Air Fryer Peppers and Onions
Say hello to your new favorite vegetable side dish: air fryer peppers and onions! This healthy recipe is easy, delicious, and super customizable.
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If there’s one kitchen appliance I couldn’t live without, it’s my air fryer.
If you don’t have one, you’re probably thinking it’s just another clunky kitchen tool that will crown your counters and gather dust. But that couldn’t be further from my experience!
As a dietitian, I love the air fryer because it’s a fast and easy way to prepare nutrient-dense ingredients. And something magical happens when you cook vegetables in it; the final product is a little more crisp and caramlized than other cooking methods, all without excess oil or cooking time!
If you’ve got an air fryer, you’re going to love these easy ‘roasted’ peppers and onions for a delicious and weeknight-friendly veggie side.
Reasons to love air fryer peppers and onions
Air fried peppers and onions are a nearly perfect veggie side dish. A few reasons you’ll love them:
- Delicious – the peppers and onions get slightly crisp, caramelized, and melty when they’re done cooking. They’re so satisfying and tasty!
- Nutrient-dense – you might think peppers and onions aren’t as healthy as kale, but they’re loaded with vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants.
- Super easy – this recipe requires minimal prep and less than 15 minutes of cooking time. You’ll be pressed to find an easier way to cook vegetables.
- Customizable – I love this recipe as-is, but you can also spice things up with different seasonings and herbs.
- Everyday ingredients – this recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients you’ll probably already find in your grocery cart. No fancy extras needed!
Is cooking vegetables in the air fryer worth it?
Do you need an air fryer? No.
Is it my # 1 most used kitchen appliance of all time? Yes.
I know what you’re thinking: it’s just a mini oven, right? And while that might technically be true, I’ve found cooking in the air fryer to have many benefits:
- Less oil – you’re able to get crispy food without using loads of cooking oil.
- Hot weather-friendly – it won’t heat up your whole house like an oven would.
- Faster cooking time – air fryers function like a really good convection oven, so they cook your food faster.
- Texture – air fryers produce a crispier texture than oven roasting.
- Easy – they’re just less fussy than other cooking methods that require your constant attention. It’s a ‘set it and forget it’ kind of appliance, you know?
Ingredients
You’ll need a few simple ingredients to make these air fryer peppers and onions:
- Bell peppers – I used red and yellow because I like them best, but you can use any color you prefer.
- Red onion – cooked red onions are a bit sweeter and more mild than yellow. But you can use whatever onions you have and love.
- Olive oil – avocado oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, or cooking spray work too.
- Seasonings – scroll down for some seasoning variations to make this dish your own.
How to cook peppers and onions in the air fryer
Here’s how to make this easy air fryer recipe:
- Preheat your air fryer to 375 F.
- In a large mixing bowl, add all ingredients. Toss until vegetables are evenly coated with oil and seasonings.
- Place vegetables in the air fryer basket, arranging them in a single layer without too much overlap.
- Cook for 12-16 minutes. Shake the basket after 8 minutes and continue cooking in 4-minute intervals or less. The vegetables are done cooking when they are fork-tender and the edges of each slice begin to caramelize.
- Serve immediately, or cool to room temperature before storing.
How to tell when they’re done cooking
Your air fried peppers and onions are done cooking when the vegetables are fork-tender and the edges of each slice begin to caramelize.
Some blackened edges are okay, but you’ll want to keep them minimal to avoid a burnt taste and dry texture.
If you prefer firmer cooked vegetables, cook for less time. If you prefer softer cooked vegetables, cook for longer.
Variations
The beauty of this recipe is that you can adjust the spices and seasonings to fit your taste (and what’s available in your cupboards!).
Try these variations:
- Spicy – add chili flakes, chili oil, or cayenne pepper
- Ranch – sub Italian seasoning for 1 tbsp of ranch seasoning
- Smokey – sub Italian seasoning for 1 tsp smoked paprika or cumin
- Taco – sub Italian seasoning for 1 tbsp taco seasoning and add a squeeze of lime before serving
- BBQ – add a few Tbsp of barbeque sauce
How to serve
These veggies are perfect as a side dish or topping.
Try air fryer peppers and onions with:
- Tacos
- Fajitas
- Burritos
- Salad (like this nacho salad)
- Grain bowls
- Grilled chicken
- Pan-fried steak
- Oven roasted fish
- Inside a grilled cheese
- Pizza or flatbread topping
- Omelette or air fried frittata
Helpful kitchen tools
Use these tools to help prepare your air fryer peppers and onions:
These are affiliate links. If you decide to purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Expert tips
- Add extra flavor: don’t be afraid to add extra seasoning or fresh herbs.
- Avoid overcrowding: too much overlap in your vegetables may prevent browning and create a soggy final texture.
- Cut ingredients evenly: this recipe works best when all the peppers and onions are cut in uniform size.
- Don’t cut them too small: if you cut your vegetables too small, they’ll dry up and burn.
How to store and reheat
To store, allow peppers and onions to cool to room temperature. Transfer to a food container with a fitted lid and refrigerate for up to four days.
To reheat, add peppers and onions to a microwave-safe dish and heat in 15-second intervals until warmed through, about 45 seconds. Stir as needed.
Frequently asked questions
You can also cook peppers and onions on the stovetop or in the oven. I’d recommend searching for a specific recipe using your desired appliance to ensure proper cooking temperatures and timing. Try this stovetop recipe or this oven roasted recipe.
Yes! As long as everything is cut to even-sized pieces and you do not overcrowd the air fryer, peppers and onions cook well together in the air fryer.
Peppers and onions take about 12-16 minutes to cook in an air fryer at 375 F, but cooking time varies depending on your air fryer model and brand. Cut your vegetables to ½-inch strips before air frying for best results.
Air Fryer Peppers and Onions
Ingredients
- 2 bell peppers, seeded and sliced lengthwise into 1/2-inch strips
- 1 red onion, peeled and sliced lengthwise into 1/2 inch strips
- 1 Tbsp olive oil, or other oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp salt
- black pepper, to taste
Equipment
- Air fryer
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375 F.
- In a large mixing bowl, add all ingredients. Toss until vegetables are evenly coated with oil and seasonings.
- Place seasoned vegetables in the air fryer basket, arranging them in a single layer without too much overlap.
- Cook for 12-16 minutes. Shake the basket after 8 minutes and continue cooking in 4-minute intervals or less. The vegetables are done cooking when they are fork-tender and the edges of each slice begin to caramelize. See notes.
- Serve immediately, or cool to room temperature before storing.
