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Last month, for our daughter’s first communion party, we served these Mini Stuffed Sweet Peppers to rave reviews. Several guests asked if we’d share the recipe here on A Family Feast – so here it is!
These Mini Stuffed Sweet Peppers are really the perfect party appetizer because they can be made in advance, then simply heated in the oven once the party begins. About fifteen minutes later and you’re ready to serve a delicious appetizer!
Mini sweet bell peppers are sold in the produce section at your local supermarket – typically in a bag of mixed colors – and the pretty red, yellow and oranges definitely add to the festive look of this dish!
We stuffed the pepper halves with a savory, creamy mix of cream cheese, goat cheese, garlic and shallots, plus other seasonings and herbs. Then, right before baking, we topped the filling with panko bread crumbs giving these Mini Stuffed Sweet Peppers a wonderful mix of textures and flavors when you bite into them!
One bag of the mini peppers (usually sold by the pound) makes quite a fairly large amount of these stuffed sweet peppers – so feel free to halve the recipe if you’d like. Or – enjoy the leftovers the next day for a light and delicious lunch!
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Mini Stuffed Sweet Peppers
Note: Mini sweet peppers are found in just about every market in the country. They usually come in a variety of orange, red and yellow, Because they vary in size, the yield will depend on the size of the pepper. One pound will yield 30 to 40 halves depending on the size.
Ingredients
- 1 pound mixed-colors mini sweet bell peppers
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup shallots, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh garlic, minced
- 5 ounces goat cheese, softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 shakes Tabasco sauce
- 1 beaten egg
- 1/4 cup dry potato flakes
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Cut each pepper in half the long way, leaving stem connected (cut right through stem so each half pepper has half a stem. This will act as a handle when eating)
- With a teaspoon, scoop out seeds and discard. Peppers this small sometimes have no seeds. Line these cut side up on a parchment lined sheet pan. Set aside.
- In a small sauce pan over medium heat, cook shallots and garlic in the oil for about five minutes until somewhat soft. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a large bowl add goat cheese, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, egg and dry potato. Add the now cooled shallot mixture. Stir cream cheese mixture until completely combined.
- Divide filling between the cut pepper halves using a teaspoon to fill. This step is a bit tedious. For this reason, I extended the prep time to 45 minutes.
- Heat oven to 425 degrees F.
- In a shallow bowl, mix panko, butter and paprika.
- Take each stuffed pepper and press the stuffing side down into the panko to coat top. Repeat for each pepper and place the peppers back on tray once coated. If the pepper does not sit flat, line them up so that they lean against each other.
- Bake uncovered for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. The filling should be hot and the pepper just slightly cooked.
- Using a spatula, remove to a tray and serve immediately.
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Could you substitute goat cheese with another kind of cheese?
Sure Carol – you can swap in any other soft cheese. I think Boursin would be delicious but you could also use cream cheese, feta, even bleu cheese.
Hi Martha, can these been made, baked and then reheated in the microwave? I’m traveling 6 hours away and meeting friends for a New Years trip and I am preparing appetizers to take. Once at hotel, only a fridge and mic6available. Happy Holidays!!
Hi Tracy – We’ve reheated our own leftovers in the microwave, and while they still taste good, the crispy topping isn’t quite the same as it is out of the oven. If you don’t mind the topping being a little softer – then, yes, you can. Happy Holidays to you too!
They are wonderful, so delicious! If I was to make them for a party, could I make them ahead and freeze them?
Hi Alicia – We haven’t tried freezing these ourselves, but I think they would be OK. Similar to when you buy frozen jalapeno poppers at the supermarket, the peppers themselves might shrivel a bit in the freezer, but if that doesn’t bother you, I think you could make/freeze these ahead of time. Let us know how it comes out!
If you’re going to make them in advance do you go ahead and bake them, or just put the stuffing in and then bake them before before you eat?
Hi Teresa – You can stuff them ahead of time, then bake before you eat. Enjoy!
I made it without the potato flakes or shallot, and it was still the biggest hit at Christmas dinner. Excellent, and beautiful, dish.
So glad you all enjoyed the recipe Emily!
What is the purpose of the egg and potato flakes? Do you need to add this?
Hi Leanne – The potato flakes help make the cheese filling a lighter and creamier texture. The eggs help bind the filling together. You can try leaving them out if you’d like but the results won’t be the same as shown – it’s really up to you!