So you bought a package of little green Padron peppers and are wondering what to do with them. I am excited to share some tasty Padron pepper recipes. Which will you try first?
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Have you tried Padron peppers? They are my new favorite little bit-sized pepper to cook. These peppers can be a bit unpredictable. They are said to be mild, with one in ten peppers being spicy, but I recently bought a basket of Padron peppers and every single one was hot. It is a gamble, but if you love spice, I highly encourage you to give these little peppers a try!
Join me as I show you how to roast Padron peppers and create a simple easy Padron peppers recipe. If you love peppers as much as we do, check out some of my popular gluten free shishito pepper recipes! Shishito peppers are considered mild for those who don't want to be too spicy.
Where To Find Padron Peppers?
Padron peppers can be tricky to find in some parts of the country, but they are very easy to grow! You can find Padron peppers in the farmer's markets now, but if you have a small ethnic market nearby, you may be lucky enough to find them all year round!
These bright green peppers are not big! These peppers are only two inches long and can come in either green or yellow colors. They are mostly mild, but watch out for that rare 10% that have a spicy kick!
You know me, I LOVE peppers. If you love peppers too, check out my popular Hatch Green Chile Pepper recipes while you are here on the blog.
Pimientos de Padron
Did this fancy title fool you? Padron peppers are originally from Spain but are also grown in Mexico and the United States too. You can find Spanish peppers on menus in tapas restaurants and used in all sorts of fun pepper recipes all over Spain.
When Are Padron Peppers In Season?
You may be wondering when Padron peppers are in season. Their typical growing season is from May to September. This is a common pepper growing season time frame.
Ways To Cook Padron Peppers:
- Cook your peppers in a special grill basket on a grill. (Pictured grill basket above. Note those are shishito peppers cooking in the grill basket.) This grill basket will prevent the peppers from falling in between the grills.
- Blister the peppers with garlic and oil over high heat in a cast-iron pan. (Pictured below this list.) This is my favorite way to enjoy these peppers!
- Cut the peppers and cook them in a recipe. I don't do this as often, but it helps cook their flavor into the recipe you are making. I share a few easy recipes below for you to try.
- Roast these peppers in your air fryer! Air fryer Padron peppers are so easy to make! Toss them in garlic and oil and roast them for 8-10 minutes at 400º F. Be sure to stir them midway so you get both sides roasted the same amount.
- Slice them down the middle and put a small block of cheese inside the peppers. Bake them for 10-15 minutes at 400º F.
I recommend using a 12-inch cast-iron skillet to blister peppers. Cast iron pans can get really hot, which helps to blister the skin on the peppers. It almost adds a caramelized flavor to the blistered peppers...totally worth it!
Can You Eat Padron Pepper Seeds?
The answer to this question is yes, you can. It is smart to ask this question because many peppers like jalapeños seeds are HOT! You don't have to worry about this with Padron peppers.
I can't wait to share with you my second favorite way to eat these peppers! (The first way was blistered. I love to pop them in my mouth!
Grab your favorite hummus and crackers. (I love to use hummus with roasted red peppers. This is similar, but with a kick of spice.)
- Top your gluten free crackers with hummus.
- Add a blistered pepper on top. You probably won't want to eat the stems so go ahead and remove those. I left them on for the pictures because it looked pretty :-).
- Pop the whole thing into your mouth! This appetizer goes really well with beer!
Can't Find Padron Peppers? Try These Padron Pepper Substitutes:
- Blistered Shishito Peppers with Garlic
- Stuffed Pasilla Peppers
- Chilled Shishito Pepper Soup
- Hatch Green Chiles
This appetizer is easy to make in under 15 minutes, and it is perfect for a party or game day celebration! This post was updated from an older July 2018 post with more information.
Tools Needed:
- A good 12-inch cast iron skillet.
- Or, you can use a grill basket and cook these on your grill.
📖 Recipe
Blistered Padron Peppers and Garlic
Ingredients
- ½ pound padron peppers
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
Instructions
- Preheat a cast-iron skillet on medium heat.
- Add oil and garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in the padrone peppers and cook, stirring frequently, until the skin starts to blister.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- You can also blister these padrone peppers on a grill.
- These peppers will keep up to 4 days in an air-tight container.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn't test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
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Henry Kemper
Hey there folks you might try growing your own peppers at home. Two plants may offer all the peppers you might want. Remember to pick them when they are no bigger than your thumb. Oh by the if you keep picking they keep replacing those little darlings.
Sandi Gaertner
I love the idea of growing our own peppers. What do you like to make with padron peppers?
Marie
I've never heard of padron peppers before, but now I want to try them. Love that they are bite-sized and mild in flavour with a chance of a spicy kick. Great appetizer to showcase these peppers!
Sandi Gaertner
If you love peppers, you will love these Marie. I wish more were spicy, but they are a great bite-sized appetizer treat.
Sharon
These look like little bites of amazing! Perfect appetizer for tailgating.
Sandi Gaertner
These would make a great appetizer for tailgating 🙂
Caroline
I love padron peppers - I lived in Spain for a while and they were a favorite whenever we got tapas (which was often!)
Sandi Gaertner
I bet living in Spain was incredible. I would love to hear some more of your favorite tapas places. Hoping we can make it to Spain sometime.
Tisha
I've never had padron peppers! Eager to try them
Sandi Gaertner
I hope you can find them at a local market Tisha.
kristi
Wow... I learned so much from this post. I have seen padron peppers but I had never heard the actual name, now I know and great ideas what to do with them too!
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad Kristi 🙂