Goat Cheese Stuffed Peppadew Peppers

 

Goat cheese stuffed peppadew peppers make a perfect appetizer for your next get together.  They are spicy and sweet in the same bite and the soft goat cheese balances them out with its earthy, mild flavor!  These sweet peppers are a great holiday appetizer!

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Why these stuffed peppadews are the best!

This delicious appetizer has been a party favorite of mine for years!  It's an easy appetizer that can be made ahead and popped in the oven right when your guests arrive.  The best part is the slightly sweet and spicy pepper combined with the mild goat cheese is the perfect bite size to snack on at a party. 

key Ingredients

• peppadews- a sweet and spicy type of red pepper that is called the Juanita or sweet piquante peppers. This pepper originates in South Africa.  Peppadew is the brand name for the pickled pepper.  Although I had trouble finding them years ago, they are now pretty easy to find especially on the olive bar at your local market or you can find peppadews here.
• goat cheese- I love plain goat cheese in this recipe, you could use an herbed goat cheese or cream cheese if you prefer.  It is easier to stuff the peppers if the cheese is room temperature.
• balsamic glaze- is a reduction of balsamic vinegar.  It is thicker and less runny than vinegar.  You can by balsamic glaze or make your own balsamic reduction.

Step-By-Step Instructions

First rinse the peppadews and remove any seeds. Using a paper towel, pat the peppers dry. Line the peppers on a baking tray.

Add goat cheese to a piping bag or a sandwich bag.  Squeeze it a little to get the cheese pliable enough to squeeze through the bag. If using a sandwich bag cut a small hole in the corner of the bag. Squeeze the cheese into the hole of the peppadew, filling it just a bit above the surface. If making ahead cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate after this step.

Next, sprinkle the top of the pepper with panko bread crumbs. Once all of the peppers are stuffed and sprinkled with panko they are ready for the broiler.

How to Use broiler

If you have never used the broiler feature on your oven, this is a nifty little feature.   It's perfect for browning because the element heats up to about 525 degrees on most ovens.  Check where your broiler element is placed.  It can be on the top inside of your oven or have a separate compartment.  If its the top inside element like mine, I simply move the rack to the top position of the oven and slide in the baking sheet.  

Also, it is important not to use glass or Pyrex dish ware under a broiler because it can shatter.  Non-stick coated pans should not be used for high temps either because it will release toxic fumes. Keep a close eye because food can go from nicely brown to burnt in a few seconds! Remember, this is just to melt the cheese, toast the crumbs and give a nice little char to the peppadews.

how to serve stuffed peppers

The final step is to carefully move the stuffed peppadews to a serving platter and drizzle with the balsamic glaze.  That's it!  So easy, yet so elegant.  This is definitely a step up from just a cheese tray or queso, although I do love those too!  Serve these at your next dinner party and I promise they will be a huge hit!

Looking for Other Appetizer Recipes? Try These!

Easy Guacamole with Tomatoes

Authentic Kentucky Beer Cheese Recipe

Caprese Salad with Balsamic Glaze

Did you try this recipe? Please let me know what you think! Leave a comment below, and a 5- star rating. I would love to hear from you! Subscribe Here to get new recipes sent straight to your inbox!