Sausage Stuffed Cherry Peppers are one of my favorite appetizer recipes for entertaining. They are small, bite-sized, tasty and super easy to prepare.
This stuffed cherry peppers recipe a great idea no matter what time of year it is, there is always some party, holiday event, BBQ or other function to attend. Clearly the food blogger can’t show up without a dish, right? These are one of my secret weapons.
Cherry Peppers are mild peppers hollowed out and filled with a zesty sausage mixture. Such a simple recipe, so many options and variations.
Cherry peppers are also known as peppadews. I personally like to call them peppadews instead, it is just such a fun word and it sounds more exotic!
Why These Sausage Stuffed Cherry Peppers are the Best
Bite sized peppadew peppers stuffed with a seasoned sausage mixture- what’s not to love!
- Great for parties – Because these peppers are so small, they’re the perfect bite-sized food for parties and get togethers.
- Make ahead friendly – I can make them ahead of time. I prep and stuff the peppers up to a day in advance and then cook them right before leaving or at the actual party. So easy!
- Short ingredient list – You only need five, yes FIVE ingredients to make these little peppers. All easily found at the grocery store.
Ingredients
These are all readily available ingredients that you will easily be able to find at your local grocery store.
- Italian sausage – Make sure the casings are removed. You can use spicy or mild depending on your preference. Turkey sausage, or even chicken or soy based are good alternatives too.
- Pickled cherry peppers – They are commonly found in the “olive bar” or antipasto section of your grocery store. They also come jarred and pickled in the Italian food section near artichokes, olives and roasted red pepper.
- Italian seasoning – With ingredients like oregano, thyme, rosemary and basil, this seasoning blend adds the best flavor to these sweet cherry peppers.
- Garlic cloves – You want them to be finely chopped or minced. I always like using fresh garlic rather than the jarred, pre-minced version.
- Breadcrumbs – I like to use Italian breadcrumbs, but you can make your own and add Italian seasoning to them.
- Fresh parsley – This is just used as a garnish and it totally optional, but I like the pretty green against the red peppers.
How to Make Stuffed Cherry Peppers
Making your new favorite appetizer is as easy as can be.
- Prepare oven and baking dish. Preheat oven and coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Combine meat and breadcrumbs. Using your hands, mix sausage meat and breadcrumbs in a medium bowl.
- Stuff peppers. Stuff each pepper with sausage mixture, allowing a little to pop out of the top. Place in prepared baking dish. I like to use a piping bag or small spoon.
- Roast peppers until sausage is cooked through and the pepper skins start to dry out a little.
Variations of Stuffed Cherry Peppers
There are plenty of ways you can make these stuffed cherry peppers your own. Here are a few ideas.
- Fresh cherry peppers – Instead of using the pickled version, try using fresh cherry peppers. They might just be a little harder to find and a tad more work to deseed.
- Cheese – Try adding some cheese into the mix. Stuff a cube of cheese into the fresh hot cherry peppers, or make a cheese mixture with the meat and cream cheese or finely shredded parmesan or mozzarella cheese.
- Wrap it up – Wrap thin slices prosciutto or even bacon around the outside of the peppers before bacon for even more flavor. Bacon makes everything better, right?
- Sausage – You can modify the flavors by simply using different sauce varieties, like mild or hot Italian sausage, chicken with sage, creole seasoned, pineapple chicken and more.
What to Serve with Stuffed Peppadews
I usually serve these peppers as an appetizer because they’re the perfect bite-sized finger food. Serve them with any other finger foods you like. There is a section below with great options.
You know I love it saucy- these came with a side of homemade pesto sauce , but garlic aioli or even an avocado green goddess dip are fantastic flavor affinities.
Storage and Freezing
You can assemble these peppers ahead of time and if you like, go ahead and cook them, just needing to reheat before serving.
How to Store Stuffed Cherry Peppers
Store leftover hot cherry peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last for up to five days.
Can I Freeze Stuffed Cherry Peppers?
Yes! Add stuffed peppers to an airtight container or freezer bag. You can store them for up to six months. You can freeze them with raw meat (if not previously frozen) or cooked too.
Frequently Asked Questions
The CDC recommends no longer than 2 hours.
My recipe does include bread crumbs, so no. However, if you use a gluten free bread substitute, they are gluten free.
I am not an expert on keto, but it is my understanding that if you swap out the bread crumbs with ground pork rinds, it will act as a binder and this recipe with become keto friendly.
More Genius Hors d’oeuvres
Your friends will think you’re the best new chef in town when you serve these appetizers at your next party.
Poutine Recipe
Popcorn Chicken Recipe
Dill Seasoned Oyster Cracker Recipe
Salmon Croquettes Recipe
Sausage Stuffed Cherry Peppers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/4 pound Italian sausage casings removed
- 20 pickled cherry peppers drained and patted dry, or peppadew
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 garlic cloves finely minced or crushed
- 2 teaspoons bread crumbs
- Fresh Parsley for garnish optional
- Cooking Spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees and coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Using your hands, mix sausage meat and breadcrumbs in a medium bowl.
- Stuff each pepper with sausage mixture, allowing a little to pop out of the top. Place in prepared baking dish.
- Roast peppers for 20 minutes or until sausage is cooked through and the pepper skins start to dry out a little.
- Garnish if chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Nutrition
I have made these for years. When they are done backing, I take them out put provolone cheese on them and put back in the oven to just melt the cheese.
Thanks for the advice, Howard!
I wanted to try something different and I’ve never stuffed cherry peppers before and dear Lord were these so good. Easy to make, not a ton of ingredients, and they were fun to eat.
These are delicious bites! When you something that’s a cross between a simple appetizer and also filling meal these are it! Simple and elegant. Perfect for entertaining.