Everything Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers
Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers are an easy, customizable, and delicious appetizer or snack recipe! Stuffed with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and everything bagel seasoning … these bite-sized 4 ingredient peppers can be served ooey-gooey hot or crunchy cold. They’re a low carb, low calorie, and colorful option perfect for every occasion!
Why You’ll Love Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers
There is so much to love about this bite-sized, colorful appetizer recipe! My personal favorite thing about it is that it is an excuse to eat large quantities of cream cheese. You seriously can’t beat that!
As a bagel-loving, New Yorker … I will take any opportunity I can to indulge in the creamy, tangy spread. Plus throw in some extra flavor and nutrition in the form of bagel seasoning and fresh peppers… it is but a dream!!
Yet there is still more to love. Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers are:
- Easy-To-Make: The process is simple here … halve, mix, stuff, and enjoy. Then air fry or bake if you’re going the melty cheese route. But either way the process is easy breezy!
- Straightforward & Affordable: I am all for fancy appetizer recipes, but sometimes I’m looking for something bare bones that won’t break the bank. Ding ding ding! These are the perfect option. You literally need 4 ingredients. It can’t get less complicated that!
- Good-For-You: These babies are low carb, gluten free, and full of vitamins and minerals from the sweet peppers. They are pretty much the lightest, most refreshing appetizer I can think of. Besides plain raw veggies, but who really digs into that when it’s offered?
- Customizable: Whether you want to serve these hot or cold, with the addition of bacon or whipped ricotta, these stuffed peppers will be a hit. You can add or take away any ingredients you like! The colorful veggie is simply a vessel for all of your tasty adventures.
Ingredients & Substitutions
This delicious appetizer calls for only 4 simple ingredients! It honestly cannot get better than that.
Plus they come together to create a low carb, lighter, and more nutritious option than most appetizers out there. We love you cheesy baked dips and flatbread pizza, but we are talking about you!
This quick and easy starter, served hot or cold, doesn’t skimp on the flavor though. It’s truly a party in your mouth! Here is what you will need:
- Mini Sweet Bell Peppers: Mini bell peppers are a snacking favorite of mine! They are colorful, crunchy, and the perfect bite-size. I love using a whole pepper as a vehicle for delicious fillings so I thought … hey why don’t I do the same thing for the baby ones! These turned out to be a great party snack, opposed to the full-size stuffed peppers which I love for meals.
- Cream Cheese: I love cream cheese. Like seriously love it! I will use it as often as I can, in as many different ways as I can. I think it goes wonderfully with fresh veggies like these cool and crunchy peppers. I choose to use whipped cream cheese for extra creaminess here, but regular softened cream cheese works too.
- Cheddar Cheese: You can never go wrong with more cheese! Shredded cheddar just adds extra yumminess to these cream cheese bell peppers. I recommend you buy a block and shred it yourself for the best results. Especially when it comes to melting!
- Everything Bagel Seasoning: Bagel seasoning is truly the perfect topping here. It packs so much flavor into each and every bite. Plus if you really imagine it can almost feel like you’re eating a real bagel! LOL just kidding. If you want the real deal I would recommend stopping by my Cream Cheese Stuffed Everything Bagel Bites. They are truly fabulous!
Equipment Needed
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- Cutting Board & Chef Knife
- Mixing Bowl
- Rubber Spatula
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
- Optional: Small Baking Sheet
- Optional: Air Fryer – I use and love the Instant Slim 6QT Air Fryer Oven
How To Make This Recipe
Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers are such a simple appetizer to prepare! Whether you serve them cold or hot, they will not take too much effort on your part.
The most time consuming thing is halving the peppers – but I just like to put my headphones in and jam out or listen to a podcast while doing it. The time flies!!
Step 1: Prepare Sweet Mini Peppers. First halve the baby peppers. Cut them in half long ways and remove the seeds.
Step 2: Make Easy Cream Cheese Filling. Add the cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and everything bagel seasoning to a mixing bowl. Combine thoroughly.
Step 3: Stuff The Peppers. Divide the cream cheese mixture among the pepper halves. Carefully stuff the mixture to each half and spread evenly. I find using a knife to be the best way to do this!
Step 4: Serve & Enjoy…
Option 1: Serve cold. Top with an extra sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning.
Option 2: Serve hot. The stuffed mini bell peppers can be served as a hot appetizer by either baking or air frying. Oven: add the peppers to a baking sheet in a single layer and bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted to your liking. Air Fryer: Air fry at 350 degrees F for 3-5 minutes. I personally prefer the air fryer method!
Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptations
There are truly countless different versions and variations you could make of this baby bell peppers with cream cheese recipe! The tiny pepper halves are the perfect vessel for any tasty things you want to stuff in them.
Whether you’re dairy free and can’t do cream cheese or simply want to add a little extra jazz to this healthy appetizer I have got you covered. Read on below for all of my yummy suggestions:
- Different Cheese: Not a cream cheese fan? Do not worry! I completely disagree with you, but you can still enjoy this snack. Any soft or creamy cheese could be used in its place. Like brie cheese, Boursin cheese (the garlic & herb variety is so yum), whipped ricotta, goat cheese, etc. Or even cottage cheese!
- Flavored Cream Cheese: If you are a fan of cream cheese, like I am, then you could experiment with already flavored varieties for extra oomph. I think chive and onion would be a great idea!
- Shredded Cheese: You could also swap out the sharp cheddar cheese here with any shredded cheese of your choice. Pepper jack cheese or mozzarella cheese would be wonderful.
- Fresh Herbs: I love adding fresh herbs to all my dishes to liven things up and add a bit of brightness. Fresh parsley or dill would be fabulous options here. Green onions too … not an herb, but a lovely garnish!
- Add A Meat: Calling all meat lovers … this one is for you!! Adding a meat to this easy appetizer would make it a heartier option. Perhaps a tastier one too! I would suggest adding crumbled crispy bacon or chopped salami / pepperoni to the cream cheese filling. You could do cooked ground beef or Italian sausage too. Why the heck not!!
- Seasoning: Bagel seasoning was the clear choice in my eyes for this cream cheese stuffed mini peppers recipe. I mean the two go together like peanut butter and jelly! But you could really use any seasonings or spices you’d like. Such as garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, red pepper flakes, dried herbs, lemon pepper seasoning, or Italian seasoning.
- Spice It Up: If you feel like adding some heat to this simple recipe – hot sauce or Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Sauce are all you need.
- Change It Up Completely: Don’t feel like cream cheese at all?! No problem! Like I said you can pretty much stuff these peppers with anything under the sun. You could try hummus and feta for a Mediterranean flare. Or a cold dip you’ve prepared – like Artichoke Parmesan Cheese Dip. Even a store bought option, like french onion dip. The world is truly your oyster!!
Expert Tips
Use whipped cream cheese! I love to use this variety of cream cheese because it makes the filling extra smooth and luxurious. Plus it is also a lower calorie option if that intrigues you in any way.
Use a piping bag! I am going to be honest with you guys, I did not use a piping bag for my stuffed cream cheese peppers. You can kind of see in the photos that they are a bit messy! But if you are serving these at some sort of party or event and want a very clean presentation a piping bag would be a great option to achieve that look.
Pat your peppers dry! No one wants to bite into a watery, soggy stuffed pepper.
Season to your liking! I added 1/2 tbsp of the bagel seasoning to the savory cream cheese filling and it was perfect for me. You can always add more or start with less depending on what you think you’d enjoy. Also feel free to add extra seasonings, herbs, or fillings. You can read above for all my ideas on different variations on this appetizer.
Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers Serving Suggestions
This peppers and cream cheese recipe is easy to make, it is delicious, but it is also SO versatile! There is never a bad moment to be munching on these flavorful bites. Here are some of my serving suggestions:
- Party Appetizer: Whether it’s a baby shower, game day, Christmas dinner, or girls’ night … these peppers are a fabulous addition to any starter spread. I especially love to serve them cold and crunchy as a break from some of the heavier apps that are most likely on the table. Like Cheesy Bacon Corn Dip or Ham & Cheese Crescent Roll-Ups!
- Afternoon Snack: Don’t have a party to attend? You can still enjoy these mini peppers. They are the perfect afternoon snack. They’re nutritious, colorful, and easy to whip up. Plus if it’s just for you, you can enjoy in a deconstructed version. Just mix up the cream cheese mixture, dip in, and bite. Sounds exactly like what I will be doing later on today!
- Lunchbox Addition: Throw a couple of these peppers into your kid’s lunchbox for the school day. These tasty bites, full of cheesy goodness, are the perfect way to get your little ones to eat their veggies. Heck! They’re a great way to get you to eat your veggies … pop them into your own lunchbox for work.
- Charcuterie Board: I think these peppers would be such a fun addition to a charcuterie board. They would add both a burst of color and flavor, which checks all the boxes of a good cheese board spread. I mean it hast to look just as good as it tastes!
Storing Suggestions
You can store these stuffed mini peppers in airtight container in the refrigerator. They should keep best for up to 3 days.
To prolong their shelf life I would recommend assembling the cream cheese mixture and halving the peppers but keeping them separate for storage. Then you can just stuff the peppers as you go!
This is a great way to have a healthy and tasty snack ready throughout the week without worrying about the peppers getting soggy or something of that nature.
FAQs
From my research, I believe that when people (myself included) say “baby bell peppers” or “mini bell peppers” they are referring to mini sweet peppers.
Mini sweet peppers are very similar to the classic bell pepper. The main difference is that they are sweeter and of course smaller in size!
I believe they are nutritionally similar. They can also often be used interchangeably in many recipes! But mini sweet peppers are most ideal for snacking and appetizers, while bell peppers are better suited for grilling, stuffing, or roasting.
I find the best way to remove the seeds from the mini peppers is to first cut them in half long ways.
Then using a sharp knife, a paring knife is optimal, carefully remove the stem membrane. The stem membrane is that whitish, thin flesh inside the pepper that the seeds are attached to. Removing this should take care of the seeds as well.
If any seeds remain inside you can tap the pepper on the cutting board so they fall out. If any stragglers remain, use your finger or knife to knock them out.
Removing the seeds from the peppers is very simple! It is just a bit time consuming. I think it is the most painstaking part of the cooking process in this recipe.
Both! This recipe can be served as cold cream cheese stuffed peppers or as hot ones. I enjoy both equally! If you’re serving at a party you could even do both for a nice variety.
The cold version is a refreshing, crunchy option. I think it feels lighter this way too! The hot version is more ooey-gooey and cheesy. The flavors become enhanced as well. Either way you can’t go wrong!
Absolutely! This pepper recipe can be prepared ahead of time whether you will be enjoying them cold or hot.
If you would like these peppers to be served cold simply prepare them and store in an airtight container or on a serving platter with plastic wrap until serving time. I wouldn’t prepare them too far in advance though – 24 hours at the most!
For hot stuffed peppers, prepare up to the point in which you would cook them. Then store in the fridge as described above. When it comes time to serve, pop them in the air fryer or oven for the allotted time.
Nope! Baking the peppers before stuffing them is not needed here. Even if you are choosing to serve them hot.
The baby sweet peppers are so small and thin that they do not require that extra baking time to soften. Unlike in my Taco Stuffed Peppers or Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Peppers!
Everything seasoning is simply a combination of poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and salt. You can probably find it in your local grocery store, but if not it is not difficult to prepare at home. Here is a recipe!
Related Recipes
More Appetizer Recipes
- Charcuterie Skewers (Kabobs)
- Buffalo Chicken Flatbread
- Baked Brie Puff Pastry Bites
- Tomato & Goat Cheese Bruschetta
- Whipped Brie Cheese Spread
- Burrata Caprese Salad
- Cold Parmesan Artichoke Dip
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Everything Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers
- Prep Time: 20 Minutes
- Cook Time: 15 Minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 20 Servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
Description
Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers are an easy, customizable, and delicious appetizer or snack recipe! Stuffed with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and everything bagel seasoning … these bite-sized 4 ingredient peppers can be served ooey-gooey hot or crunchy cold. They’re a low carb, low calorie, and colorful option perfect for every ocassion!
Ingredients
- 20 mini sweet peppers, about
- 8 oz whipped cream cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 tbsp everything bagel seasoning
Instructions
- First halve the baby peppers. Cut them in half long ways and remove the seeds.
- Next prepare the easy cream cheese filling – add the cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and everything bagel seasoning to a mixing bowl. Combine thoroughly.
- Next divide the cream cheese mixture among the pepper halves. Carefully stuff the mixture to each half and spread evenly. I find using a knife to be the best way to do this!
- Option 1: Serve cold. Top with an extra sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning. Serve and enjoy.
- Option 2: Serve hot. The stuffed mini bell peppers can be served as a hot appetizer by either baking or air frying. Oven: add the peppers to a baking sheet in a single layer and bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted to your liking. Air Fryer: Air fry at 350 degrees F for 3-5 minutes. I personally prefer the air fryer method! Serve and enjoy.
Keywords: Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers, Stuffed Peppers with Cream Cheese, Peppers and Cream Cheese, Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers, Bell Peppers with Cream Cheese, Stuffed Cream Cheese Peppers, Cream Cheese Bell Peppers