Blistered Air Fryer Shishito Peppers are smoky, slightly sweet, and delightfully mild. With only three ingredients, they’re quick and easy to prepare. Serve them with a simple garlic aioli for a tasty appetizer or snack everyone will love.
If you haven’t tried blistered shishito peppers from the air fryer, you’re in for a treat. These small peppers are mild—more like green bell peppers with a bit of character rather than true heat. When cooked they develop charred, smoky notes and a touch of sweetness that make them irresistible.
They make a fantastic appetizer for guests, a flavorful side, or a quick snack. Pair them with garlic aioli or your favorite dip and you’ll likely find people going back for seconds.
Why we love this recipe
- Blistered shishito peppers are full of bright, smoky flavor
- Perfect as an appetizer or a casual snack
- Ready in about 6 minutes in the air fryer
Ingredients and notes
- Shishito peppers
- Olive oil
- Salt
What are shishito peppers?
Shishito peppers are a popular mild pepper in Japan and are growing in popularity worldwide. They’re widely available year-round at grocery stores, specialty markets, and farmers’ markets. Besides being delicious, they provide vitamin C and other beneficial nutrients like potassium and manganese.
Are shishito peppers hot?
Generally, shishito peppers are very mild—much milder than jalapeños. It’s often noted that about one in ten peppers might be unexpectedly spicy, but most are mild. You can eat them whole, seeds and all, unless a recipe calls for deseeding (for example, when stuffing).
How to make air fryer shishito peppers
Scroll below for the printable recipe card and exact measurements.
Step one: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 3 minutes.
Step two: Rinse and dry the peppers if you like.
Step three: Toss the peppers with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt until evenly coated. You can use about 1 tablespoon olive oil for roughly 8 ounces of peppers, or use a light oil spray.
Step four: Arrange the peppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Step five: Air fry at 380°F for 6–8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until peppers are blistered and lightly charred. Occasionally a pepper may pop—if that happens, give the basket a shake and continue cooking.
Note: Air fryer models vary; adjust time as needed for your appliance.
Step six: Transfer the blistered peppers to a serving dish and serve immediately with lemon or lime wedges and your chosen dip.
Garlic aioli for air-fried shishito peppers
A simple garlic aioli pairs perfectly with blistered shishitos. It’s quick to mix and brightens the peppers.
For the garlic aioli:
- Mayonnaise (about 1/3 cup)
- Garlic powder or minced garlic (about 1/2 tsp powder or to taste)
- Lemon or lime juice (about 1 tsp)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Mix all ingredients in a small bowl until combined. Store leftovers refrigerated for a few days if needed.
How to store and reheat
Once cooled, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
To reheat, warm them in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for a few minutes until heated through—this helps preserve the blistered texture better than a microwave.
More air fryer recipes you’ll love
- Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
- Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
- Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms
- Air Fryer Garlic Steak Bites
Enjoy air frying? Share your results and tag your favorite air fryer recipes on social media.
Recipe
Air Fryer Shishito Peppers
Equipment
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 8 oz shishito peppers
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
Garlic Aioli
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (or minced garlic to taste)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3 minutes.
- Rinse and dry the peppers if desired.
- Toss peppers with olive oil and salt until coated.
- Arrange peppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 380°F for 6–8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until blistered and charred.
- Transfer to a plate and serve with garlic aioli and lemon or lime wedges.
For the Garlic Aioli
- Combine mayonnaise, garlic powder (or minced garlic), lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and mix until smooth.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for a few minutes to revive the texture.
Nutrition (approx.)
Calories: 175 | Total Carbs: 4 g | Protein: 0.2 g | Fat: 17 g