Shishito peppers are the Russian Roulette of appetizers - they are perfectly mild, until they aren't! Catching that chance makes them a fun addition to any tapas spread, if you're willing to take the risk.
What do shishito peppers taste like?
Mild and slightly grassy, these peppers have a tender flesh and slightly sweet flavor. But watch out - 1 out of 10 that have a slightly spicy kick! Although even the spiciest shishito peppers are only a 1,000 on the Scoville heat unit scale, which is less than half the heat of your average jalapeno, so they shouldn't blow away most people even at their spiciest.
One of the best things about blistered shishito peppers is how SIMPLE they are to make. Air Fried Shishito Peppers are pretty much set it, shake it, forget it! You can make shishitos on the stovetop too, you just need to watch them a little bit more. I've included instructions for both at the end of this post.
To serve, I put out a dipping sauce or two, and BAM: a simple, healthy appetizer that everyone can enjoy and took me practically zero effort.
Shishito Pepper Dipping Sauces:
The mild flavor of these peppers makes them wonderful for serving with any number of dips. Some of my personal favorites include:
- Romesco
- Lemon Aioli
- Tzatziki
- Hummus thinned out with a little lemon juice and olive oil (to make for easier dipping)
Blistered Shishito Peppers
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces fresh shishito peppers rinsed and dried
Instructions
- Toss the peppers in the olive oil and salt until coated.
To make Air Fryer Shishito Peppers:
- Air Fry for 10 minuntes at 400°F, shaking once halfway through the cooking time (5 minutes in)
To make Shishito Peppers on the stove:
- Heat a large, heavy bottomed skillet over medium high heat. Add the oiled and salted shishito peppers. Cook for 2 - 3 minutes, or until the peppers begin to blister. Flip the peppers and cook the other side for 2 - 3 minutes until it blisters, and serve.
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