Fitness / March 9, 2024

Air Fryer Peppers

Your peppers will be the ‘belle’ of the ball with this Air Fryer Peppers recipe, which provides a quick and easy way to add flavor and nutrition to almost any entree.

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It wasn’t until I got an air fryer that I started to think of bell peppers as a dish that could be used for something other than a stir fry. I don’t know why; it just seems like, whenever I brainstormed a vegetable side dish for my meats, these colorful characters never came to mind.

Once I got an air fryer, though, and I started to scan every item at the grocery store and ask myself, Would this work? The possibility of the peppers popped up. The air fryer takes care of my sides and has made it possible for me to focus on my entrees. It’s a nice distribution of labor and takes some of the stress out of juggling numerous pots and pans.

What’s more, the peppers, thanks to their natural sweetness, provide so much flavor that I don’t need to spend very much time prepping them and garnishing them with powders and spices.

Want healthy and easy? It doesn’t get much better than this recipe.

Are Air Fryer Peppers Healthy?

Bell peppers are very healthy. Though the different colors vary in nutritional value, you’ll find they’re all low in calories and contain a multitude of vitamins, antioxidants, fiber and minerals. And cooking them in an air fryer usually means less oil. Given this is a simple recipe for a vegetable, you shouldn’t be surprised to learn they are suitable for most diets, including paleo, keto, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, Mediterranean, and whole30.

Does Bell-Pepper Color Matter?

In a word, yes. What separates green from yellow from orange from red is time and how far along they are in the ripening process. Green peppers aren’t fully ripe when they are harvested, which explains their slightly bitter taste. Yellow peppers are riper than green, though not as ripe as orange and red. They are softer than green peppers and sweeter. Orange peppers are riper than yellow, and bear a sweeter, almost fruity, taste. Red peppers are riper, sweeter (they have the highest sugar content), softer, and, in fact, more nutritious (they contain vitamin C and beta-carotene) than all the others.

INGREDIENTS

3 large bell peppers, sliced into ½-inch strips
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

Slice bell peppers and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper for seasoning.

Preheat

Warm up the air fryer.

Cook

Lay the peppers in the basket, avoiding overcrowding, and cook until they’re tender with a slight char.

Serve

Serve these colorful, blistered peppers as a delicious and healthy side dish.

DEVOUR!

FAQs & Tips

How do I store these peppers?

Let the peppers cool completely then store the peppers in an airtight container or a Ziploc bag. They will last in the fridge for up to three days. If you want them around longer, you can freeze them for up to five months. Remove as much air from the bag as possible before bidding them farewell. When it comes time to eat, let the frozen peppers thaw out completely in the fridge. You can then warm them back up in the air fryer, on the stove, or in the microwave.

Why aren’t my peppers blistering?

Blistered peppers is the goal. If they aren’t peeling from the heat, there’s a good chance you’ve overcrowded the air fryer. Doing so steams the vegetables instead of blistering them. Also, did you dry the peppers as much as possible before you cooked them? External moisture can prevent the blistering process.

Can I use regular salt, not kosher?

Sure. Kosher salt doesn’t contain iodine, which can affect its taste. Its crystals are also larger, which lend a more interesting texture to the peppers. Larger crystals are also easier to handle and measure out. If you’re not bothered about any of this, then table salt makes a decent substitute.

Can I season the peppers before cooking?

Yep. I stick to black pepper, but garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, and lemon/lime zest are just some of your options when it comes to adding a bit of extra flavor to your bell peppers.

Serving Suggestions

Peppers can go with so many entrees. Yes, you can follow my lead and use them as the basis for a stir fry, adding strips of steak to the equation, or you can cook an actual steak as the star on your plate. They are also a healthy option to serve alongside grilled chicken and fish. You can also add other vegetables to your air fryer and use the result as ingredients in fajitas.

Air Fryer Peppers

Your peppers will be the ‘bell’ of the ball with this Air Fryer Peppers recipe, which provides a quick and easy way to add flavor and nutrition to almost any entree.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Servings

Calories 218kcal

Author FoodFaithFitness

Ingredients

3 large bell peppers sliced into ½-inch strips
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Start with the bell peppers. Cut off the tops, remove the seeds and membranes and slice the peppers into ½-inch wide strips. It will help you get an even cooking.
In a mixing bowl, toss the bell pepper strips with the olive oil. Make sure each strip is lightly coated. This helps with the blistering process. Add the salt and ground black pepper, and toss again.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
Place the seasoned bell pepper strips in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Work in batches if necessary.
Air fry the peppers for 12 minutes. Don’t forget to give the basket a gentle shake halfway through. The peppers are done when they are tender and have charred edges.