1. Home
  2. Cooking Ideas
  3. Mini Sweet Peppers

Tasty Stuffed Peppers

Category: Snacks

Colorful, tender mini peppers get filled with ground meat seasoned with warm spices like paprika and cumin. Cheese melts right into the mix for softness. Crunchy panko breadcrumbs sit on top and bake golden brown. The mix of soft and crispy makes these an awesome snack or light meal. Easy to put together and you can switch up ingredients to your liking.

Save on Pinterest Share This Meal Email This Recipe Print Recipe Go Directly to Recipe
Dana
Recipe Created By Dana
Last updated on Wed, 08 Oct 2025 19:42:43 GMT
Mini peppers stuffed on a wooden board. Save
Mini peppers stuffed on a wooden board. | chefsnaps.com

These little stuffed sweet peppers pop with color and bold taste every time you bite into one. With savory meat, cozy spices, smooth cheese, and crunchy panko on top, they make a tasty snack or light meal that feels special and filling.

The first time I whipped these up was for a chill weekend get-together and they vanished fast. Now I grab this dish whenever I want something easy but impressive.

Needed Ingredients

  • 1 small Onion: chopped finely to bring sweetness and flavor depth
  • 1 pound Ground Meat: pick beef, turkey, or chicken depending on how rich or lean you want it
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika: adds gentle spice and bright color
  • Half a cup Panko Breadcrumbs: crunchy golden bits for the topping
  • 2 cloves Garlic: minced to spread a warm aroma
  • 12 Mini Sweet Peppers: firm with glossy skin for the best bite and flavor
  • Salt and Pepper: season to your taste
  • 1 cup Cheese: cream cheese for softness or cheddar for sharpness, your call
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin: smoky earthiness that lifts the filling

Step-By-Step Cooking

A plate of stuffed mini peppers.
A plate of stuffed mini peppers. | chefsnaps.com

I love swapping the cheese with fresh ricotta right after baking for a creamy, cool twist. This dish always reminds me of fun weekend dinners where I played around with flavors and textures.

Best Ways To Store

Easy Ingredient Switchups

Great Side Ideas

Seasonal Twists

Four stuffed mini peppers on a wooden cutting board.
Four stuffed mini peppers on a wooden cutting board. | chefsnaps.com

This dish has never failed to impress my guests. Letting the peppers cool just a bit brings all the flavors together and keeps the cheese smooth. These stuffed peppers are a fuss-free way to make any meal memorable.

Frequently Asked Cooking Questions

→ Which ground meats are good here?

Beef, chicken, or turkey all work well, each bringing different taste and texture to match what you like or need.

→ Can I swap cheeses in the filling?

Absolutely, try Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack for new flavors. Cheddar and cream cheese make it creamy and hold it together nicely.

→ How do I get the topping crispy?

Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs on top before baking. They turn crunchy and golden, which goes great with the soft filling.

→ What spices make the filling taste better?

Warm spices like paprika and cumin add depth. Salt and pepper keep it balanced. A pinch of red pepper flakes can give it a little heat.

→ Can I make these ahead of time?

You can prep the peppers early and keep them in the fridge before baking. Just bake a bit longer if cooking cold ones.

Mini Sweet Peppers

Bite-sized mini peppers filled with flavorful meat, gooey cheese, and crispy panko crumbs for a tasty snack.

Preparation Duration
20 minutes
Time to Cook
25 minutes
Overall Time
45 minutes
Recipe Created By: Dana

Type of Recipe: Snacks

Cooking Skill Level: Simple for Beginners

Cuisine Style: American

Serving Amount: 6 Number of Servings

Dietary Options: ~

Ingredients You'll Need

→ Veggies

01 Minis sweet peppers, a dozen
02 Garlic, 2 cloves minced
03 Small onion, finely diced

→ Protein

04 Ground meat (chicken, turkey, or beef) 454 grams

→ Cheese

05 Cheddar or cream cheese, 240 ml

→ Dry goods

06 Panko breadcrumbs, 120 ml
07 Salt and pepper as you like
08 Paprika, 1 teaspoon
09 Ground cumin, 1 teaspoon

Detailed Preparation Steps

Step 01

Turn the oven on to 190°C and wait till it’s hot.

Step 02

Cut each mini pepper right down the middle and carefully take out the seeds.

Step 03

Cook the onion in a skillet over medium heat till it’s clear. Toss in garlic and meat and cook until the meat isn’t pink anymore.

Step 04

Add cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper to the meat and stir until you can smell the spices.

Step 05

Take the skillet off the heat and stir the cheese into the meat till it melts and mixes in nice.

Step 06

Put the meat and cheese mix into each pepper half and lay them cut-side up on a lined baking sheet.

Step 07

Cover the stuffed peppers with panko crumbs so they get nice and crispy on top.

Step 08

Pop them in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes till the peppers are soft and the crumbs turn golden.

Helpful Tips

  1. If you want more heat, toss in some red pepper flakes.
  2. Try swapping in Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese if you’re feeling adventurous.
  3. You can prep the peppers ahead and keep them in the fridge before baking. Just add 5 to 10 minutes to the bake time.

Essential Kitchen Tools

  • Skillet, medium size
  • Baking sheet
  • Oven
  • Parchment paper

Allergy Information

Always check labels for allergens and reach out to a healthcare expert if unsure.
  • Has dairy and gluten because of panko

Nutrition Information (Per Portion)

Nutrition facts are provided for reference and don’t replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 350
  • Fat Content: 20 grams
  • Carbohydrate Amount: 15 grams
  • Protein Content: 25 grams