Easy Cheese and Everything Bagel-Stuffed Mini Peppers Recipe
If you love a crunchy bite, creamy cheese, and an explosion of savory seasoning, you’re in for a treat with these Easy Cheese and Everything Bagel-Stuffed Mini Peppers. They’re the ultimate crowd-pleasing snack that’s somehow both satisfyingly simple and irresistibly craveable. Sweet pepper boats piled high with a zesty, cheesy filling and finished with that iconic everything bagel seasoning, all accented by a subtle chili crunch—each bite delivers the perfect harmony of tangy, salty, and fresh. Whether you’re hosting friends or treating yourself, this vibrant appetizer is bound to leave everyone reaching for more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Easy Cheese and Everything Bagel-Stuffed Mini Peppers is in their simplicity! Every ingredient is thoughtfully chosen to amp up flavor, texture, and color, making this dish a breeze to put together while still feeling special. Here’s what you’ll need and why each one matters:
- Mini sweet peppers: Their bright hues and crisp bite make the perfect edible “boat” for the creamy filling.
- Fat-free feta cheese: Brings a salty, tangy creaminess that cuts through the sweetness of the peppers.
- Light Laughing Cow cheddar cheese wedges: These spreadable wedges add richness without weighing things down.
- Everything bagel seasoning: Packs that signature crunch and flavor—think garlic, sesame, poppy seeds, and more—in every bite.
- Chili crunch (oil drained): Adds a subtle heat and little crispy bits for an extra punch of excitement.
- Green onions or fresh herbs (optional): Garnish brings a pop of color and a hint of freshness to finish things off beautifully.
How to Make Easy Cheese and Everything Bagel-Stuffed Mini Peppers
Step 1: Prep the Mini Peppers
Begin by grabbing your mini sweet peppers and slicing each one in half lengthwise. Scoop out any seeds and arrange the pepper halves on a serving platter or sheet pan. It’s amazing how quickly you can create perfect little boats for your delicious filling—the brighter and more colorful, the better!
Step 2: Mix the Cheeses
In a small bowl, crumble together the fat-free feta with the light Laughing Cow cheddar cheese wedges. The duo of cheeses gives you the best of both worlds: saltiness from the feta and a creamy, spreadable base from the cheddar wedges that coats each pepper perfectly.
Step 3: Soften and Season the Filling
Pop your cheese mixture into the microwave for about 30 seconds—just enough to soften so it stirs together seamlessly. Once warmed, add in your everything bagel seasoning and chili crunch (be sure to drain the oil to keep things from getting soggy). Stir everything together until well combined and fragrant, filling your kitchen with irresistible aromas.
Step 4: Stuff the Peppers
Using a spoon, gently fill each mini pepper half with your cheesy mixture, aiming for a generous scoop in every one. Don’t worry about perfection here—these rustic, overstuffed boats always look appealing.
Step 5: Garnish and Enjoy
Your Easy Cheese and Everything Bagel-Stuffed Mini Peppers are ready to serve! For a final flourish, sprinkle with fresh herbs or chopped green onions for vivid color and a subtle bite. Gather loved ones and settle in for the best flavor combo in every mouthful.
How to Serve Easy Cheese and Everything Bagel-Stuffed Mini Peppers
Garnishes
A sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning over the top amps up texture and visual appeal. For a pop of vibrant green, finely sliced green onions or a handful of fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro add a fresh, aromatic touch that looks as good as it tastes.
Side Dishes
These Easy Cheese and Everything Bagel-Stuffed Mini Peppers play well with so many sides! Try them with crisp veggie sticks, pita chips, or a bright leafy salad for a well-rounded spread. If you’re planning a party, include them on a charcuterie platter with olives, nuts, and grapes for effortless entertaining.
Creative Ways to Present
Get whimsical by nesting the stuffed peppers on a bed of leafy greens or arranging them in a rainbow pattern for eye-catching presentation. For tapas-style snacking, serve each pepper topped with a tiny flag or cocktail pick to encourage grab-and-go bites—perfect for mingling!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store your Easy Cheese and Everything Bagel-Stuffed Mini Peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep their crunch and flavor for up to three days, making them an easy next-day snack or lunch addition.
Freezing
While these are best enjoyed fresh due to the delicate texture of the cheese and pepper, you can freeze the stuffed peppers in a single layer and then transfer to a freezer bag. Just keep in mind that freezing may soften the peppers slightly once thawed.
Reheating
To bring refrigerated Easy Cheese and Everything Bagel-Stuffed Mini Peppers back to life, let them sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving. If you prefer them warm, pop them in a 300°F oven for a few minutes until just heated through—avoid overheating to keep the cheese from separating.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cheese for the filling?
Absolutely! Cream cheese, goat cheese, or herbed Boursin can easily substitute for the feta and Laughing Cow combo if you’d like to switch up the flavor profile or use what you have on hand.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, Easy Cheese and Everything Bagel-Stuffed Mini Peppers are vegetarian-friendly! Just double-check your cheese packaging to ensure it’s made with vegetarian rennet, if that’s important to you.
What if I don’t have everything bagel seasoning?
No worries! You can improvise with a mix of sesame seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, poppy seeds, and a pinch of sea salt. Even just one or two components can recreate much of the classic flavor.
Can I make these peppers ahead for a party?
Definitely—they’re fantastic for prepping ahead! Assemble up to a day in advance and refrigerate, then garnish right before serving so everything looks and tastes its best.
Are these peppers spicy?
Mini sweet peppers themselves are not spicy at all; the only hint of heat comes from the chili crunch. If you’re sensitive to spice, you can reduce or skip the chili crunch and still enjoy all the fabulous flavors.
Final Thoughts
For a foolproof, fun, and seriously tasty snack, you can’t beat Easy Cheese and Everything Bagel-Stuffed Mini Peppers. They deliver big flavor with little effort and are guaranteed to disappear quickly—so go ahead and add them to your next menu. I can’t wait to hear how yours turn out!
Print
Easy Cheese and Everything Bagel-Stuffed Mini Peppers Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easy Cheese and Everything Bagel-Stuffed Mini Peppers are a delightful appetizer or snack bursting with flavor. Sweet mini peppers are filled with a creamy mixture of fat-free feta and light Laughing Cow cheddar cheeses, seasoned with everything bagel seasoning and a hint of chili crunch. Quick to prepare and impressive to serve, these stuffed peppers are sure to be a hit at any gathering.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1/2 lb mini sweet peppers
- 1/4 cup fat-free feta cheese
- 2 light laughing cow cheddar cheese wedges
- everything bagel seasoning, to taste
- 1/2 tsp chili crunch, oil drained
- Optional: green onions or fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Peppers: Start by slicing your mini peppers in half lengthwise and removing any seeds. Lay them out on a serving platter or sheet pan.
- Mix the Cheese: Mix the fat-free feta cheese with the light Laughing Cow cheddar cheese wedges in a small bowl.
- Warm the Cheese Mixture Slightly and Mix: Pop the bowl with the cheese mixture into the microwave for about 30 seconds to soften the cheese. Add the everything bagel seasoning and chili crunch and mix again until well combined.
- Stuff the Peppers: Using a spoon, fill the pepper halves with some of the cheese mixture.
- Serve and Enjoy: Your stuffed mini peppers are ready to eat! Serve them immediately and enjoy the burst of flavors in every bite. Garnish with a sprinkle of herbs or green onions if you’d like to add a pop of color.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Method: Microwave, No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 80 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Cheese Stuffed Peppers, Mini Peppers Recipe, Appetizer, Everything Bagel Seasoning, Cheese Snack
