Roasted Shishito Peppers

It’s so easy to make roasted shishito peppers! Broil them a few minutes until blackened and tender: they’re seriously irresistible.

Looking for an appetizer or snack that’s utterly irresistible? Try Roasted Shishito Peppers! This long, thin pepper has become popular in restaurants because it makes the perfect salty bites with a burst of flavor. And guess what? It’s easy to make them at home! It might look like you need fancy equipment, but all you need is your oven broiler. They come together quickly into a beautifully healthy snack or way to start a meal. Here’s all you need to know!

What are shishito peppers?

Shishito peppers are a thin, bright green Asian variety of peppers with wrinkly skin. Shishito means “lion head pepper” in Japanese. The variety is used in Asian cuisine and more recently has become popular the US and around the world.

Most shishito peppers are quite mild, but approximately 1 in 10 is spicy! So it’s a little like Russian roulette when you’re eating them. Here’s the thing: our garden shishito peppers were 100% mild (the ones pictured here). But we have had spicy ones at restaurants, so it really depends on the source for the peppers.

How to make roasted shishito peppers

The most popular way to cook shishito peppers is to make Blistered Shishito Peppers in a skillet on the stovetop. We love this method, but we recently found that broiling is even easier! All you have to do is throw them in the broiler for a few minutes per side: no hot oil needed! Here’s what to know about how to make roasted shishito peppers:

• Mix the peppers with oil and soy sauce. Using this method, we like to infuse a little flavor before we start.
• Arrange them on a baking sheet and broil on High 3 to 5 minutes. Keep your eye on the broiler because the timing depends on your specific oven. Flip them when they’re mostly blackened on one side.
• Flip the peppers and broil another 3 to 5 minutes. This blackens the other side.
• Sprinkle with salt and enjoy! That’s it!

Use toasted sesame oil to infuse flavor

You can find two types of sesame oil at the store: toasted and regular. For these roasted shishito peppers, make sure to get toasted sesame oil for this recipe! Here’s the difference:

• Toasted sesame oil has a strong, nutty flavor: it’s intended for flavoring foods. It usually comes in a small bottle since it’s used in smaller quantities.
• Sesame oil has a neutral flavor and is used for cooking.

Dipping sauces for shishito peppers

You can serve these roasted shishito peppers plain, and they make an impressive appetizer for serving to guests! There’s nothing prettier than the lovely shapes of the charred peppers on a plate. If you’d like to step it up, add a dipping sauce to go with it! Asian flavors jive well, but you can also go out of the box with fusion-style flavors. Some restaurants serve shishito peppers with Mediterranean-style aiolis (typically used with French fries). So there are lots of options! Here are some ideas:

• Peanut sauce: Whisk together ⅓ cup hoisin sauce, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, and 4 tablespoons warm water to make a peanut sauce (adjust the water to reach the desired consistency).
• Yum Yum sauce: This savory Yum Yum sauce is served at Japanese steakhouses and is a perfect pairing
• Spicy mayo: This Spicy Mayo is quick and easy, often served with sushi
• Aioli: Try Classic Aioli, Pesto Aioli, Lemon Aioli, or Basil Aioli. (If you go this route, we recommend roasting the peppers with olive oil instead of toasted sesame oil.)

This roasted shishito peppers recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

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More recipes with peppers

There are so many types of peppers used in different cuisines! Here are some of our favorite pepper recipes:

• Roasted Bell Peppers Baking them in the oven brings out a sweet, charred flavor that makes a stellar side dish.
• Sauteed Peppers and Onions or Sauteed Peppers Colorful and full of sweet caramelized flavor! Eat as a healthy side dish or throw on sandwiches or tacos.
• Perfect Grilled Peppers Here’s how to make the best grilled peppers: smoky, tender and sweet! Bell peppers are easy to grill and have incredible flavor: a perfect summer side dish.
• Quinoa Stuffed Peppers or Classic Stuffed Peppers A colorful and delicious healthy vegetarian dinner, full of big flavors!
• Stuffed Poblano Peppers So easy to make! The zesty filling features rice, corn, black beans, and of course: gooey cheese.