These air fryer shishito peppers are perfectly tender and blistered. And best of all, they’re ready in under 10 minutes! I recommend serving them with this super delicious garlic lemon dipping sauce that can be made with mayo or plain greek yogurt. They’re a quick, easy, and tasty vegetarian appetizer that's healthy, too!
Table of Contents
Backstory
When I first had shishito peppers, I was doing a cooking residency at the Basque Culinary Center in San Sebastian.
Over there, they were typically served as a side dish/appetizer with fresh cut salted tomatoes and a large grilled T-Bone steak.
The combo was so simple yet so decadent.
Still to this day, whenever I eat shishito peppers, I think of my time in Spain and it makes me happy.
So I always get extra excited when I see them on the shelves at Trader Joes and sometimes Publix.
When I first started making shishito peppers, the air fryer wasn't even around!
To make them, I used to always switch between the stove top and the grill.
For the stovetop, I'd get a big wok super hot and add a little oil.
As for the grill, i'd toss the peppers in oil and throw them on a flaming hot grill.
With both methods, I'd cook for a few minutes until the skins started blistering and charring.
To be honest, these methods are just as easy as air fryer shishito peppers but I love that i'm not splattered with grease or smelly from the grill or wok.
What's so great about the air fryer is that it cooks them from all sides so they're evenly cooked and perfectly tender.
And since I don't have to constantly move them around, I have time to make the dipping sauce as they cook.
Ingredients and substitutions
**Scroll to the bottom of this post for exact measurements on my printable recipe card**
For the Shishito Peppers
- Shishito Peppers - These long, thin, and bright green peppers are the star of the dish. You can find them seasonally at most grocery stores. Some are hot and some are not which is part of the fun!
- Olive Oil - I like using olive oil but you could totally use another oil like avocado or sunflower.
- Kosher Salt - I always recommend using kosher salt when cooking. It makes the food taste more like the food rather than just "salty".
- Flaky Salt - If you don't have Maldon, you need to order it! Any time you get shishito peppers at a restaurant, they're topped with crunchy salty flake. It's the best stuff and I highly recommend that everyone has some!
For the Dipping Sauce
- Mayo or Plain Greek Yogurt - Feel free to choose mayo or greek yogurt depending on your taste buds! In this recipe, I used mayo but I love it with greek yogurt, too!
- Lemon Juice - fresh lemon juice is best but bottled will work ok.
- Garlic Paste - we're talking about smooth garlic paste. You can make this yourself or buy a little tube in the produce section by Garden Gourmet!
- Salt and Pepper - kosher salt and fresh cracked rainbow peppercorns are my fav!!
How to make them
You'll be shocked at how easy making shishito peppers in the air fryer is!
To begin, preheat your air fryer if necessary.
The air fryer I have doesn't require this but I know a lot of them do!
Then you'll just want to toss your shishito peppers with oil and a little bit of salt.
Place the shishito peppers in the air fryer basket and make sure that they're spaced evenly apart.
Cook on high at 400F degrees for 6 minutes, tossing half way through.
While they're cooking, mix up the dipping sauce.
Combine the mayo or greek yogurt, half the lemon juice, the garlic paste and salt and pepper in a small bowl and set aside.
Once the the peppers are done, put them on a serving platter and sprinkle with more lime juice.
Finish with a sprinkle of flaky salt and serve immediately!
What if you don't have an air fryer?
If you don't have an air fryer, go get one! Lolol just kidding, just kidding.
If you don't have one, no worries! You can make this exact recipe either on the stove top, under the broiler on on a grill!
The method is the same.
First toss shishito peppers with olive oil and salt. Then follow the instructions below and finish the same way as the air fryer recipe.
Stove top
Grab a large pan and crank your heat to high. Add the oiled peppers and cook for a few minutes until the skin is charred and blistering. Be sure to stir often so they cook on all sides.
Broiler
Turn your broiler on and arrange oiled peppers on a sheet pan. Broil on high for a few minutes or until the peppers begin to blister. Flip them over and blister the other side.
Grill
Get your grill hot then add shishito peppers right on top of your grill grates. Cook for a few minutes, turning often, until peppers are tender and charred.
Are they spicy?
A lot of people are wondering if Shishito Peppers are super spicy. And for good reason!
In my experience, most shishito peppers are pretty mild. And even the spiciest of ones don't even compare to a jalapeno.
Sure, I have had one or two that have completed destroyed me but for the most part, they're pretty average on the spice level.
I have started to notice that the larger peppers, which have more seeds, tender to be spicier.
What's fun about them is that you never know if you're going to get a hot one or not!
Other dipping sauces
If you're looking for more shishito pepper dipping sauces, here are a few more ideas!
- Sesame Peanut Sauce
- Ginger Carrot Dressing
- Avocado Ranch
- Chipotle Hummus
- Tzatziki
What to pair them with
You could pair these as a side dish for these crispy baked buffalo tofu wings or with these tasty Tampa style Cuban Sandwiches.
If you want more tasty recipes for your air fryer, try these air fryer potato wedges, these air fryer breakfast potatoes or these air fryer asparagus!
Save this recipe for later
Don't want to forget about this recipe?! Save it for later on your pinterest!
Simply hover over any of the images (I prefer the ones right below here!) and click "pin". Save it to whatever board you'd like and that's it!
And be sure to follow me on pinterest for daily inspiration!
Video
Recipe
Recipe
Air Fryer Shishito Peppers with Garlic Lemon Dipping Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
Air Fryer Shishito Peppers
- 2 cups shishito peppers
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- 1 pinch flaky salt such as maldon
Dipping Sauce
- 4 tablespoon mayo or plain greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic paste or 1 finely minced garlic
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 if needed.
- Toss shishito peppers with oil and kosher salt in a medium sized bowl.
- Place oiled peppers in the air fryer basket and cook for 6 minutes - tossing halfway through.
- Meanwhile, make the dipping sauce. Combine mayo or yogurt, half the lemon juice, garlic paste and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Stir and set aside.
- Once the shishito peppers are blistered and tender, remove from the air fryer basket and plate. Drizzle with the remaining lemon juice and flaky salt.
- Serve with the dipping sauce immediately.
Nancy
These were perfect!! So good in the air fryer vs the oven. I used mayo for the sauce base. 🙂
Chrissy
Seriously so good! Will be adding to my regular rotation!!