Looking for a healthy and flavorful side dish that kids will love? These air fryer roasted sugar snap peas are a perfect option. Tossed with sesame oil and a pinch of salt, they become tender with a lightly roasted flavor in just minutes. Quick and easy, this recipe adds a fresh, delicious touch to any meal that the whole family will enjoy!
Our sugar snap peas recipe is ideal for busy families that are seeking a nutrient-dense side that is simple. Rich in fiber and vitamin C, pea pods can be a great addition to a balanced diet. Plus, even the pickiest of eaters will be surprised on how tasty this veggie really is!
For more vegetable recipes that kids enjoy, check out Roasted Broccoli and Carrots topped with freshly shredded parmesan cheese and Frozen Mixed Vegetables that take under 10 minutes from start to finish.
Why Kids Love This Recipe
- Pea Pods are Sweet and Tender! Sugar snap peas have a natural sweetness that appeals to kids, along with a tender texture once cooked. Encourage your kid to take a bite of a crunchy pea pod when raw then tell you about the difference in texture once cooked.
- Pea Pods are Colorful! The vibrant green color can catch kids’ attention while they prep this recipe with you.
- Pea Pods are Fun! Kids often love sauces and different flavors and cooked sugar snap peas can easily be paired with favorites such as teriyaki, soy sauce or cheese sauce. This is a great way to encourage kids to eat veggies and keep mealtime interesting.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces sugar snap peas
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil ✅
- salt
Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.
How To Prepare Sugar Snap Peas
Pea pods can have tough ends and be “stringy”. To prevent, wash the pods under cold water then trim the ends. Using a small knife or your hands, snap off the tough stem ends and pull away the string that runs along the side of the pod. This will help to boost the tenderness of the vegetable and make it easier to eat, especially for younger kids.
How To Cook Sugar Snap Peas
Start by preheating the air fryer to 400°F. Preheating ensures even cooking and helps the sugar snap peas become crisp without overcooking. You can also make roasted sugar snap peas in the oven; however, you will need to increase the cooking time. The air fryer is key if wanting a delicious recipe within minimal roasting time!
Once preheated, bake the sugar snap peas for 8 minutes, stirring once halfway through. The pea pods should be in an even layer on the tray or basket. Avoid overcrowding by cooking in batches if needed.
In a mixing bowl combine the roasted peas, sesame oil, and salt. Stir until well coated. You can also add black pepper, garlic powder or red pepper flakes for extra seasoning based on preferences.
Recipe Tips
- Dry rinsed sugar snap peas with a paper towel before roasting. Excess moisture can prevent the pods from getting crispy.
- Sugar snap peas should be tender on the inside with a slightly crispy exterior. If a crisper pea pod is preferred, roast for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Before serving, sprinkle the peas with sesame seeds, a dash of soy sauce or a squeeze of lemon juice for extra flavor.
- Add a level of spice to this snap pea recipe by sprinkling a pinch of chili flakes or a drizzle of sriracha sauce on the top.
- Swap the sesame oil for olive or avocado oil for a different flavor.
- Stirring pea pods halfway through prevents the peas from sticking together and allows them to roast on all sides.
- Be creative with toppings by sprinkling on grated Parmesan cheese, nutritional yeast or a dash of balsamic glaze for a variety of flavors.
How To Eat Sugar Snap Peas
This recipe is delicious as part of a meal or as a snack. If eaten alone, pairing with a sauce is a fantastic way to boost the overall flavor at snack time.
For meals, toss the roasted snap peas on a salad or into a stir-fry with other veggies, rice and protein for a balanced meal. These roasted peas are also delicious in rice or quinoa grain bowls for extra texture and a pop of color. You have the option to serve whole or chop into pieces before mixing into a recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! High in fiber, sugar snap peas can help you feel full longer. Additionally, they are packed with over 50% of your daily recommended intake of vitamin C. They do sneak in a few grams of protein per cup, which helps to increase overall protein intake for the day.
Both varies of peas are delicious and easy to cook, but they do have some key differences. Sugar snap peas will be more plump, crunchier and sweeter. Snow peas on the other hand are flat, tender and have a mild flavor.
Too much oil can make snap peas soggy. Toss the peas in the bowl with the oil then transfer to a serving bowl if you have excess oil in the bottom of the mixing bowl.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- Show kids how to rinse sugar snap peas under running water. This is a simple task they can handle with or without supervision depending on their age. Kids can then snap off the ends of the peas and remove the strings if necessary.
- Spreading the sugar snap peas on the air fryer tray or in the basket can be a great learning opportunity. They can learn how to cook pea pods without overcrowding the air fryer.
- Let your kids measure and add the oil and salt to the mixing bowl. Show them how to gently toss the peas and coat each pod well with the mixture.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Air fryer sugar snap peas are best when served immediately after cooking. This is when they will be crispy and full of flavor. However, you can store leftovers if desired.
- Allow the peas to cool before storing to prevent sogginess inside the container.
- Store in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-5 days. Avoid freezing.
- Reheat in the oven by placing the peas on a baking sheet in a single layer and heating for 5-7 minute at 350°F. The pea pods can also be placed back into a preheated air fryer for 3-5 minutes. It is possible to reheat in 30-second increments in the microwave, but you do not regain the crispy texture.
More Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes
- Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes
- Air Fryer Broccolini
- Air Fryer Zucchini
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Air Fryer Roasted Sugar Snap Peas Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces sugar snap peas
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil ✅
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Season the sugar snap peas. In a mixing bowl combine the sugar snap peas, sesame oil, and salt. Stir until well coated.8 ounces sugar snap peas, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, salt
- ⭐️Preheat the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Bake sugar snap peas for 8 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
Video
Notes
- Dry rinsed sugar snap peas with a paper towel before roasting. Excess moisture can prevent the pods from getting crispy.
- Sugar snap peas should be tender on the inside with a slightly crispy exterior. If a crisper pea pod is preferred, roast for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Before serving, sprinkle the peas with sesame seeds, a dash of soy sauce or a squeeze of lemon juice for extra flavor.
- Add a level of spice to this snap pea recipe by sprinkling a pinch of chili flakes or a drizzle of sriracha sauce on the top.
- Swap the sesame oil for olive or avocado oil for a different flavor.
- Stirring pea pods halfway through prevents the peas from sticking together and allows them to roast on all sides.
- Be creative with toppings by sprinkling on grated Parmesan cheese, nutritional yeast or a dash of balsamic glaze for a variety of flavors.
Leave a Reply