Description
These Crispy Air Fryer Banana Peppers are a tangy, crunchy snack that rivals any restaurant appetizer. By using the air fryer, you get golden-brown pepper rings with a satisfying crunch without the heavy grease of deep frying. With a savory garlic-seasoned coating and the natural zest of the peppers, this dish is the perfect finger food for game days or a unique side dish for your next burger night.
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh banana peppers (or sweet peppers), sliced into rings and seeds removed
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Olive oil spray (non-aerosol preferred)
Instructions
Mix Seasoning
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, sea salt, and ground black pepper. Whisk to distribute the spices evenly.
Preheat
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
Coat the Peppers
Toss the sliced banana pepper rings into the seasoned flour mixture until fully coated. Crucial Step: Let them sit in the flour for 5 minutes. This resting time allows the natural moisture of the peppers to seep out and bond with the flour, creating a batter-like crust without using eggs.
Arrange
Place the coated peppers in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overlap, or they will steam instead of crisp. You will likely need to cook in batches.
Spray
Spray the peppers generously with olive oil spray. Tip: Ensure you hit any white powdery spots. The flour needs the oil to turn golden and crispy.
Cook
Air fry for 8 minutes, or until the coating is golden brown and crunchy. Shake the basket halfway through if needed (spray again if you see dry flour after shaking).
Cool & Serve
Transfer the peppers to a baking sheet lined with paper towels to absorb any excess moisture/oil. Let cool for 5 minutes (they crisp up as they cool). Serve with ranch dressing.
Notes
The “Resting” Rule: Do not skip step 3! Since there is no egg wash in this recipe, the 5-minute rest is the only thing holding the flour to the pepper. If you rush it, the flour will blow off in the air fryer.
Spray Generously: If the finished peppers look chalky or white, you didn’t spray enough oil. Dry flour will not brown on its own.
Pepper Prep: For a milder snack, be sure to remove all the seeds and the white inner membranes, which hold most of the heat.
Storage: These are best eaten fresh. If you have leftovers, reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes to revive the crunch. Microwaving will make them soggy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Appetizer / Side
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of Recipe
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1180mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: air fryer banana peppers, crispy peppers, appetizer recipes, fried peppers healthy, game day snacks, vegetarian air fryer recipes, tangy snacks