Shishito peppers are a chef's favorite, and the air fryer delivers the same restaurant style charred edges and silky texture in 5 minutes or less. All you need is a drizzle of oil, a sprinkle of flaky salt, and a few minutes of cooking time to transform them into an alluring appetizer or side.
You might have seen these bite size peppers on the menu at a farm to table restaurant or tapas bar. Often deep fried and simply seasoned with salt and fresh lemon juice, this air fryer version is much simpler with the same effect.
Serve alongside boiled edamame pods, a very simple Japanese tofu salad, or broiled hamachi collars.
Ingredients
These ingredients are for the classic version of these peppers that are simply seasoned with lemon and flaky sea salt.
- Shishito peppers – Bright green, thin-skinned peppers with a mild, grassy flavor. Look for firm, glossy ones at the market.
- Substitute with other chefs' favorite summer peppers: padron peppers (similar in appearance to shishito but with smooth green skin) or Jimmy Nardello peppers (red, long, thin, sweet peppers).
- Olive oil or avocado oil – A light coating helps them blister and caramelize.
- Flaky sea salt – Maldon, fleur de sel, or any large-flake salt for a satisfying crunch.
- Optional finishing touches – Lemon wedges, soy sauce, ponzu, or Japanese togarashi for a spicy kick.
See recipe card for quantities.
What are shishito peppers?
Shishito peppers are a popular mild chili pepper often used in appetizers and snacks, especially in Japanese cuisine.
- They’re a Japanese variety, often served in Japanese izakaya restaurants as a bar snack.
- Roughly 1 in 10 peppers can be surprisingly spicy—nature’s built-in roulette.
- Low in heat: about 50–200 Scoville Heat Units (SHU).
- Shishito means “lion pepper” in Japanese, a nod to the tip’s resemblance to a lion’s head.
- Edible whole—eat seeds and all for easy, bite-size enjoyment.
Instructions
- Step 1: About 2 cups of shishito peppers will fit in an even layer of a 6 qt sized air fryer basket.
- Step 2: Depending on the size of the peppers, they will take anywhere from 2-5 minutes to cook at 400 degrees F.
Hint: You don't have to preheat the air fryer if you don't wish to, and it will turn out the same. I rarely, if ever, preheat the air fryer.
Variations
- Add a drizzle of soy sauce or ponzu for extra umami.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds or togarashi for a Japanese-inspired twist.
- Pair with a creamy dipping sauce like miso aioli or garlic yogurt.
Recipe
Blistered Air Fryer Shishito Peppers (5 min)
Ingredients
- 5 oz shishito peppers about 2 cups
- 2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 ea lemon wedge
- flaky sea salt to taste for me this is about ¼ tsp
Instructions
- Toss the shishito peppers with olive oil.
- Spread in an even layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 400 degrees F for 2-4 minutes. If they are small (about 1-2"), they shoudl only take about 2 minutes. If they are larger 2-4", they will take about 4 minutes.
- Remove from the air fryer once the pepper skins are soft and slightly charred.
- Season with flaky sea salt and squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Serve hot or at room termperature.
Notes
- Preheat the air fryer if you wish. I generally do not preheat.
- The shishito peppers should be thoroughly dry after washing, so the oil will stick evenly to the skin.
- Add a drizzle of soy sauce instead of flaky sea salt for extra umami after
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds or togarashi seasoning for a Japanese, spicy twist.
- Pair with a creamy dipping sauce like miso aioli or garlic yogurt.
Nutrition
Fortune Cookie
If you do not enter the tiger’s cave, you will not catch its cub.
Japanese proverb
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