Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Air fryer banana peppers deliver restaurant-quality results with minimal effort and maximum flavor. The air fryer creates a perfectly crispy exterior while keeping the peppers tender inside, without the need for deep frying in oil. This healthier cooking method reduces calories while amplifying the natural sweetness of banana peppers. The simple seasoning blend enhances their mild, tangy flavor without overpowering it. Plus, this recipe is incredibly versatile – serve them as an appetizer at parties, pair them with your favorite dipping sauce, or add them to sandwiches and salads for extra crunch.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 lb fresh banana peppers or sweet peppers, sliced and seeds removed
- Olive oil spray
How to Make Air Fryer Banana Peppers
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Peppers Wash the banana peppers thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels. Remove the stems and slice the peppers into rings, approximately ¼ to ½ inch thick. Remove all seeds and white membrane for a milder flavor, or leave some seeds if you prefer a bit more heat.
Step 2: Create the Coating Mixture In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, ground black pepper, and sea salt. Whisk the ingredients together until evenly distributed.
Step 3: Coat the Peppers Add the sliced banana peppers to the flour mixture. Toss thoroughly to ensure each pepper slice is completely coated with the seasoned flour. Shake off any excess coating.
Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes.
Step 5: Arrange and Spray Place the coated pepper slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t overlap. You may need to cook in batches depending on your air fryer size. Lightly spray the peppers with olive oil spray to promote browning and crispiness.
Step 6: Air Fry Cook the banana peppers for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking time. The peppers should be golden brown and crispy when done.
Step 7: Serve Remove the air fryer banana peppers immediately and serve hot for the best texture and flavor.
Helpful Tips
Choose fresh, firm banana peppers for the best results. Avoid peppers that are wrinkled or have soft spots. Make sure to dry the peppers completely after washing to help the coating adhere properly. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket – cooking in batches ensures even browning and maximum crispiness. For extra flavor, experiment with additional seasonings like paprika, onion powder, or Italian herbs mixed into the flour coating. If you prefer spicier peppers, leave some seeds intact or mix in a pinch of cayenne pepper with the flour mixture.
Details
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Difficulty: Easy
Equipment: Air fryer, large mixing bowl, measuring cups and spoons
