Crispy Air Fryer Banana Pepper Coins: Tangy Treat (Print Version)

Crispy Air Fryer Banana Pepper Coins are a tangy snack with a satisfying crunch. Learn my easy recipe for this unexpected air fryer delight!

# 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 Ingredients

01 - 1 (16 oz) jar banana pepper rings, drained very well
02 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs, beaten

→ Crisping & Flavor Boosters

04 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
05 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 1 tsp garlic powder
07 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/4 tsp salt (or to taste)
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
10 - Cooking spray

→ Dipping Sauce Essentials (Optional)

11 - Ranch dressing
12 - Marinara sauce

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, those banana pepper rings need to be <em>dry</em>. Like, really dry. I dump them into a colander, let them drain for a good 10-15 minutes, then spread them out on a few layers of paper towels. Pat them down, gently squeezing out any excess liquid. This is crucial for getting truly crispy Air Fryer Banana Pepper Coins; don't skip this, or you'll get soggy sadness, and nobody wants that!
02 - Next, get your breading station ready. I grab three shallow bowls, a bit messy, I know, but it’s worth it. In the first bowl, whisk the flour. In the second, beat those eggs until they're nice and uniform. And in the third, combine the panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Give that a good stir. I always forget a fork for the eggs, so learn from my mistakes and grab one now!
03 - Now for the fun (and slightly messy) part! Working in small batches, take a few drained banana pepper coins and toss them in the flour until they're lightly coated. Shake off any excess. Then, dip them into the egg mixture, making sure they’re fully covered. Finally, roll them in the panko mixture, pressing gently so the breadcrumbs really stick. I usually use one hand for wet, one for dry, to avoid total finger chaos. It mostly works!
04 - Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3-5 minutes. While it's warming up, lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray – this helps prevent sticking and encourages that golden crisp. Arrange the coated banana pepper coins in a single layer in the basket, making sure not to overcrowd it. Overcrowding is my nemesis; it just steams everything instead of crisping, and we're aiming for crispy Air Fryer Banana Pepper Coins, remember?
05 - Air fry the banana pepper coins for 8-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. This is where you gotta keep an eye on them! Every air fryer is a little different, and honestly, I've had batches go from perfectly golden to slightly too dark in a minute flat. You're looking for a deep golden brown and that irresistible crisp. Don't be afraid to pull one out and test its crunch factor; that's what I do!
06 - Once they're golden and gloriously crunchy, carefully remove the crispy Air Fryer Banana Pepper Coins from the air fryer. Transfer them to a serving platter. Honestly, they're best enjoyed immediately, while they're still hot and the crispness is at its peak. Serve them up with your favorite dipping sauce – ranch is my personal weakness, but marinara or even a simple spicy mayo works wonders. Enjoy your tangy, crunchy snack!

# Notes:

01 - Draining the banana peppers <em>really</em> well is key to crispiness; don't rush it.
02 - Storage advice that actually works from my kitchen trials.
03 - Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches for uniform crisping.
04 - Serving suggestion that makes this dish extra special.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Air fryer
02 - 3 shallow bowls
03 - whisk
04 - tongs
05 - paper towels
06 - colander

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 250
Total Fat: 15g
Total Carbohydrate: 20g
Protein: 8g

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