Crispy Fried Banana Peppers
Pickled banana pepper rings coated in seasoned flour and fried until shatteringly golden and crisp. A five-ingredient snack or side that’s ready in 20 minutes and completely impossible to stop eating — serve with ranch or comeback sauce for the full effect.
- Total Time20 minutes
- Yield6 servings 1x
Ingredients
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Crispy Fried Banana Peppers
- 4 cups pickled banana pepper rings, drained
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp seasoned salt (Lawry's recommended)
- canola oil or other high-smoke-point oil, about 1 inch deep for frying
- dipping sauce for serving (ranch dressing or comeback sauce)
Instructions
- Dry the Peppers and Prep the Flour: Drain the banana pepper rings thoroughly and spread on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Pat dry and allow to air-dry for at least 5 minutes. Meanwhile, combine flour and seasoned salt in a large zip-top bag and shake well to mix.
- Heat the Oil: Pour about 1 inch of canola oil into a heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven. Heat over medium-high heat to 350°F. Test readiness by dropping a pinch of flour into the oil — it should sizzle immediately and actively.
- Coat the Peppers: Add the completely dry banana pepper rings to the zip-top bag with the seasoned flour. Seal and shake vigorously until every ring is evenly and thoroughly coated with no bare spots.
- Fry in Small Batches: Using a slotted spoon, carefully lower a small single-layer batch of coated peppers into the hot oil. Fry for 1–2 minutes, turning gently once, until deeply golden and crisp. Do not overcrowd the pan.
- Drain on a Rack and Serve: Remove peppers with a slotted spoon or spider strainer and transfer to a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Serve immediately with dipping sauce. Allow oil to return to 350°F before each new batch.
Notes
Drying the banana pepper rings completely is the most critical step — any moisture prevents the coating from crisping. Always fry in small batches to maintain oil temperature. Keep oil at a steady 350°F throughout. Drain on a wire rack, not paper towels, to preserve crispiness on all sides. Serve immediately — the crust softens quickly as it sits. For extra seasoning, sprinkle with a little additional seasoned salt the moment they come off the rack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
- Cuisine: American, Southern
Nutrition
- Calories: 190
- Sodium: 680
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Protein: 3
