Roasted to perfection in just 10 minutes, air fryer peppers are a fast, flavorful way to brighten up tacos, wraps, grain bowls, and more. They come out tender, a little bit charred, and full of smoky, savory goodness. Great for meal prep or throwing together as a quick side when you want something easy that plays well with whatever else is on the table.
Air fryer peppers are healthy in that sneaky, no-effort kind of way. It’s just fresh veggies, a splash of oil, and a handful of spices, but somehow the flavor ends up way bigger than you’d expect. I keep coming back to them because they’re an easy way to add more color and taste in one go.
Contents
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❤️ Why you will love this recipe
- Nothing fancy: Just bell peppers, oil, and pantry spices.
- Fast and easy: 5 minutes to prep, 10 minutes to cook, and gone in seconds.
- Versatile: Load them into tacos, wraps, bowls, pastas, salads, and more.
- Meal prep friendly: Easy to batch and easy to reheat.
- Vegan and gluten free: Fits almost any eating style without needing swaps.
- Naturally healthy: Full of fiber, flavor, and nothing weird.
🗝️ Key ingredients & substitutions
- Bell peppers: Use whatever you’ve got – red, yellow, orange or green. Red and yellow are sweeter, while green has a sharper, more savory flavor.
- Olive oil: Helps the peppers roast and brings out their flavor. Avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil both work well.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for drawing out moisture, boosting flavor, and adding a little heat.
- Smoked paprika: Gives a subtle smoky depth without overpowering. Regular paprika can be used if needed.
- Ground cumin: Adds warmth and a hint of earthiness.
- Optional extras: Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or a splash of balsamic vinegar all play nicely here if you want to mix it up.
🥣 How to make air fryer peppers
- Slice the peppers: Cut into ¾-inch strips and remove the seeds and pith.
- Toss with oil and spices: Add peppers to a bowl with olive oil, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and cumin. Toss until everything’s evenly coated.
- Add to basket: If your model needs it, preheat to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the peppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd them, as they need space to roast properly.
- Cook: Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even cooking.
- Check for doneness: They should be tender with a bit of char on the edges.
- Serve: Use immediately, or let them cool for meal prep. They work hot, warm, or room temp in just about anything.
🪄 Recipe notes & tips
- Cut evenly: Try to keep the pepper strips roughly the same size so they cook at the same rate.
- Customize the flavor: Swap in different spices or herbs depending on what you’re serving them with.
- Use a mixing bowl: Tossing the peppers in a bowl gives better coating than adding oil directly in the basket.
- Single layer only: Crowding the basket will steam the peppers instead of roasting them.
- Shake halfway: Tossing the peppers during cooking helps them roast more evenly.
- Check doneness early: Some air fryers run hot, so check around the 9-minute mark if it’s your first time.
🫙 Storage instructions
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Lay the peppers out in a single layer to freeze, then transfer them to a bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Pop them back in the air fryer or a skillet for a few minutes to bring back the texture.
- Meal prep tip: If you’re making a big batch, store the peppers plain and add extra seasoning later to suit whatever you’re serving them with.
✨ Variations
- Use different oils: Try avocado oil or flavored olive oils for a twist on the base flavor.
- Add onions: Slice up some red or yellow onions and toss them in with the peppers before cooking.
- Spice it up: Add chili flakes, cayenne, or chipotle powder if you want a little heat.
- Go herby: Toss with chopped fresh herbs like basil or parsley after cooking for extra freshness.
- Sweet and tangy: A drizzle of balsamic vinegar or lemon juice just before serving adds brightness.
- Mexican-style: Add garlic powder and chili powder before air frying to give the peppers a warm, spicy kick.
- Italian-style: Toss with Italian seasoning before cooking for a savory, herb-packed finish.
🍽️ What to serve air fryer peppers with
- Proteins: Pair with Air Fryer Chicken Legs, Instant Pot Black Beans, or Air Fryer Sausage Links.
- Grains and bowls: Add to Instant Pot Basmati Rice, quinoa, or Keto Chipotle Bowls for extra flavor and color.
- Wraps and sandwiches: Tuck into Chicken Fajitas, pita wraps, or pressed paninis.
- Salads and sides: Serve with a simple leafy salad, Sesame Broccoli, roasted potatoes, or corn.
- Pizza and pasta: Layer onto pizza, stir through Gluten-Free Italian Pasta Salad, or serve with any pasta dish.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Will my air fryer mess with the flavor of the peppers?
Not if your air fryer’s clean and running properly. Bell peppers actually do really well. They come out caramelized, a little smoky, and full of flavor.
Can I skip the oil completely?
I wouldn’t. Even just a little helps with browning and texture. No oil means steamed peppers that taste flat, not roasted.
😋 More air fryer sides you will love
- Air Fryer Diced Potatoes
- Air Fryer Carrots
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
- Air Fryer Acorn Squash
- Air Fryer Roasted Red Peppers
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Peppers Recipe
Roasted to perfection in just 10 minutes, air fryer peppers are a fast, flavorful way to brighten up tacos, wraps, grain bowls, and more. They come out tender, a little bit charred, and full of smoky, savory goodness. Great for meal prep or throwing together as a quick side when you want something easy that plays well with whatever else is on the table.
Ingredients
- 3 bell peppers any color
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Slice the peppers into ¾inch/2cm strips and remove the seeds and pith.3 bell peppers
- Add the peppers and remaining ingredients to medium sized mixing bowl and mix well.½ tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- Add the peppers in a single layer to the air fryer basket and air fry them at 400°F/200°C for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket half way through.
Notes
- Cut evenly: Try to keep the pepper strips roughly the same size so they cook at the same rate.
- Customize the flavor: Swap in different spices or herbs depending on what you’re serving them with.
- Use a mixing bowl: Tossing the peppers in a bowl gives better coating than adding oil directly in the basket.
- Single layer only: Crowding the basket will steam the peppers instead of roasting them.
- Shake halfway: Tossing the peppers during cooking helps them roast more evenly.
- Check doneness early: Some air fryers run hot, so check around the 9-minute mark if it’s your first time.
Storage instructions:
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Lay the peppers out in a single layer to freeze, then transfer them to a bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Pop them back in the air fryer or a skillet for a few minutes to bring back the texture.
- Meal prep tip: If you’re making a big batch, store the peppers plain and add extra seasoning later to suit whatever you’re serving them with.
Nutrition
Calories: 40kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 1gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 295mgPotassium: 195mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 2858IUVitamin C: 114mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 1mg
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