Move over basic fries—these Crispy Air-Fried Banana Peppers are pure, irresistible snack magic! Each bite delivers a perfect crunch on the outside with bursts of tangy, sweet, peppery flavor on the inside. If you love a playful spin on game day classics or just want a simple, crowd-pleasing appetizer, this recipe is about to become your new obsession.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy Perfection Without Deep Frying: The air fryer gives you that golden, craveable crunch without the mess or oiliness of traditional frying.
- Addictively Snackable: Each bite bursts with savory seasoning and a gentle peppery zing—they’re impossible to stop eating!
- Easy, Everyday Ingredients: Simple pantry staples like flour and spices create a crazy-tasty coating that anyone can pull off, even on a busy weeknight.
- Perfect for Parties & Game Day: Whether you serve them solo or with your favorite dips, these Crispy Air-Fried Banana Peppers are an instant crowd favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This is one of those recipes where each ingredient truly shines—every element, simple as it seems, adds a layer of flavor, texture, or color that makes a difference. Gather these pantry staples and a handful of fresh banana peppers, and you’re halfway to snacking bliss.
- All-purpose flour: The flour forms the crispy, golden crust that hugs each pepper—don’t skip it!
- Garlic powder: Adds savory depth and a warm, garlicky aroma in every single bite.
- Ground black pepper: Brings gentle heat and lifts up all the other flavors.
- Sea salt: Rounds out the earthiness of the peppers and balances the finish.
- Fresh banana peppers or sweet peppers (sliced and seeds removed): These are the star—tangy, mildly spicy, and beautifully bright.
- Olive oil spray: Just a quick mist is all you need for perfectly crisp results, air fryer style.
Variations
This is such a fun, flexible recipe—don’t be afraid to put your own spin on it! Whether you’re customizing for heat, gluten-free needs, or just want to play with flavors, Crispy Air-Fried Banana Peppers will happily adapt to your cravings.
- Spicy Kick: Toss a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika into the flour for a bold, fiery twist.
- Gluten-Free Swap: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to keep the peppers just as crispy and delicious for everyone.
- Cheesy Delight: After air-frying, dust the hot peppers with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan for an irresistible, savory finish.
- Different Peppers: This recipe works great with mild Italian peppers or even jalapeños if you want more heat.
How to Make Crispy Air-Fried Banana Peppers
Step 1: Mix Your Coating
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, black pepper, and sea salt. Give this a quick stir so the seasoning is even—this is the secret to that lip-smacking, all-over flavor in every bite.
Step 2: Prep and Coat the Banana Peppers
Slice the banana peppers into rings and remove the seeds for the perfect mild-yet-tangy taste. Toss the peppers into the seasoned flour mixture, making sure every piece is well coated. Let the flour-dusted peppers rest for five minutes—that way, the coating sticks and forms a crave-worthy crust!
Step 3: Air Fry to Crunchy Goodness
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F for an even, crisp cook. Arrange the coated banana peppers in a single layer in the basket—don’t overcrowd! Mist them generously with olive oil spray (front and back) to guarantee an extra crispy crunch. Air fry for 8 minutes, or until everything is deeply golden and the edges are perfectly crisped.
Step 4: Cool and Serve
Carefully move the Crispy Air-Fried Banana Peppers to a paper towel-lined baking sheet. This helps soak up any extra oil while they cool for 5 minutes. Then transfer to your favorite serving platter, pair with creamy ranch or your dip of choice, and dig in while they’re still warm and crunchy!
Pro Tips for Making Crispy Air-Fried Banana Peppers
- Flour Coating Magic: Letting the flour-coated peppers rest before frying really helps the crust stick and get extra crunchy.
- Uniform Slices: Slice peppers evenly for consistent crispiness—thicker rings stay tender, thinner ones get extra crunch.
- Don’t Crowd the Basket: Give the peppers space in the air fryer so every bite crisps up—not steams!
- Generous Oil Spray: A thorough spritz on both sides guarantees that craveable, golden finish you want in your Crispy Air-Fried Banana Peppers.
How to Serve Crispy Air-Fried Banana Peppers
Garnishes
Give your Crispy Air-Fried Banana Peppers a pop of color and flavor with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley, chives, or even a dusting of smoked paprika right before serving. For bonus cheese lovers, a light shower of grated Parmesan makes everything feel extra celebratory.
Side Dishes
These peppers are incredible next to sliders, grilled hot dogs, or a platter of barbecue chicken wings. Serve them alongside celery sticks and carrot sticks with ranch dip—it’s a bright, fresh combo that balances the warmth and crunch of the peppers.
Creative Ways to Present
Line up the peppers like savory “fries” in a cone or jar for a playful twist. Or, pile them onto a charcuterie board as an unexpected crunchy element! For parties, try mini skewers threaded with air-fried peppers, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella balls—adorable and irresistible.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’ve got leftovers (lucky you!), let your Crispy Air-Fried Banana Peppers cool completely. Then store them in a paper towel-lined container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days—the towel helps absorb any excess moisture and keeps them from getting soggy.
Freezing
For longer storage, lay the peppers out in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to an airtight bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months—just know they’ll lose some crunch when thawed, but will still be delicious after a reheat in the air fryer!
Reheating
To bring back that signature crisp, air fry refrigerated or thawed banana peppers at 375°F for 3-4 minutes, shaking halfway through. They’ll bounce right back and taste almost as good as fresh out of the fryer!
FAQs
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Can I use hot peppers instead of banana peppers?
Absolutely! This recipe is super flexible—jalapeños or other mild peppers swap in beautifully, just keep in mind the level of spice. Slice the hot peppers thin and handle with care if you like a little heat in your Crispy Air-Fried Banana Peppers.
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Should I peel banana peppers before air frying?
No need to peel—just wash, slice, and remove the seeds. The skins tenderize in the air fryer and take on a wonderful texture that adds to the overall crunch of the finished dish.
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How do I keep the coating from falling off?
Make sure to let those coated banana peppers rest for five minutes before air frying—this helps the flour crust stick. Spritzing with olive oil spray right before cooking also locks in the coating for maximum crispiness.
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Can I double the recipe in my air fryer?
You can, but you’ll want to cook the Crispy Air-Fried Banana Peppers in batches so you don’t crowd the basket. Overlapping can lead to steaming instead of crisping, so keep it to a single layer for best results.
Final Thoughts
If you’re hunting for a unique snack that wins over guests and family every time, Crispy Air-Fried Banana Peppers are a must-try. They’re bold, crunchy, and so much fun to make together—give them a whirl and watch how fast they disappear!
Print
Crispy Air Fryer Banana Pepper Coins Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These crispy Air Fryer Banana Peppers are a delicious appetizer or snack that’s easy to make and full of flavor. The air frying method gives them a perfect crunch without all the oil typically used in frying.
Ingredients
For the Banana Peppers:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tsps garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tsps sea salt
- 1 lb fresh banana peppers or sweet peppers, sliced and seeds removed
- olive oil spray
Instructions
- In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, ground black pepper, and sea salt. Mix well.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350° F.
- Dip banana peppers into the seasoned flour, ensuring they are evenly coated, and let them sit for 5 minutes to allow the coating to set.
- Place the coated banana peppers in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Spray cooking oil all over the banana peppers on both sides.
- Air fry the banana peppers for 8 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
- Transfer the banana peppers onto a baking sheet lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
- Let the banana peppers cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with a side of ranch dressing for dipping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 920mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
