Description
Delicious and creamy stuffed banana peppers perfect as an appetizer or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 to 10 medium banana peppers, fresh and firm
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, optional but recommended
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional for a bit of heat
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Soften cream cheese to room temperature.
- Wash and dry the banana peppers.
- Cut each pepper in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds and membranes, leaving stems if desired.
- Arrange pepper halves cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush or drizzle the pepper halves with olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
- Mince the garlic and thinly slice the green onions; shred mozzarella and grate Parmesan if not pre-shredded.
- In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, sliced green onions, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes (optional); stir until smooth and taste to adjust seasoning.
- Fill each pepper half generously with the cheese mixture using a spoon or piping bag and smooth the tops.
- Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until peppers are tender and the filling is hot and lightly golden on top.
- Optional: broil for 1–2 minutes to brown the tops, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Remove from the oven and let the peppers rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Air fryer option: arrange stuffed peppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 360°F for 10 to 12 minutes until tender and heated through.
Notes
- For added flavor, consider using flavored cream cheese or adding herbs like basil or oregano.
- Adjust the level of heat by modifying the amount of red pepper flakes.
- Can be made ahead of time and baked just before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking or Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pepper half
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 30mg