Last weekend we had some friends over to watch the game, and I completely forgot to plan an appetizer until they were practically pulling into the driveway. Jake was scrambling to set up the TV, Noah was having a toddler meltdown over a lost sock, and I was staring into the fridge hoping for a miracle. I grabbed a bag of fresh banana peppers I had bought on a whim and decided to experiment with the air fryer. Ten minutes later, I set down a platter of these golden, crunchy bites, and they vanished before the first quarter even started.
These Crispy Air Fryer Banana Pepper Coins are the ultimate quick, tangy, and totally addictive party snack. Fresh, vibrant banana peppers are tossed in a simple savory seasoning blend and air-fried until perfectly crisp and golden without any heavy oil or messy deep frying. This easy appetizer is naturally vegetarian, takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish, and delivers that perfect satisfying crunch. They are guaranteed to become your new favorite game day treat or weeknight craving.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: From slicing the peppers to sitting down with a bowl, this entire snack takes less than 20 minutes to make.
- Healthier Crunch: The air fryer delivers that incredible deep-fried texture using just a quick mist of olive oil spray.
- Pantry Staple Ingredients: You do not need anything fancy to make the savory coating, just basic flour and standard spices you already have.
- Perfectly Balanced Flavor: The natural tangy brightness of the peppers works beautifully against the warm garlic and black pepper crust.
- Crowd-Pleasing Appetizer: These are absolutely impossible to stop eating, making them the perfect zero-stress starter for parties or game days.
Ingredients You'll Need
The beauty of this recipe is how a handful of basic ingredients can completely transform fresh peppers into something extraordinary.
- 1 lb fresh banana peppers or sweet peppers — choose firm, bright peppers without any soft spots for the best crunch. You will need them sliced with the seeds removed.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour — this creates the base for the shatteringly crisp exterior.
- 2 tsps garlic powder — to give the crust a deep, warm, savory flavor profile.
- 2 tsps sea salt — crucial for drawing out flavor and balancing the natural tang of the peppers.
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper — for a very gentle background heat that does not overpower the dish.
- Olive oil spray — the secret weapon that helps the seasoned flour crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.
When shopping for banana peppers, look for ones that feel heavy for their size and have smooth, tight skin. If you want a fun visual mix, you can grab a combination of yellow, pale green, and even red sweet peppers if you can find them.
If you want to make this completely gluten-free, you can easily swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend. It crisps up just as beautifully in the air fryer and ensures everyone can enjoy them. [INTERNAL LINK PLACEHOLDER: loaded sweet potato nachos recipe]
Note: Allowing the coated pepper rings to sit undisturbed for exactly 5 minutes before frying is not optional. This brief resting period gives the natural moisture from the peppers time to hydrate the flour, essentially gluing the seasoned crust to the vegetable so it does not blow off in the air fryer.
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Banana Pepper Coins
This process moves incredibly fast, so I like to have my dipping sauces ready to go before I even turn on the air fryer. Let us get cooking.
Step 1: Prep your dry mixture.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, sea salt, and ground black pepper. Whisk everything together thoroughly until the spices are evenly distributed throughout the flour. This ensures every single bite has the perfect amount of seasoning.
Step 2: Preheat your machine.
Turn your air fryer on and preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Taking a few minutes to let the basket get properly hot makes a massive difference in how quickly and evenly the crust develops.
Step 3: Coat the peppers.
Toss your sliced and seeded banana peppers into the bowl with the seasoned flour mixture. Use your hands to toss them around, making sure every ring is completely and evenly coated. Let them sit in the bowl for exactly 5 minutes so the coating has time to set and adhere.
Lora’s Tip: If your peppers seem unusually dry after slicing, you can mist them very lightly with water or cooking spray before tossing them in the flour mixture to help the dry ingredients stick.
Step 4: Load the air fryer basket.
Arrange the coated banana peppers in the preheated air fryer basket in a single, even layer. Make sure they are not overlapping or crowded, working in batches if necessary. Spray them generously all over with the olive oil spray, making sure to hit both sides.
Step 5: Air fry until golden.
Cook the peppers at 350°F (175°C) for about 8 minutes. You are looking for a beautiful, deep golden brown color and a distinctly crispy texture on the edges.
Step 6: Cool and serve.
Carefully transfer the hot, crispy coins to a baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain any tiny bits of excess oil. Let them cool for 5 minutes so the crust finishes firming up, then serve them immediately with ranch dressing.
Lora's Kitchen Tips
- Slice Evenly: Try to cut your pepper rings to the exact same thickness, roughly a quarter-inch, so they all finish cooking at the exact same time.
- Never Crowd the Basket: The air fryer needs room to circulate hot air, so if you pile them on top of each other, they will just steam and get mushy instead of crispy.
- Be Generous with the Spray: Any spots of dry white flour left on the peppers will not crisp up, so make sure every piece gets a good misting of olive oil.
- Shake Halfway: For the most even browning, give the basket a gentle shake around the 4-minute mark.
- Check Early: Every air fryer runs a little differently, so start checking your peppers at the 6-minute mark to ensure they do not accidentally burn.
Variations and Substitutions
I love how easy it is to tweak this recipe based on what I have in the pantry or who is coming over to eat. Here are a few ways to switch things up.
Make it Gluten-Free: Swap the regular all-purpose flour for a high-quality 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour. The texture will be exactly the same, and the crust will still get beautifully golden.
Turn Up the Heat: If you want a spicier appetizer, add half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to your dry flour mixture before coating the vegetables.
Make it Cheesy: The second they come out of the hot air fryer, toss the crispy rings with two tablespoons of finely grated Parmesan cheese for a rich, savory finish.
Kid-Friendly Sweetness: Swap the tangy banana peppers for mini sweet bell peppers. The natural sugars in the sweet peppers caramelize slightly in the heat, making them an instant hit with little ones.
What to Serve with Crispy Air Fryer Banana Pepper Coins
These crispy little bites are absolute perfection when dunked into a creamy, cool dip. A classic buttermilk ranch dressing is my go-to choice, but they are also incredible dipped into a spicy sriracha mayo or a tangy garlic aioli. The contrast between the hot, crunchy pepper and a cold sauce is exactly what you want in an appetizer.
If you are building a full game day spread, these pair beautifully with heavier finger foods. I love serving them right alongside a big platter of sticky wings, some loaded potato skins, or a batch of these amazing little sliders. [INTERNAL LINK PLACEHOLDER: pull apart cheeseburger sliders recipe]
Storage, Freezing, and Reheating
- Storage: Keep any leftover cooled peppers in an airtight container lined with a dry paper towel in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Lay them flat on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months.
- Preventing Soggy Leftovers: The paper towel in the fridge container is vital because it absorbs the condensation that ruins the crust.
- Reheat in the Air Fryer: The absolute best way to reheat these is tossing them back in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 3 to 4 minutes until they are hot and crispy again.
- Never Microwave: Do not ever use the microwave to reheat these unless you want a plate of sad, rubbery vegetables.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the questions I get asked most about these Crispy Air Fryer Banana Pepper Coins:
Can I use jalapeños instead of banana peppers?
Yes, you absolutely can. Jalapeños will give you a significantly spicier bite, but the coating and cooking method will work perfectly. Just be very careful not to touch your eyes after slicing them.
Why did my coating fall off in the air fryer?
This usually happens if you skip the 5-minute resting period or if your air fryer fan is aggressively strong and you did not use enough olive oil spray. Letting them sit gives the flour time to hydrate and stick to the pepper.
Can I use almond flour instead for a low-carb version?
Almond flour does not crisp up the same way all-purpose flour does, so the texture will be a bit softer and grainier. If you want a low-carb option, try using crushed pork rinds mixed with a little parmesan cheese instead.
Can I prep these ahead of time for a party?
You can slice the peppers and mix your dry ingredients hours in advance, but do not actually coat the peppers until right before you plan to cook them. If they sit in the flour for too long, they will get gummy.
How do I double this recipe for a crowd?
You can easily double all the ingredients, but you must cook them in separate batches. If you try to cram two pounds of peppers into the air fryer basket at once, they will steam instead of frying.
These Crispy Air Fryer Banana Pepper Coins are proof that you do not need a deep fryer or a complicated recipe to make a restaurant-quality appetizer at home. The crunchy, savory crust and the tangy, vibrant pepper center create the ultimate satisfying bite. I hope you make a batch this weekend and come back to tell me how quickly they disappeared.
With love and way too much ranch dressing,
Lora x
Crispy Air Fryer Banana Pepper Coins
Ingredients
1 lb fresh banana peppers or sweet peppers, sliced and seeds removed
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsps garlic powder
2 tsps sea salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Olive oil spray
Directions
Whisk the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl until combined.
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
Toss the sliced and seeded banana peppers in the seasoned flour mixture until fully coated. Let them sit in the bowl for 5 minutes so the coating adheres.
Arrange the coated peppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Spray generously on both sides with olive oil spray.
Air fry for 8 minutes, or until the peppers are crispy and deep golden brown.
Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, let cool for 5 minutes, and serve warm with ranch dressing.
