Skip the skillet and make blistered shishito peppers in your air fryer. These mild and sweet Japanese peppers are ready to eat in 5 minutes.
The first time I had shishito peppers was at an Izakaya restaurant. These casual Japanese establishments typically serve small plates for sharing that pair well with beer, sake, or cocktails.
When I first starting buying them, I used to saute them in olive oil in a cast iron pan until lightly blistered and charred. But later I discovered how quick and easy they are to make in an air fryer with a fraction of the oil.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- It only takes 5 minutes to cook the peppers.
- You only need a few spritzes of oil.
- It's a delicious snack, starter, or side dish.
Ingredients
The main ingredients you'll need to make this recipe are shishito peppers, cooking spray, and salt, preferably large flake. You may want to also have some fresh lemon or limes, tamari or soy sauce, and furikake on hand for serving.
Furikake is a Japanese seasoning typically made with nori seaweed, toasted sesame seeds, and salt. It's used to flavor rice, vegetables, and other dishes. However, some blends contain fish/seafood products and sugar, so be sure the check the label before purchasing.
Organic Furikake from Japan
- Blend of salt cured toasted black sesame seeds, toasted white sesame seeds, and green nori flakes
- Organic and vegan
- Sprinkle on anything for extra pop of flavor and satisfying crunch
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Instructions
- Place the shishito peppers in the air fryer basket.
- Spritz with a little cooking spray and shake the basket to evenly distribute.
- Air fry, shaking half way through, until the peppers are blistered and lightly charred in areas.
- Place the peppers on a serving dish and generously sprinkle with salt.
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Serving suggestions
While delicious eaten simply with a sprinkle of salt, you can also try one of these flavorful options:
- Serve with a dipping sauce made fresh lime juice and tamari.
- Sprinkle with Furikake seasoning.
- Squeeze a lemon or lime over the peppers before serving.
This recipe is perfect anytime you want a snack. It also pairs well with other appetizers for parties. Or try it with these other Japanese-inspired recipes:
Storing
This dish should be enjoyed right away. The cooked peppers don't store well and will get mushy.
FAQ
Named after the resemblance of tip of the pepper to a lion's face, shishitos are sweet rather than spicy. However, every once in a while, you may find one that has a little kick.
While it's more common to eat them cooked, shishito peppers can be eaten raw, just like bell peppers.
They are available year round, but they are in peak season in summer and early fall.
With their rise in popularity, it's common to find these Japanese peppers at farmers markets, online from Imperfect Foods, and at stores like Trader Joe's.
When stored in a paper or plastic bag, these peppers will last up to 2 weeks refrigerated.
Once prepared in your air fryer or in a skillet, they should be enjoyed right away. They don't store well and will get mushy.
Pick one up by the stem, eat the pepper, including the seeds, and then discard the stem. Repeat.
More easy air fryer recipes
Looking for more ways to use your air fryer? Try some of these vegan favorites:
Do you love air frying?
Whether you are new to using this handy appliance or experienced and looking for more recipes, check out my recommendations for the best air fryer cookbooks for vegans.
And for even more recipes, join the Vegan Mediterranean Diet Recipes Facebook group for support, inspiration, and fun.
If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars! ★★★★★
📋 Recipe
Air Fryer Shishito Peppers
Ingredients
- 1 dry pint shishito peppers, (about 20 peppers)
- cooking spray
- salt , to taste (large flake, if available)
Instructions
- Place the shishito peppers in the air fryer basket.
- Spritz with a little cooking spray and shake the basket to evenly distribute.
- Air fry for 5 to 6 minutes at 390 degrees, shaking half way through, until the peppers are blistered and lightly charred in areas.
- Place the peppers on a serving dish and generously sprinkle with salt. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Serve with a dipping sauce made of 1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice combined with 1 teaspoon tamari.
- Sprinkle with Furikake seasoning. (Be sure the check the ingredients to make sure it's vegan since some blends contain fish/seafood products.)
- Squeeze a lemon or lime over the peppers before serving.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
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Lauren
This is my first ever food review because this recipe makes the old way of doing these little peppers obsolete. This is 1,000x easier and healthier. I have always loved shishito peppers, but felt a little guilty using 2-3 tablespoons of oil to char them in. This is a few spritzes of PAM Olive Oil spray and they come out JUST AS GOOD. I will never do them another way. Thank you!
Amy Katz
I am so happy you enjoyed the recipe, Lauren! I only make shishito peppers in my air fryer now, too.
Suee33
I love Shishito peppers, I grow them and still buy them. This is the best way to cook them, thank you for the idea!! This is so easy and so tasty, you give nothing up fixing them in the air fryer versus a pan or the grill. Easy, fast = GREAT!! Thanks too for the tips for finishing an eating, bought some vegan Yuzu Furikake to try on them!! Yummy!!
Amy Katz
I'm so glad you like this method, too! That Yuzu Furikake sounds delicious!
Leslie
Why didn’t I ever think of air frying shishitos before? It’s so easy this way. You don’t have to worry about them burning. I used some flake salt from Portland. So yummy.
Amy
I'm so glad you enjoyed them, Leslie!