Padron peppers are a classic tapas dish and this Air Fryer Padron Peppers recipe is made with just 4 ingredients and ready in only 8 minutes. A delicious salty pepper recipe that is perfect as a side dish or snack with a creamy dip.
As soon as you see padron peppers in the supermarket, grab them all and put them in the air fryer! Also known as Pimientos de Padrón, cooking padron peppers in the air fryer with a little oil and seasoning makes them perfectly crispy and full of flavour, in just 8 minutes.
If you have seen them before, but not picked them up because you are unsure how to cook padron peppers, then give this a try. Quick and easy and a total hands off method.
Looking for more air fryer recipes? Why not try our fluffy Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes, easy Air Fryer Greek Chicken or quick Air Fryer Boiled Eggs.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Padron peppers - These little green peppers are the star of the dish. If you can't find them, then Shishito Peppers work well too - these are more common in the U.S.
- Oil - Use a good quality olive oil for this.
- Salt and pepper - Generously season. You could use garlic salt for extra flavour.
Variations
If you wanted to add some extra flavour to these air fryer padron peppers, then a sprinkling of smoked paprika or red chilli flakes at the same time as the salt and pepper is delicious.
We also like to add some lemon zest on top just before serving to freshen them up a little.
If you want to make this a little bit special, then crumble some feta on just before serving.
How To Make Air Fryer Padron Peppers - Step by Step
Prep: Preheat your air fryer to 200°C/400°F.
- Step 1: In a mixing bowl, mix the peppers, oil, salt and pepper.
- Step 2: Put the coated peppers into the preheated air fryer basket.
- Step 3: Cook for 8 minutes and 200°C/400°F, shaking the basket half way through cooking. Remove with tongs and serve with a creamy dip.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Padron Peppers
This padron pepper recipe is the perfect addition to any tapas spread. We love them on our Easy Tapas Platter or check out these 10 Tapas Recipes that these air fryer padron peppers would be the perfect side dish to.
These don't have to be a side dish though, as I would happily snack on them. With some dip of course! Something creamy works well, like our quick Greek Yogurt Ranch, classic Sour and Cream Chive Dip, creamy Whipped Feta or our delicious Garlic Sauce.
Extra Tips
- I would recommend mixing the oil and seasoning on the padron peppers with your hands so that the oil gets all over the skin of the peppers to get them nice and crispy all over.
- You can easily double the recipe, if your air fryer is big enough. It doesn't matter if a few of them overlap, as you shake them halfway through. If your air fryer is small, then cook them in batches.
- I would recommend preheating your air fryer for a couple of minutes before putting the peppers in. This means the air fryer is really hot and the peppers start crisping up straight away and get those blisters on the pepper skin.
- You can sprinkle some extra coarse sea salt on when serving if you like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any leftovers can be stored in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can reheat them in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes.
No, we wouldn't recommend freezing air fryer padron peppers, because they don't have the best texture once defrosted and reheated.
You pick the pepper up by the stalk (stem) and bite off the whole pepper, leaving just the stalk behind with a few seeds attached to it.
Generally they are quite mild. But, sometimes you can bite into one that has a bit of a kick to it!
More Air Fryer Recipes
If you’ve tried these air fryer padrón peppers, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Air Fryer Padron peppers
Ingredients
- 250 g (9 oz) Padron peppers
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 pinch Sea salt
- 2 pinch Ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 200°C/400°F.
- In a bowl, mix 250 g Padron peppers, 1 tablespoon Olive oil, 2 pinch Sea salt and 2 pinch Ground black pepper.
- Put the coated peppers into the preheated air fryer.
- Cook for 8 minutes, shaking the basket half way through cooking.
Recipe Tips
- I would recommend mixing the oil and seasoning on the padron peppers with your hands so that the oil gets all over the skin of the peppers to get them nice and crispy all over.
- You can easily double the recipe, if your air fryer is big enough. It doesn't matter if a few of them overlap, as you shake them halfway through. If your air fryer is small, then cook them in batches.
- I would recommend preheating your air fryer for a couple of minutes before putting the peppers in. This means the air fryer is really hot and the peppers start crisping up straight away and get those blisters on the pepper skin.
- You can sprinkle some extra sea salt on when serving if you like.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
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