With just five ingredients, these Roasted Mini Sweet Peppers with Goat Cheese are as easy as they are delicious and make a colorful addition to any appetizer buffet or snack table.
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What's not to love about cheese-centric appetizers? (Say Dorito Cheese Ball or Everything Bagel Cheese Ball). These sweet mini peppers are not only colorful but are roasted to enhance their sweetness. Then, fill with a tangy whipped goat cheese mixture. So easy and you only need five ingredients. Add these peppers to a brunch menu or a snack spread.
If you are short on time or don't wish to roast the peppers, no problem. Prepare the peppers: slice in half and remove the seeds and membranes. Then, fill with the cheese mixture. Raw peppers are just as delicious with their fresh crunch.
Ingredients and substitutions
This colorful appetizer comes together with just five ingredients.
- Mini bell peppers - Use a variety of red, orange, and yellow peppers for a colorful presentation. Mini bell peppers are sweet, not spicy.
- Goat cheese - I love the tangy flavor of goat cheese. If you're not a fan, you can substitute whipped cream cheese, whipped feta, or Boursin cheese.
- Whipped cream cheese - This helps the goat cheese blend into a spreadable consistency.
- Lemon zest - adds bright acidity which balances the tang of the goat cheese.
- Fresh herbs - Adds freshness. Use parsley, chives, or basil... whatever you have on hand.
Substitution: Use herbed goat cheese in lieu of adding chopped herbs to the mixture. For a spicy version, use jalapenos in place of the sweet peppers.
Recipe FAQ's
No, the peppers do not need to be cooked. Raw peppers are crisp and delicious. I love to roast the peppers first because it brings out their sweetness. I also love the caramelized flavor that roasting provides.
Mini sweet peppers are much sweeter than bell peppers. Their bright color is as vibrant as their fresh, sweet bite.
These sweet peppers are delicious on their own or stuffed with a savory filling for a tasty appetizer. Slice the peppers and add to salads, stir-fries, casseroles, or quiches. Use these peppers in place of jalapenos for a mild take on a jalapeno popper. Or fill with whipped cream cheese, whipped feta, or Boursin cheese. Pimento cheese is also delicious with peppers.
How to prepare
- Seed the peppers and cut them in half lengthwise. Toss with oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them on a sheet pan.
- Roast at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. The peppers will soften but won't lose their shape. Roasting enhances the sweetness of the peppers and the caramelization adds flavor.
- Blend the goat cheese and cream cheese in a food processor. Scrape down the bowl as needed until smooth and creamy. Add in lemon zest and fresh herbs. Season with salt.
- Transfer the mixture to a piping bag fitted with a piping tip. Pipe the cheese into the peppers. PRO TIP: Fill the piping bag with the cheese mixture easily with this tip. Place the piping bag (fitted with a tip) in a tall glass. Fold the top of the bag down over the edge of the glass. Spoon the cheese mixture into the bag. Unfold the bag and squeeze the mixture towards the bottom of the bag and pipe.
Equipment
Half sheet pan | Mini food processor | Microplane | Measuring spoons | Piping bags and tips
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Roasted Mini Sweet Peppers with Goat Cheese
Ingredients
Peppers
- 20 mini sweet peppers in assorted colors
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
Filling
- 8 ounces goat cheese
- 3 tablespoons whipped chive cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley or chives
- zest from 1 lemon
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Cut the peppers in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Add the peppers to a bowl and toss lightly with oil, salt, and pepper.
- Spread the peppers on a baking sheet and roast for 15 minutes until slightly softened and caramelized. Let cool to room temperature.
- Meanwhile, add the goat cheese and cream cheese to the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth and spreadable, scraping the bowl down as necessary.
- Gently blend in herbs, lemon zest. Season to taste with salt. Transfer the cheese mixture to a piping bag fitted with a piping tip.
- When peppers are room temperature, pipe the cheese mixture into each pepper half. Arrange on a serving platter and garnish with chopped herbs.
- Refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary depending upon the exact amounts and specific ingredients used.
Author's note: This post was originally published in December 2018 and has been updated.
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