Description
Craving something crispy, tangy, and wildly satisfying without the deep-fried guilt? These Air Fryer Banana Peppers are your new favorite snack! They’re crunchy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and air fried to golden perfection. Whether you need a quick appetizer, a game-day bite, or something to jazz up your sandwich, this easy recipe brings the flavor fast. It’s the perfect mix of quick snack, easy appetizer, healthy-ish fried food, and a fun twist on your usual food ideas.
Ingredients
1 cup banana pepper rings (drained and patted dry)
1 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup breadcrumbs (Panko or regular)
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking spray (for air frying)
Instructions
1. Drain banana pepper rings and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels.
2. Soak the dried rings in buttermilk for at least 10 minutes.
3. In a shallow bowl, mix together flour, cornmeal, breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Remove pepper rings from buttermilk, let excess drip off, then dredge them in the coating mixture. Press gently to ensure good coverage.
5. Preheat air fryer to 390°F (200°C) and spray the basket with cooking spray.
6. Arrange coated rings in a single layer in the basket, leaving space between them.
7. Spray tops with a bit more cooking spray.
8. Air fry for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
9. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Make sure to dry the peppers well before soaking in buttermilk—moisture makes them soggy.
Don’t skip the cooking spray; it ensures a crispy, golden finish.
You can prep and coat the rings ahead of time, just store them chilled for up to 2 hours before air frying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 3mg
Keywords: air fryer snacks, banana peppers, easy appetizer, crispy peppers, healthy snack