Padron peppers are a Spanish tapas favourite — blistered whole and showered with sea salt. The air fryer blisters them in 7 minutes, no smoky pan needed. Here's how.
Key takeaways
Q: How long do padron peppers take in an air fryer?
A: Air fry padron peppers at 200°C (400°F) for 6–8 minutes, until blistered and softened.
Q: Are they spicy?
A: Mostly mild — but roughly one in ten is hot, which is part of the fun.
Times & temperatures
| Type | Temp | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Whole padron | 200°C / 400°F | 6–8 min |
The recipe
Air Fryer Padron Peppers
Ingredients
- 200g padron peppers
- 1 tsp olive oil
- Flaky sea salt
- Lemon (optional)
Method
- Toss the peppers with a little oil.
- Single layer; air fry at 200°C for 6–8 min.
- Shake once until blistered.
- Finish with flaky sea salt.
60 kcal
2g protein
5g carbs
4g fat
2g fibre
Tips
- Single layer so they blister.
- Flaky sea salt is essential.
- Eat straight away while hot.
Frequently asked questions
How long do padron peppers take in an air fryer?
About 6–8 minutes at 200°C, shaking once, until blistered and softened. Finish with flaky sea salt.
Are padron peppers spicy?
Most are mild, but roughly one in ten is hot — there's no way to tell until you bite in, which is part of their appeal.
Do you eat the whole padron pepper?
Yes — eat the whole pepper apart from the stalk. They're served whole as tapas.