Shishito Pepper Recipe

Hey friends, welcome to the world of shishito peppers! Today, we're talking the ins and outs of these green wonders. From air fryer shishito peppers, to Shishito pepper dipping sauce recipes that will be on rotation!

Photo by Food Republic

What to Do with Shishito Peppers

Ever wondered what to do with shishito peppers? Relax, these peppers are like the easy-going friends of your kitchen-they blend in effortlessly with any dish. Snack on them solo, try my air fryer Shishito peppers, add to salads, or sprinkle them on your pizza. The possibilities are endless. But they are great dipped in sauces, and I have 4 sauces below for you!

How hot are Shishito Peppers?

Let's look into the Scoville Heat Units (SHU), the standard measure of spiciness. Shishitos typically range from 50 to 200 SHU. To put that into perspective, jalapeños average around 5,000 SHU. It's interesting to note that approximately 1 in 10 shishito peppers may hit the higher end of this spiciness spectrum, with the occasional spicy shishito measuring about 200 Scoville units.

The verdict on whether shishitos are truly spicy is a resounding "not really." These peppers offer a delightful mildness, with just a hint of occasional heat to keep things interesting. So, shishitos are likely to become a favorite in your culinary adventures if you're a fan of flavorful peppers without the overwhelming spice.

How Long Do Shishito Peppers Keep

They can hang around in the fridge for about a week.

Air fryer shishito peppers

Toss them in, set it, forget it, and enjoy the crispy goodness. It's the kind of simplicity that leaves you wondering why you haven't tried it sooner.

8 ounces shishito peppers
Olive oil cooking spray
Fresh lemon juice
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for 5 minutes.
Add the shishito peppers to the air fryer basket and spray with olive oil spray (you don't need very much, just a light spritz).
Air fry the shishito peppers at 400 degrees f for 8-10 minutes, or until the peppers are softened and blistered. Shake the basket halfway through cooking

Photo and Recipe by James Strange

Shishito Pepper Dipping Sauce

Now, onto the saucy side of life. Our shishito pepper recipe sauce options are here to add a touch of magic without the kitchen drama. From soy sauce simplicity to a Korean-inspired twist, these sauces are the uncomplicated heroes that elevate your pepper game effortlessly.

1) Classic Shishito peppers dipping sauce

3-4 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons fresh lemon or lime juice - (plus more to taste)
2 teaspoon rice vinegar
1 clove garlic - minced

Combine the ingredients for the dipping sauce in a small bowl. Taste and add more soy sauce or citrus juice if desired.

2) Korean Shishito Peppers Sauce

2 Tablespoons Gochujang Korean red pepper paste
½ teaspoon Gochugaru Korean red pepper powder
½ teaspoon Sesame oil
½ teaspoon sugar
2 cloves garlic finely minced
2 Tablespoons Water

In a small bowl mix together Gochujang paste, Gochugaru powder, Sesame oil, garlic, sugar and water.