Crispy Air Fryer Banana Pepper Coins: My Snacky Obsession (Print Version)

Crispy Air Fryer Banana Pepper Coins are my new favorite snack! Get that tangy, crunchy bite without the deep-fry mess. Quick, easy, and so satisfying.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 12 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Main Cast

01 - 1 (16 oz) jar pickled banana pepper slices, well-drained
02 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs, whisked
04 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

→ Flavor Boosters

05 - 1 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1 tsp onion powder
07 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Air Fryer Essentials

10 - Olive oil spray

→ Dipping Delights (Optional)

11 - Ranch dressing
12 - Marinara sauce
13 - Sriracha aioli

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, drain those pickled banana pepper slices! Like, really, really drain them. I usually spread them out on a few layers of paper towels and then gently press another layer on top to wick away all that excess moisture. This is where I always get impatient, but trust me, it makes all the difference for achieving truly Crispy Air Fryer Banana Pepper Coins. You want them as dry as possible so the breading sticks beautifully. I can practically smell the vinegar evaporating as I do this, getting ready for the transformation!
02 - Grab three shallow dishes, okay? In the first, put your flour. In the second, whisk those eggs until they're nice and uniform. In the third, combine your panko breadcrumbs with the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Give it a good stir to make sure all those flavor boosters are evenly distributed. This is where my kitchen usually starts to look like a science experiment, but it's a fun one! It’s all about creating that perfect coating for our Crispy Air Fryer Banana Pepper Coins.
03 - Now for the fun part! Take each banana pepper slice, one by one. First, dredge it in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg wash, letting any extra drip off. Finally, coat it generously in the seasoned panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure they stick. I usually do a few at a time, but honestly, it can get a little messy. My fingers are always covered by the end, but it’s a good kind of messy, you know? The smell of the seasoned panko is just wonderful at this stage!
04 - Go ahead and preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). This step is super important for getting that immediate crispiness when the peppers hit the heat. While it’s preheating, arrange your breaded banana pepper coins in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don't overcrowd it! This is a mistake I've made countless times; overcrowding means steaming, not crisping, and we want those truly Crispy Air Fryer Banana Pepper Coins. You might need to work in batches, and that's totally fine.
05 - Once your peppers are in the basket, give them a good, even spray with olive oil. This helps with browning and, you guessed it, crispiness! I usually get a little spray-happy here, making sure every surface looks lightly glistening. It helps achieve that golden-brown color we're aiming for. This little oil mist is what gives them that fried look without all the oil.
06 - Air fry for 8-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Keep an eye on them after about 8 minutes, because air fryers can vary! You're looking for a beautiful golden-brown color and a satisfying crunch. The kitchen starts to smell amazing right about now – savory with a hint of that tangy pepper. Once they're done, carefully remove your Crispy Air Fryer Banana Pepper Coins and get ready to devour them! They should be perfectly crispy and hot, a total snack dream.

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket; that's my biggest tip for crispiness!
02 - You can bread these ahead of time and store them in the fridge for a few hours. Just lay them on a parchment-lined tray so they don't stick.
03 - Tried using regular breadcrumbs once, and honestly, panko is worth the extra trip to the store for that crunch factor.
04 - A sprinkle of fresh parsley right before serving just makes them look extra special, even if it's just for me on the couch.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Air fryer
02 - shallow dishes for breading
03 - paper towels

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 180
Total Fat: 8g
Total Carbohydrate: 20g
Protein: 6g

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