STUFFED MINI PEPPERS RECIPE (EASY APPETIZER)

These stuffed mini peppers are SO stinkin’ good and easy to make! I’m always on the hunt for appetizers that can be made ahead of time and easy to take to a gathering.  And this one hits the nail on the head.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 large bag sweet mini peppers (I buy the 2-pound bag)
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
• 1 package of bacon (cooked and chopped)
• 2-3 jalapeños (finely diced)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Remove the cream cheese from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 30-45 minutes. This will make it easier to mix with the other ingredients later.
2. Meanwhile, cook the bacon until it’s crispy. I prefer to cook mine in the oven set at 375-degrees on a foil-lined baking sheet for about 20 minutes (flip it halfway through).
3. While the bacon is cooking, cut the tops off of the mini peppers and clean out the seeds. You can also take this time to finely dice the jalapeños and shred the cheese if you haven’t already.
4. Once the bacon is done and cooled a bit, use a large knife to chop it into small bits. Or, you can use REAL Bacon Bits found at your grocery store.
5. In a medium to a large bowl, use a spoon to mix together all of your ingredients except for the mini peppers.
6. Use a small spoon or mini spatula to stuff the mini peppers with the mixture.
7. That’s it! Enjoy.
8. Optionally:  you can dip your final poppers in shredded cheese for more cheesy goodness!

TIPS

• To make this appetizer even easier, you can use bacon bits instead of cooking and chopping your own.
• This recipe is actually pretty mild. If you’d like to make it a little spicier, consider keeping some of the jalapeño seeds in the mixture.
• Chives or green onions are also a nice addition to this recipe. I leave them out because my family doesn’t like them.
• If you have the time, the sweet mini peppers are even better grilled for a few minutes before they are stuffed.
• This recipe can be made the night before so that there’s less stress the day you’re ready to party. ?