Description
Crispy air fryer banana pepper rings are a crunchy, flavorful snack paired with a creamy herb ranch dip. This recipe offers a lighter, less greasy alternative to traditional frying with a quick and fuss-free preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 medium banana peppers, sliced into ½-inch rings
- ½ cup (65g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (180ml) buttermilk (or ¾ cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice, let sit 5 minutes)
- 1½ cups (120g) panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup (25g) Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooking spray or olive oil spray
- For the Herb Ranch Dip:
- ½ cup (120g) Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup (60ml) mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash banana peppers and slice into ½-inch thick rings. Remove seeds if less heat is desired. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Set up breading stations: one bowl with flour, one with buttermilk, and one with a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Using tongs, dip each pepper ring into flour, shaking off excess, then into buttermilk, letting excess drip, and finally dredge in breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to adhere. Place coated rings on a baking sheet or plate.
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Spray basket lightly with cooking spray. Arrange pepper rings in a single layer, spray tops lightly with cooking spray.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- While rings cook, mix Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, parsley, dill, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Chill until serving.
- Serve the crispy banana pepper rings hot with herb ranch dip on the side.
Notes
Pat peppers dry to ensure crispiness. Use panko breadcrumbs for a lighter crunch. Spray with oil before air frying for golden crust. Flip halfway through cooking for even crisping. Make dip ahead to meld flavors. For less heat, remove seeds from peppers. Leftovers can be reheated in air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.
- Prep Time: 18 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 6
Keywords: banana pepper rings, air fryer recipe, crispy snack, herb ranch dip, easy appetizer, healthy snack, air fryer snacks