16 Pepper Appetizers Worth Putting on the Party Table

16 Pepper Appetizers Worth Putting on the Party Table

By Sara Taylor

16 Pepper Appetizers Worth Putting on the Party Table

By Sara Taylor
•
Updated
•
Recipes, Uncategorized

The unsung heroes of appetizer tables are undoubtedly peppers, and if you have ever tried one, I’m sure you enjoy them whether it’s a sweet and mild variety, or a hot one to the point where it makes your eyes water. Crowd-pleasing dips, spicy poppers, and even everything in between. With these 9 bites, there will be something for everyone. Set them out and watch the table get cleared.

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1) Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers

colorful mini bell pepper halves stuffed with melty cheese filling and flecked with green onion, lined up on a slate board, in a wide horizontal shot, warm natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Creamy filling stuffed in sweet little pepper halves, these always disappear before anything else on the table.

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colorful mini bell pepper halves stuffed with melty cheese filling and flecked with green onion, lined up on a slate board, in a wide horizontal shot, warm natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers

Mini bell peppers which are tender and filled with a cheesy mixture, then baked until their color changes to a soft golden.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 33 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 12 mini bell peppers halved and seeded
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar
  • 2 tbsp green onion chopped
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 0.25 tsp smoked paprika

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
  2. Mix the cream cheese, cheddar, green onion, garlic, and paprika until smooth.
  3. Spoon or pipe the filling into each pepper half.
  4. Arrange on the baking sheet and bake for 16 to 18 minutes until bubbly.
  5. Let cool slightly before serving.

2) Jalapeño Popper Dip

bubbling cheesy jalapeño popper dip topped with golden breadcrumbs in a baking dish surrounded by tortilla chips, in a wide horizontal shot, warm natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

All the flavors of jalapeño poppers now in dip form! That means less work for you and more chips to enjoy with this delicious dip!

bubbling cheesy jalapeño popper dip topped with golden breadcrumbs in a baking dish surrounded by tortilla chips, in a wide horizontal shot, warm natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Jalapeño Popper Dip

Creamy dip with jalapenos and topped with crunchy buttered breadcrumbs.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 0.5 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar
  • 4 jalapeños seeded and diced
  • 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
  • 0.5 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp butter melted

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 F and grease a small baking dish.
  2. Mix the cream cheese, mayonnaise, cheddar, jalapeños, and bacon, then spread into the dish.
  3. Toss the panko with melted butter and sprinkle over the top.
  4. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes until golden and bubbling.
  5. Serve warm with chips or crackers.

Notes

Leave some jalapeño seeds in if you like it hotter.

3) Bell Pepper Salsa

fresh chunky bell pepper salsa with red, yellow, and green peppers and cilantro in a rustic bowl beside tortilla chips, in a wide horizontal shot, bright natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

A bright and crunchy salsa recipe with sweet bell pepper for a fresh, summery take on the classic salsa.

fresh chunky bell pepper salsa with red, yellow, and green peppers and cilantro in a rustic bowl beside tortilla chips, in a wide horizontal shot, bright natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Bell Pepper Salsa

A colorful and chunky salsa with tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, and cilantro with lime.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 bell peppers finely diced
  • 2 Roma tomatoes diced
  • 0.5 red onion finely diced
  • 0.25 cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 0.5 tsp salt

Method
 

  1. Combine the bell peppers, tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro in a bowl.
  2. Add the lime juice, olive oil, and salt.
  3. Stir well and let sit for 10 minutes so the flavors blend.
  4. Serve with tortilla chips.

4) Spicy Pepper Nachos

loaded sheet pan nachos with melted cheese, ground beef, and colorful sliced peppers, on a wooden table, in a wide horizontal shot, warm natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

A loaded sheet pan of nachos featuring a spicy pepper kick. Great for sharing and definitely for napkins.

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loaded sheet pan nachos with melted cheese, ground beef, and colorful sliced peppers, on a wooden table, in a wide horizontal shot, warm natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Spicy Pepper Nachos

Tortilla chips stacked with cheese, spiced beef, and a scattering of hot peppers.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 bag tortilla chips
  • 0.75 lb ground beef
  • 1 tbsp taco seasoning
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese
  • 2 jalapeños sliced
  • 1 poblano pepper diced
  • 0.33 cup pickled banana peppers

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 F and spread the chips on a parchment-lined sheet pan.
  2. Brown the ground beef, stir in the taco seasoning, and cook until done.
  3. Scatter the beef and cheese over the chips, then add the jalapeños and poblano.
  4. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the cheese is fully melted.
  5. Top with pickled banana peppers and serve hot.

5) Pepperoni Pizza Rolls

golden pepperoni pizza pinwheel rolls showing swirls of cheese and pepper, arranged on a board with a cup of marinara, in a wide horizontal shot, warm natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

These spirals with cheese and pepper bits will remind you of the delightful experience of enjoying pizza at a party!

golden pepperoni pizza pinwheel rolls showing swirls of cheese and pepper, arranged on a board with a cup of marinara, in a wide horizontal shot, warm natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Pepperoni Pizza Rolls

Flaky pizza dough combined with marinara, mozzarella, pepperoni, and diced peppers, then sliced into golden brown pinwheels.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 33 minutes
Servings: 8 rolls
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pizza dough store-bought
  • 0.5 cup marinara sauce
  • 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella
  • 3 oz pepperoni chopped
  • 0.5 red bell pepper finely diced
  • 0.5 tsp Italian seasoning

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
  2. Roll the dough into a rectangle and spread with marinara.
  3. Sprinkle on the mozzarella, pepperoni, bell pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  4. Roll up from the long side and slice into 8 pinwheels.
  5. Place cut-side up on the baking sheet and bake for 16 to 18 minutes until golden.

Notes

Serve with extra warm marinara for dipping.

6) Cherry Pepper Antipasto Skewers

antipasto skewers with red cherry peppers, salami, mozzarella, and olives lined up on a marble board, in a wide horizontal shot, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Savory and ready to eat in minutes, these small skewers combine the whole antipasto platter in one organized bite!

antipasto skewers with red cherry peppers, salami, mozzarella, and olives lined up on a marble board, in a wide horizontal shot, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Cherry Pepper Antipasto Skewers

Antipasto skewers ready to eat with no cooking involved! Beware of the tangy cherry peppers. Other ingredients include salami, mozzarella, and of course, olives.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 12 skewers
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 12 pickled cherry peppers
  • 12 slices salami folded
  • 12 mozzarella balls
  • 12 green olives
  • 12 basil leaves
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Method
 

  1. Thread a cherry pepper, folded salami slice, mozzarella ball, olive, and basil leaf onto each pick.
  2. Arrange the skewers on a serving platter.
  3. Drizzle lightly with olive oil.
  4. Serve at room temperature.

7) Peppadew Goat Cheese Bites

bright red peppadew peppers stuffed with creamy white goat cheese, drizzled with honey and sprinkled with pistachios, on a dark platter, in a wide horizontal shot, soft natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

These tiny bites are extremely powerful; the sweet and spicy peppadews wrap around the goat cheese, which adds a wonderful tangy flavor.

bright red peppadew peppers stuffed with creamy white goat cheese, drizzled with honey and sprinkled with pistachios, on a dark platter, in a wide horizontal shot, soft natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Peppadew Goat Cheese Bites

Peppadew peppers, filled with a blend of herbs and cream goat cheese, offer a delightful sweetness and warmth.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 20 peppadew peppers drained
  • 5 oz goat cheese softened
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp fresh chives chopped
  • 0.25 cup chopped pistachios

Method
 

  1. Pat the peppadew peppers dry with a paper towel.
  2. Pipe or spoon softened goat cheese into each pepper.
  3. Arrange on a platter and drizzle with honey.
  4. Sprinkle with chives and chopped pistachios before serving.

Notes

A piping bag makes filling these little peppers much easier.

8) Fire-Roasted Pepper Guacamole

creamy guacamole flecked with smoky roasted red peppers and cilantro in a rustic bowl, surrounded by tortilla chips, in a wide horizontal shot, warm natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Everyone wants the recipe for this guac because of the irresistibly deep flavor of smoky roasted peppers.

creamy guacamole flecked with smoky roasted red peppers and cilantro in a rustic bowl, surrounded by tortilla chips, in a wide horizontal shot, warm natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Fire-Roasted Pepper Guacamole

Guacamole blended with fire-roasted peppers and lime.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 red bell peppers
  • 3 ripe avocados
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 0.25 cup red onion finely diced
  • 2 tbsp fresh cilantro chopped
  • 0.5 tsp cumin
  • 0.5 tsp salt

Method
 

  1. Roast the bell peppers under the broiler for about 10 minutes until charred, then steam in a covered bowl, peel, and dice.
  2. Mash the avocados in a bowl until mostly smooth.
  3. Stir in the roasted peppers, lime juice, red onion, cilantro, cumin, and salt.
  4. Taste, adjust the salt, and serve with chips.

Notes

Press plastic wrap onto the surface to keep it green if making ahead.

9) Sweet Pepper Relish Crostini

crostini topped with creamy ricotta and glossy sweet pepper relish, garnished with thyme, lined up on a long wooden board, in a wide horizontal shot, warm natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Sweet and tangy jelly-like pepper relish served on crunchy bread is an classy little mouthful.

crostini topped with creamy ricotta and glossy sweet pepper relish, garnished with thyme, lined up on a long wooden board, in a wide horizontal shot, warm natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Sweet Pepper Relish Crostini

Toasted baguette slices with ricotta and glossy sweet pepper relish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 16 crostini
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 bell peppers finely diced
  • 0.25 cup sugar
  • 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 baguette sliced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 0.75 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme

Method
 

  1. Simmer the bell peppers, sugar, and vinegar in a saucepan over medium heat for 15 to 18 minutes until thick and jammy, then cool.
  2. Brush the baguette slices with olive oil and toast at 400 F until golden.
  3. Spread each toast with ricotta.
  4. Spoon the pepper relish over the ricotta and finish with fresh thyme.

Notes

The relish can be made days ahead and stored in the fridge.
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