Air Fryer Pimientos de Padrón – Easy Spanish Tapas
Whenever we go out for Spanish food, Pimientos de Padrón are one of the tapas we almost always order. These small green peppers are roasted until they develop delicious charred spots, then finished with a generous sprinkle of coarse sea salt. They are simple, flavorful, and absolutely perfect for snacking.
The good news is that you don’t need to visit a Spanish restaurant to enjoy them. Pimientos de Padrón are incredibly easy to make at home, either in the air fryer or on the grill. They only need a few ingredients and are ready in just a few minutes, making them a great quick side dish for grilled meat or a homemade tapas night.
What Are Pimientos de Padrón?
Pimientos de Padrón are small green peppers that originally come from Galicia in northwestern Spain. They are named after the town of Padrón, where they have traditionally been grown.
In Spain, Pimientos de Padrón are a classic tapas dish and can be found on the menu of many tapas bars. They are usually prepared very simply by roasting the peppers with a little olive oil and finishing them with coarse salt.
There is also a fun surprise when you eat them: most Pimientos de Padrón are mild, but every now and then you may bite into a much hotter pepper. You never quite know what you’re going to get, which is part of the fun.
Air Fryer Pimientos de Padrón
Making Pimientos de Padrón in the air fryer is my favorite way to prepare them. It is quick, easy, and doesn’t require heating up a pan on the stove.
Simply toss the peppers with a little olive oil and place them directly in the air fryer basket. The hot circulating air quickly creates the characteristic dark, roasted spots while the skin becomes slightly wrinkled.
Once they are done, sprinkle them with coarse sea salt and serve them while they are still warm.
The air fryer is especially convenient when you’re preparing several dishes for a tapas night. While the peppers are roasting, you can get the rest of your tapas ready.
Pimientos de Padrón on the Grill
During the summer, I also love making Pimientos de Padrón on the grill. The direct heat gives them an especially delicious smoky, charred flavor that pairs beautifully with grilled meat, chicken, and other Mediterranean side dishes.
The easiest way to grill them is to use a grill basket or a grill-safe pan. This way, you don’t have to turn each pepper individually, and the small peppers won’t fall through the grill grates.
Just like with the air fryer version, you only need a little olive oil and some coarse sea salt.
I recommend serving the peppers straight from the grill while they are still warm. The combination of tender peppers, smoky charred edges, and crunchy sea salt is incredibly simple but so delicious.
Perfect for a Spanish Tapas Night
You don’t have to wait for your next barbecue to enjoy Pimientos de Padrón. They are just as delicious as part of a relaxed tapas night at home.
Serve them alongside other Spanish favorites such as:
- Aioli
- Spanish olives
- Manchego cheese
- Crusty toasted bread
- Bacon-wrapped dates
- Spanish tortilla
Place the warm peppers in a large serving bowl in the middle of the table and let everyone help themselves. They are best enjoyed fresh and warm alongside the other tapas.
Whether you make them in the air fryer or on the grill, Pimientos de Padrón are one of the easiest Spanish tapas you can make at home. With just a few ingredients and a couple of minutes, you can bring a little taste of Spain to your own kitchen.
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Wash the pimientos and dry them thoroughly.
Place in a bowl and mix with olive oil.
Roast them in a grill pan until small blisters form on the pimientos.
Sprinkle with salt flakes and serve.