While fresh spring peas are delicious, they’re not always available. However, you can always depend on the frozen option. That doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice flavor or babysit them on the stove, though. These air fryer frozen peas are an easy yet elegant side dish for any season!
One of my favorite vegetables for the Easter table has to be peas. They just scream fresh and spring! My secret, though, is that I make frozen peas in the air fryer because they’re so simple and delicious.
Now, just like Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas, it’s very possible to cook your peas to a crunchy state for a snack. However, that’s not what this recipe is about.
I’m making tender, juicy peas that are a perfect side dish. If you want a crunchy snack, though, feel free to check out my chickpea recipe!
While I’m pairing my frozen peas with the flavors of prosciutto, parmesan, and shallots, they are incredibly adaptable to suit a variety of tastes. Feel free to adjust seasonings, change up additions, and tailor it to match your holiday meal or your family’s preferences.
3 ounces prosciutto, diced or cut into thin strips
1 shallot, finely diced
1 tsp garlic powder
1 ½ tsp chicken bouillon powder
½ tsp lemon juice
½ tsp salt (optional)
¼ tsp black pepper
¼ cup shaved parmesan
Special Equipment Note: Since peas are small, it’s highly likely they will fall through the holes in your air fryer basket. You can remove the grate, or you can place an oven-safe dish into the air fryer basket to hold the peas.
I use mini loaf pans because they fit well inside my Ninja Dual Zone air fryer. However, most cake pans, casserole dishes, or silicone baking pans will work as well if they fit in your air fryer.
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
You can use any variety of frozen peas, and they do not need defrosting before cooking
Prosciutto may be substituted by pancetta or diced bacon if preferred (or based on what you can find in your local store)
A yellow or sweet onion can be swapped in for the shallot
Feel free to swap in romano or even ricotta in place of the parmesan
All other seasonings may be adjusted to taste, but this is a good starting point!
The salt is optional for if you’re using salt-free bouillon or if you generally like a saltier taste overall
Note that if you want to just make plain peas, you can skip everything else and just cook the peas and desired seasonings (no judgment here – sometimes I just top them with some butter, salt, and pepper). Add about 1 Tbsp of broth or water to the dish to make up for lost moisture and prevent them drying out if you do this
How to Cook Frozen Peas in the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F
Place the diced prosciutto and shallot into an oven-safe dish that fits in your air fryer
Cook on the air fry setting for 7 minutes at 350°F until they start to brown
While that is cooking, in a medium bowl, combine the peas, garlic powder, bouillon powder, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Stir to combine
After the 7 minutes have elapsed, add the peas to the prosciutto and shallot mixture in the air fryer, and stir to combine
Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes at 350°F until peas are warmed through. Check at 3 and then add additional time in 1-minute increments to prevent overcooking
Top with shaved parmesan and serve with additional lemon wedges if desired
What Goes Well With Peas?
Polenta
Quinoa
Risotto
Tortellini
Ravioli
Fettuccine
Salads
Soups
Beef roast
Shrimp
Roast pork
Chicken
Ham
Fresh herbs (mint, thyme, rosemary)
Hard cheeses (parmesan, romano)
Butter
Other vegetables (asparagus, carrots, leeks)
Peas are an incredibly versatile side dish that pairs well with nearly any protein, other vegetables, and many starches.
Yes, you can air fry frozen peas. They may be cooked directly from frozen, with no defrosting required.
Frozen peas may be air fried to either a soft, fresh vegetable state, or cooked longer to turn into crispy peas for a snack.
How Long Does it Take to Cook Frozen Peas in an Air Fryer?
It takes 8-10 minutes on average to cook frozen peas in an air fryer, if you’re cooking them to a soft vegetable state for a side dish.
For a crunchy pea that is more of a snack, expect to cook them for 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of your peas.
What Are Some Good Seasoning Options For Air Fryer Frozen Peas?
Good seasoning options for air fryer frozen peas include: mint, thyme, rosemary, garlic, salt, pepper, curry powder, paprika, olive oil, and pesto.
The seasonings are very adjustable based on the main dish you are trying to compliment.
How Do I Prevent Frozen Peas From Getting Too Dry in an Air Fryer?
To prevent frozen peas from getting too dry in an air fryer, you’ll need moisture. Generally, this simply means not overcooking them from their frozen state. However, you may also add water, chicken stock, cream, or other liquids to your dish to give them moisture.
Make sure to check in on your peas and stir them every few minutes so you can evaluate the moisture level and adjust if needed.
Conversely, if you want to make crispy peas, then you should remove as much moisture as possible and add oil to aid in drying them out.
Can I Reheat Air Fryer Frozen Peas?
You can reheat air fryer frozen peas, but they will lose additional moisture with each reheat. For best results, only heat for 3-5 minutes until warmed through, and add 1 Tbsp of water to the base of your dish for added moisture.
Note that, just like the preliminary cooking, you’ll need some form of dish or liner that keeps the peas from falling through your air fryer’s grate.
Recipe Pro Tips
When the peas begin to wrinkle, this means they’re losing moisture and will become dry. Check them frequently and cook in small increments near the end to prevent overcooking
My frozen peas started to wrinkle at 4 minutes in a Ninja air fryer, but other brands may vary slightly
Note that the prosciutto and shallots are cooked ahead so they can caramelize without burning the peas. If you prefer them non-caramelized, you may put them in with the peas instead
Storage and Reheating
Cooked peas should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within 3-5 days. I do not recommend re-freezing them after cooking, as the texture will get mealy
You may reheat your previously cooked peas in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 350°F, or in the microwave for about 1 minute, stirring halfway through cooking in both cases, until they reach 165°F for safety
These air fryer frozen peas are a perfect side dish to whip up anytime! They’re easy enough for a weeknight meal, but elegant enough for your Easter table too!
While I’ve chosen the complimentary flavors of prosciutto, parmesan, and shallots for my recipe, feel free to play around with other herbs, meats, seasonings, and alliums to create your own favorite.
Don’t forget to check out my easy recipe for Frozen Peas in the Microwave as well if you’re in a rush!
Air Fryer Frozen Peas With Prosciutto, Parmesan, and Shallots
Air fryer frozen peas make a delicious side dish easy enough for weeknight and elegant enough for the holiday table. Soft peas are accented by prosciutto, parmesan, and shallots.
Place the prosciutto and shallot into an oven-safe dish that fits in your air fryer
3 Ounces prosciutto, 1 Shallot
Cook on the air fry setting for 7 minutes at 350°F until they start to brown
While that is cooking, in a medium bowl, combine the peas, garlic powder, bouillon powder, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Stir to combine
2 Cups frozen green peas, 1 Tsp garlic powder, 1 ½ Tsp chicken bouillon powder, ½ Tsp lemon juice, ½ Tsp salt, ¼ Tsp black pepper
After the 7 minutes have elapsed, add the peas to the prosciutto and shallot mixture in the air fryer, and stir to combine
Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes at 350°F until peas are hot but not overly wrinkled. Check at 3 minutes and then add additional time in 1-minute increments to prevent overcooking
Top with shaved parmesan and serve with additional lemon wedges if desired
¼ Cup shaved parmesan cheese
Notes
You can use any variety of frozen peas, and they do not need defrosting before cooking
Prosciutto may be substituted by pancetta or diced bacon if preferred (or based on what you can find in your local store)
A yellow or sweet onion can be swapped in for the shallot
Feel free to swap in romano or even ricotta in place of the parmesan
All other seasonings may be adjusted to taste, but this is a good starting point!
The salt is optional for if you’re using salt-free bouillon or if you generally like a saltier taste overall
Note that if you want to just make plain peas, you can skip everything else and just cook the peas and desired seasonings (no judgment here – sometimes I just top them with some butter, salt, and pepper). Add about 1 Tbsp of broth or water to the dish to make up for lost moisture and prevent them drying out if you do this
When the peas begin to wrinkle, this means they’re losing moisture and will become dry. Check them frequently and cook in small increments near the end to prevent overcooking
My frozen peas started to wrinkle at 4 minutes in a Ninja air fryer, but other brands may vary slightly
Note that the prosciutto and shallots are cooked ahead so they can caramelize without burning the peas. If you prefer them non-caramelized, you may put them in with the peas instead
Cooked peas should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within 3-5 days. I do not recommend re-freezing them after cooking, as the texture will get mealy
You may reheat your previously cooked peas in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 350°F, or in the microwave for about 1 minute, stirring halfway through cooking in both cases, until they reach 165°F for food safety
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, any adjustments made, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
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I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
