Crispy Air Fryer Banana Pepper Coins: A Zesty Snack (Print Version)

Get zesty Crispy Air Fryer Banana Pepper Coins! This quick snack is crunchy, tangy, and so easy to make. Perfect for game day or a simple, flavorful bite.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Main Components

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

→ Flavor Boosters

05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

→ Seasonings & Oil

07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
09 - Cooking spray (avocado or olive oil)

# Instructions:

01 - Alright, first things first! Grab your jar of banana pepper rings and drain them really well. I mean, *really* well. Excess moisture is the enemy of crispiness, you know? I usually dump them into a colander and let them sit for a good five minutes while I gather everything else. Sometimes I even give them a gentle pat with a paper towel, just to be sure. You want them as dry as possible for those truly Crispy Air Fryer Banana Pepper Coins.
02 - This is where things can get a little messy, but it's part of the fun! Set up three shallow dishes. In the first, put your flour. In the second, whisk those eggs. And in the third, combine the panko breadcrumbs with the garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Give the panko mix a good stir to distribute those spices evenly. I always line my counter with parchment paper for easy cleanup, because flour *will* escape, trust me!
03 - Now for the hands-on part! Take a few banana pepper coins at a time (don't overcrowd them, we're not making a pepper mountain!). First, dredge them in the flour, shaking off any extra. Then, dip them into the egg wash, letting any excess drip off. Finally, press them gently into the panko mixture, making sure they're fully coated. Lay them on a clean plate or baking sheet. This is where I sometimes get impatient and make a bigger mess than necessary, oops!
04 - While you're breading, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). This step is crucial, honestly! A properly preheated air fryer ensures that the coins start crisping up immediately, giving you that perfect golden exterior. Don't skip it; I once did, and the first batch was a bit soggy, which was a real bummer. It takes about 3-5 minutes, so just enough time to finish up your breading.
05 - Lightly spray the bottom of your air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the breaded banana pepper coins in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the basket. You might need to do this in batches, and that's totally fine! Lightly spray the tops of the coins with a bit more cooking spray. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they're beautifully golden brown and super crispy. The smell in your kitchen will be amazing, I promise!
06 - Once they're done, carefully remove the Crispy Air Fryer Banana Pepper Coins from the basket. They'll be hot, so watch your fingers! Transfer them to a serving platter and serve immediately. They're at their absolute best fresh out of the air fryer, with that incredible crunch. A little dip on the side? Chef's kiss! I usually sneak one or two right off the tray, just for quality control, you know?

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket; they won't crisp up properly, I learned that the hard way.
02 - Make sure your banana peppers are as dry as possible before breading, seriously, it makes all the difference!
03 - A light spray of oil on the breaded coins before frying helps achieve that beautiful golden color and extra crunch.
04 - Serving these with a zesty aioli or sriracha mayo takes them to the next level, trust me!

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Air Fryer
02 - shallow dishes
03 - colander
04 - whisk
05 - serving platter

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 150
Total Fat: 7g
Total Carbohydrate: 15g
Protein: 5g

Back