These air fryer shishito peppers are a perfect party snack. They’re stuffed with indulgent bacon, cream cheese, Manchego cheese, and Cajun seasoning for the ultimate spiced bite. Plus, they’re small enough that you can justify having multiple completely guilt-free!

Although the rich and salty flavors are divine, it’s the signature char that makes these mild peppers shine. Not only does it add a subtle smokiness to the recipe, but they look super aesthetic too!

If this is your first time trying shishito peppers, you might be worried about the heat. Luckily for you, these peppers are small and relatively mild with a slightly sweet flavor. So, they’re the perfect entry pepper for sensitive tongues. And hey, you can always swap them out for jalapeños if you want more spice.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking for a reliable game night appetizer or something different to serve with turkey burgers or cheesesteaks. These cheese-filled delights are worth whipping up!

❤️ Why This Recipe Slaps

• The peppers come out perfectly tender and charred, which complements the savory, cheesy filling.
  
• It’s ideal for whipping up when you need a plateful of finger food filled with complex flavors.
  
• It works well as an appetizer or side dish.
  
• You can easily switch up your peppers with different fillings or dips if you’re a fan of customizing.
  
• It requires virtually no prep work and is ready in minutes
  
• This air fryer recipe​ is super easy, and cleanup is a breeze!
  
• You can prepare these little peppers ahead of time and store them in the freezer until you are ready to cook.

🗒️ Ingredients

It can be tricky to find shishito peppers, but most large grocery stores and Asian markets carry them. Check your specialty local grocery store to find the ingredients needed for this easy appetizer. Be sure to read the recipe card below for a printable list of ingredients and instructions.

• Shishito peppers. You should find this mild heat and slightly sweet pepper in the produce section of most grocery stores. If you prefer, head to Asian grocery stores or farmer’s markets for fresher selections. You can also substitute for jalapeño peppers if you prefer a kick.
  
• Cream cheese. I recommend using full-fat cream cheese for a creamier taste, but you can get away with low-fat.
  
• Manchego cheese. This cheese has a zesty and intense flavor (while being super crumbly yet buttery!). It’s great for adding a slightly salty and creamy edge to your peppers.
  
• Bacon. Make sure it’s crumbled and cooked! Virtually any bacon works, but thinner varieties will crisp up better.
  
• Smoked paprika. For a sweet and peppery taste that works beautifully with the Manchego and bacon.
  
• Garlic powder. Adds a savory flavor to the recipe that complements the slightly sweet paprika.
  
• Black pepper. Just a touch of some subtle spice.
  
• Kosher salt. The large grains are perfect for sprinkling. Plus, even a small amount brings out the mild natural flavors in air-fried shishito peppers.

👨‍🍳 How to Make It

Here is the quick and dirty run down on how to make this delicious appetizer. Scroll down to see the easy recipe card with detailed instructions, including the cooking time and additional notes.

1. Use a paring knife to make slits down one side of your shishito peppers.
   
2. Mix the cream cheese, bacon, Manchego cheese, and seasoning in a large bowl.
   
3. Place a small amount of the cheese mixture into each shishito pepper.
   
4. Once the cheese is in the pepper, pinch the sides to enclose the cheese mixture.
   
5. Place the shishito peppers in the air fryer in a single layer and cook them for 5-6 minutes until they’re blistered and charred. 
   
6. Place them on a serving dish and finish with sea salt and serve with lemon wedges, honey, or fruit preserves and enjoy!

😉 Tips For Success

• Because shishito peppers are generally mild, you can save a lot of legwork by keeping the seeds and ribs inside. You may find a particularly spicy pepper occasionally, but it’s uncommon!
  
• Don’t forget to cook your peppers cheese side-up. You don’t want the cheese melting into your air fryer and oozing out of the peppers. Keep that goodness IN.
  
• Give the shishito peppers a spray of olive oil while cooking. This will help the peppers cook better, give them a boost of flavor, and makes finishing salt stick to the peppers after they cook.
  
• It’s important to fully preheat your air fryer before adding the peppers. If you let the peppers cook slowly as your fryer heats, you’ll have a soggy mess on your hands.
  
• You’ll be chowing down on the entire pepper, so make sure you wash the skins properly before starting.
  
• To help your peppers cook evenly, give them a light toss halfway through the cooking process.
  
• To avoid any burning (not blistering!) keep a close eye on your peppers the first time you cook them.
  
• Make sure that your peppers aren’t overlapping in the air fryer basket. You need to cook these bad boys in an even layer to allow them to get that wonderful char.

🤔 Substitutions and Variations

• If you want to spice things up, you can serve this with a smoked queso dip or some guac.
  
• If you want, you can even air fry the small peppers separately (without cheese!) and serve them with soy sauce and sesame oil-based dip. Sprinkle on some sesame seeds for garnish. Oh, and they’re also amazing when dipped in a garlic aioli, like this donkey sauce!
  
• For extra tang, a squeeze of citrus is always a winner. Just add a small amount of lime juice or lemon juice to the peppers before serving.
  
• You can switch out the shishito peppers for jalapeños if you prefer smokier and spicier snacks! Just cut the tops of your jalapeños off instead of slicing them and stuff them with the cheese mixture.
  
• Although Manchego cheese is delicious, pepper jack or other spicy cheeses can be excellent substitutes.

🌶️ More Air Fryer Appetizers

When the party is heating up, throw together some appetizers to keep the rager going! These air fryer recipes are easy and always a hit!

• Air Fryer Onion Rings
  
• Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
  
• Air Fryer Oreos with Nutella
  
• Air Fryer Fried Pickles
  
• Air Fryer Turkey Wings
  
• Homemade Air Fryer Hot Dogs

⏱️ Storage and Reheating

These air fryer shishito peppers can be eaten hot or cold, making them the perfect appetizer. Eat them as-is for a perfect snack, throw the leftover peppers into salads, or enjoy them with sandwiches!

When it comes to storage, they should last in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container.

If you need to reheat them, microwave them in short increments or pop them in the air fryer!

I prefer the air fryer as reheating them at 360°F for 5 minutes usually does the trick.

❓ FAQ

🛠 Tools and Equipment

• Pepper Cannon
• Cosori Dual Blaze air fryer
• John Boos maple butcher block 
• This stunning New West KnifeWorks 3″ paring knife
• Avocado oil spray
• OXO silicone tongs
• OXO mixing bowls

🤤 Things to Serve with Shishito Peppers

• Reverse seared Traeger tomahawk ribeye
  
• Air fryer brat sandwiches
  
• Traeger smoked tri-tip
  
• Smoked bacon-wrapped meatloaf

🎁 Wrap Up

Sometimes, you just need a touch of heat and a whole lot of cheese in your life. So, whether you’re looking for a sumptuous side dish or a satisfying snack, these air-fried shishito peppers are a slam dunk!

💬 Tell Me What You Think!

Did you try out this recipe? Please leave a comment below and let me know how you liked it. Also, snap a picture and post it to your favorite social platform. Be sure to tag me at @alicensetogrill and let me know how you liked it!

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