Roasted Shishito Peppers
These blistered, oven-roasted shishito peppers are made with only 5 simple ingredients, including lemon, parmesan, and garlic. Quick, easy, and nutritious – this is a delicious dinner appetizer!

This shishito peppers recipe was inspired by an appetizer I had in a restaurant once (apologies that I can’t remember which restaurant it was!!). After devouring the dish, I remember scribbling down the list of ingredients in the Notes app of my phone. Those simple shishito peppers with freshly grated parmesan and lemon zest were so tasty, I couldn’t wait to recreate it at home!
While shishito peppers are often cooked on the stovetop, they also taste delicious roasted in the oven. It’s a fun twist, with very little active cooking time. Especially great if you already have the oven on to cook the rest of your meal 🙂
Want more simple appetizer ideas? You may also love these fan-favourite goat cheese stuffed mini peppers, this herbed cottage cheese dip, or these pear + brie cheese salad skewers!
What are shishito peppers?
Shishito peppers are thin and long peppers, roughly the size and length of a finger. They have a characteristic vibrant green colour and a thin skin that blisters easily when cooked. These peppers are of Asian (Japanese) origin.
Are shishito peppers hot (spicy)?
It is estimated that about 1 out of every 10 or 20 peppers is spicy. So for the most part, these peppers are quite mild, but you may come across 1 or 2 that have a real kick to them.
On a personal note – I’m not someone who can tolerate a ton of spice and I find shishito peppers quite delicious. Even when I come across a spicy one, it’s manageable 😉
Where to buy shishito peppers?
Shishito peppers can be found in many common grocery stores in the refrigerated produce section. Often, they come packaged in a bag or in a container rather than loose (or so I’ve found, at least).
If you’re a Costco member, I sometimes find bags of shishito peppers there, too!
Nutrition benefits of shishito peppers
Shishito peppers are a good source of vitamin C and vitamin A, both of which have antioxidant properties that help protect your cells from free radical damage.
These vibrant green peppers also provide a small amount of plant-based protein and are a source of dietary fiber, which is good for your gut health!
Visual guide: how to roast shishito peppers
Toss shishito peppers in olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Place the tray in the oven for 10 minutes.
After roasting, the shishito peppers should appear a little charred + blistered.
Remove shishito peppers from the oven and top with freshly grated parmesan and lemon zest. Enjoy immediately – that’s it!
Full ingredient measurements and detailed instructions are located in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
More healthy pepper recipes:
- Goat Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers
- Roasted Peppers & Zucchini
- Roasted Pepper Salad With Farro & Goat Cheese
- Red Pesto Sauce With Roasted Peppers
- Roasted Butternut Squash & Red Pepper Soup
Did you give this Roasted Shishito Peppers Recipe a try? Let me know by leaving a comment and recipe rating below!
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Get the Recipe: Oven-Roasted Shishito Peppers (Quick & Easy!)
Ingredients
- Approx. 8 ounces shishito peppers (roughly 227 grams)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 a lemon, juice + zest
- 2-3 Tbsps parmigiano-reggiano, freshly grated
- Salt + pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425F.
- Place shishito peppers on a large baking sheet. Toss them in olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Then, spread peppers out in a single layer with a bit of space between each pepper.
- Transfer baking sheet to the oven and roast for approximately 10 minutes, until peppers have puffed up and appear slightly charred.Do note that all ovens are different – you'll want to keep an eye on your peppers around the 8 minutes mark onwards!
- Remove peppers from oven and immediately transfer to a bowl or plate for serving.
- Top with lemon juice, freshly grated parmesan, and lemon zest. You may also add more salt if desired – I love topping these with a high-quality sea salt. Enjoy hot!
Notes
- I don’t recommend tossing these peppers in the parmesan, lemon juice, and lemon zest after roasting. When I did so, I found that the parmesan/zest got a little clumpy. It was much more enjoyable to simply add the toppings + then dive in.
- You may enjoy these peppers roasted as is, or with the suggested toppings. Either way, salting generously is encouraged!
- For the best flavour, I highly recommend using freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano over regular parmesan.
- I recommend zesting the lemon BEFORE cutting it in half – it’s so much easier to zest this way.
Nutrition
As a dietitian, I create recipes with whole food ingredients that provide the nutrients needed for optimal health. My nutrition philosophy does not focus on numbers; however, I understand that this information can be helpful.
Do note that the nutrition info provided is an estimate and I cannot guarantee correctness of the displayed values. These numbers will differ depending on brands used, recipe modifications, and amount eaten. If you require specific nutrition information due to medical reasons, please consult with your dietitian or physician.
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know by leaving a recipe rating below, or by tagging @walderwellness on Instagram. I love seeing your beautiful creations!
4 Comments on “Roasted Shishito Peppers”
Hi Carrie,
Would I be able to sub the parmigiano-reggiano with vegan parmesan, or would that not work at all?
Hi Jan! Oh yes certainly – it won’t affect any of the cooking at all, as it only gets added as a topping. I’ve never tried a vegan parmesan, so I can’t speak to the flavour profile, but if you enjoy the vegan parm then I’m sure it will taste good!!
Otherwise, feel free to just follow the directions for roasting the peppers and topping them with flaky sea salt. You could also enjoy them with a dip – they go well with creamy dips, like aioli (or a vegan version!!)
Thanks, Carrie. I have a good homemade vegan parmesan recipe that I will try with these. I plan to try them next time I have company over or a potluck to go to.
Ooh I love the idea of a homemade vegan parm! I hope you enjoy these peppers if you try them 🙂