Air Roasted Shishito Pepper Poppers Are a Fun Twist on a Classic Appetizer.
It’s football season, which means it’s time for football snacks. (It’s also The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City season, which also calls for snacks.) Pepper poppers are super popular, so how could they not be? They are filled with cheese and/or cured meats! Jalapeños are the most common vessel for peppers, with a noticeable but not overwhelming amount of fire. However, replace it with shishito and the snack becomes a game of popper roulette. (I played a game with the same name in college; very different result.)
If you’ve ever shared a bowl of blistering shishito, you know how this game can go: You might get five mild boys in a row, but the next pepper will be so unbearably hot that you’ll find yourself puffing. a glass of 4% milk. (Assuming you’re a freak like me who keeps whole milk for drinking.) That’s what makes shishito fun – the element of danger and the sense of surprise. And that’s why you should use them in pepper poppers, which can be made effortlessly in the air fryer.
Start by softening the cream cheese. Then add more cheese, some bacon and garlic powder. Stuff the peppers and place them in the air fryer for four minutes. Let them cool for a minute or two and then pop them in your mouth. Repeat until your soccer team (or Real Housewives of SLC team) is satisfied.
Shishito Pepper Poppers Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1/4 pound shishito pepper
- 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 ounce grated cheddar
- 2 pieces bacon, finely chopped
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Wash the peppers and set them aside to dry on clean kitchen towels or paper towels. (You can also drain them in a salad bowl.) Combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl.
Using a sharp knife, cut each pepper to create a 1-inch wide opening, then carefully pry it open to create a pocket. Place about 1 teaspoon of filling on each pepper—don’t overdo it.
Preheat air fryer to 375℉, place poppers in basket and cook for 4 minutes. Let cool for one minute before serving. Ranch dipping sauce is optional but highly recommended.