Sweet Pepper Poppers Recipe

These simple Sweet Pepper Poppers are a crowd-pleasing appetizer that requires minimal effort and delivers maximum flavor. This recipe is made with sweet mini peppers, a creamy filling of cream cheese and sharp cheddar, smoky bacon, and fresh chives. The result is a cheesy, savory, and perfectly balanced snack that is impossible to resist. This recipe is perfect for game day, parties, or a simple get-together and makes about 24 poppers, enough for a crowd.

Sweet Pepper Poppers Ingredients

• 12-15 mini sweet peppers (a mix of red, orange, and yellow)
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste

How To Make Sweet Pepper Poppers

1. Prepare the peppers: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Carefully slice each mini sweet pepper in half lengthwise. Use a small spoon to scrape out and discard the seeds and any membranes from the inside of each pepper half. Arrange the pepper halves cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet.
2. Make the filling: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, chopped chives, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir the ingredients together with a spatula until they are fully mixed and the filling is uniform.
3. Stuff the peppers: Fill each pepper half with a generous amount of the cream cheese mixture. You can use a small spoon for this, or for an easier and cleaner method, transfer the filling to a piping bag (or a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off) and pipe the mixture into the peppers.
4. Bake the poppers: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. The poppers are ready when the cheese filling is bubbly and lightly browned, and the peppers have softened slightly.
5. Serve warm: Let the poppers cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with a little extra crumbled bacon or fresh chives if desired. Serve them warm.

Recipe Tips

• Soften the cream cheese: For a smooth and easy-to-mix filling, make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature. Take it out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before you plan to mix the filling.
• Pat the peppers dry: After slicing the peppers, you can gently pat the inside of each half with a paper towel. This helps remove any excess moisture and ensures the filling adheres well during baking.
• Use a piping bag: For a quick and mess-free way to fill the peppers, transfer the filling into a zip-top bag, press out the air, seal it, and snip a small corner off the bottom. This allows you to neatly pipe the filling into each pepper half.
• Customize the cheese: Feel free to swap the cheddar for other cheeses. Creamy cheeses like Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or even some smoked gouda would work well and add a new flavor dimension to the poppers.

What To Serve With Sweet Pepper Poppers

These delicious poppers are the perfect finger food and don’t need much to accompany them. They are excellent on their own, but if you’re looking for dipping sauces, a tangy ranch dressing or a sweet and smoky barbecue sauce would be perfect. Pair them with other classic party snacks like a simple bowl of chips and guacamole, sliders, chicken wings, or a fresh vegetable platter to create a complete and crowd-pleasing spread for your next gathering.

How To Store Sweet Pepper Poppers Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Store any leftover Sweet Pepper Poppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, place them on a baking sheet and warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-10 minutes until heated through.
• Freeze: It is not recommended to freeze the poppers after they have been baked, as the texture of the peppers and the filling may become watery upon thawing. You can, however, prepare the stuffed peppers and freeze them on a baking sheet before they are baked. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag and bake from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time.

Sweet Pepper Poppers Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 75 kcal
• Total Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Cholesterol: 18mg
• Sodium: 120mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 2g
• Dietary Fiber: 0.5g
• Sugars: 1g
• Protein: 3g

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I make these ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare these poppers up to a day in advance. Simply slice and seed the peppers, make the filling, and stuff them. Store the unbaked poppers in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake them.
• What’s the best way to cook the bacon? For this recipe, you want the bacon to be crispy and crumbled easily. The best way to achieve this is to cook the bacon in a skillet until well-done, then transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool. Once cool, it will be easy to crumble into small pieces.
• Can I make these spicier? Yes, you can easily add heat to this recipe. Simply mix a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes into the cream cheese filling. You could also use a spicy cheese like Pepper Jack instead of the sharp cheddar.

Try More Recipes:

• Sweet Potato Fries Recipe
• Sweet Potato Rolls Recipe
• Taco Potatoes Recipe