are endless. Experiment with different flavours and find your favourite combination!

How to store leftover shishito peppers

To store leftover shishito peppers, place them in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to four days. If you want to keep them for longer, you can freeze them. To do this, place the uncooked peppers in a freezer-safe bag and store them in the freezer for up to six months. When you're ready to cook the frozen peppers, allow them to defrost overnight in the fridge or for a few hours at room temperature. It's important to ensure they are fully defrosted before cooking, as they will become soft and mushy if you cook them straight from frozen.

If you have freshly picked shishito peppers, you can store them in the refrigerator for 10-14 days. It is best to keep them uncovered, as storing them in plastic containers or bags will trap air inside and cause them to spoil quickly. If you can't eat them within this time, you can chop them into small pieces and freeze them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They will last for 10-12 months in the freezer and can be added straight to recipes such as soups and tacos.

How to reheat leftover shishito peppers

You can store leftover shishito peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To reheat, it is recommended to use an air fryer set to 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes. You can also use an oven or toaster oven at the same temperature and cook for 5 to 10 minutes. If you are short on time, you can use a microwave and heat the peppers for 60 to 90 seconds.

When reheating, the peppers are best served at a warm temperature. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavor and balance the spice.

If you are preparing a large batch, it is recommended to cook the peppers in two batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. This will ensure that the peppers get crispy and are not soggy.

How to prevent shishito peppers from popping in the air fryer

To cook shishito peppers in an air fryer, start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F for 3-5 minutes. Then, spritz the peppers with olive oil or avocado oil and transfer them to the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer. Air fry for 7-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The peppers are done when they are soft and slightly charred and blistered.

Shishito peppers may pop in the air fryer due to the release of moisture as they cook. To prevent this, poke a small hole in the skin of each pepper before air frying. It is also recommended to cook the peppers in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, which can prevent them from getting crispy.

Additionally, you can spritz the peppers with lemon juice or a dipping sauce, such as creamy garlic aioli, to enhance their flavour. For a savoury flavour, toss the peppers with freshly minced garlic and shallots halfway through the cooking time. You can also experiment with different seasonings, such as togarashi (a Japanese seasoning blend made from dried chilli peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, dried orange peel, sesame seeds, and dried seaweed flakes), sea salt, or red chilli flakes for a spicier dish.

Shishito peppers are a delicious and healthy snack, packed with vitamins and minerals, and can be easily prepared in an air fryer with just a few simple ingredients.

How to prevent shishito peppers from overlapping in the air fryer

To prevent shishito peppers from overlapping in the air fryer, it is recommended to cook them in batches. This ensures that the peppers are arranged in a single layer and can cook evenly and get crispy. It is also important to note that overcrowding the air fryer basket can affect the crispiness of the peppers. Therefore, if your air fryer is too small, cooking in batches is the best option.

Additionally, it is suggested to shake the basket halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and prevent overlapping. This allows for the peppers to be tossed or shaken, creating a more dynamic cooking environment that avoids piling or clustering.

To further enhance the cooking process and prevent overlapping, it is advised to preheat the air fryer. Preheating ensures that the cooking time remains consistent and effective. By preheating, you create an optimal temperature environment for the peppers to cook evenly and efficiently, reducing the risk of overlapping or uneven cooking.

Moreover, it is worth noting that while some overlapping is acceptable, it is ideal to minimize it as much as possible. A slight overlap may occur, but air frying too many peppers at once can hinder their ability to crisp up uniformly. Therefore, managing the number of peppers and ensuring a single layer arrangement is crucial to prevent overlapping and achieve the desired crispiness.

In summary, to prevent shishito peppers from overlapping in the air fryer, cook them in batches to ensure a single layer, shake the basket halfway through, preheat the air fryer, and manage the number of peppers to avoid overcrowding. By following these steps, you can achieve evenly cooked and crispy peppers without overlapping issues.

Frequently asked questions