Keto Sweet Pepper Poppers (Mild, Bacon-Wrapped, Air Fryer)

If bacon-wrapped, cream cheese-stuffed peppers sound good but jalapenos are not your thing, this one is for you. Keto sweet pepper poppers use mild mini peppers instead, and the whole family can eat them.

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Use regular sliced bacon here, not thick-cut, it wraps and holds together better around these smaller peppers. An oven-style air fryer works well, though a basket-style one is fine too, as long as it does not toss the food around while cooking.

Chef Jenn’s Take on Sweet Pepper Poppers

Slice each pepper from just below the stem down to the tip, keeping it as whole as possible, just opening a slit wide enough to remove the seeds and stuff the filling in. This is not the same cut as halving the pepper.

If you accidentally slice all the way through, do not worry, just treat them as pepper halves instead. They will not look quite as pretty, but they still taste just as good. Pick peppers that are similarly sized too, so they all cook at the same rate.

Use a whole slice of bacon per pepper, it holds together noticeably better than a partial piece does. Regular-cut bacon works better here than thick-cut specifically, it wraps and cooks more evenly around these smaller peppers.

Dip these in my own Ranch Dressing if you want something to go alongside them. For a bigger spread, add Cajun Shrimp Dip, Pickled Cauliflower, and Poppable Pork Shots to the table, a combination that genuinely impresses a crowd.

What You’ll Love About Sweet Pepper Poppers

• A great starting point for a bigger keto appetizer spread.
• Mild enough for the whole family, no jalapeno heat involved.
• Ready in about 30 minutes, mostly hands-off in the air fryer.

Ingredients

• Mini sweet peppers – Similarly sized, for even cooking.
• Cream cheese – Full fat, softened.
• Cheddar cheese – Shredded.
• Green onion – Sliced.
• Ranch dressing powder – Or 2 tbsp of homemade Ranch Dressing as a substitute.
• Bacon – Regular cut, not thick cut. One whole slice per pepper.

How to Make Sweet Pepper Poppers

Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.

Wash the peppers. Using the tip of a sharp knife, slice from just below the stem to the tip, keeping the pepper as whole as possible, and remove the seeds.

Mix the softened cream cheese, cheddar, green onion, and ranch dressing powder in a small bowl. Using a small spoon, stuff about 2 tablespoons of the filling into each pepper, pressing it in with the spoon.

Wrap each pepper in a whole slice of bacon. Air fry at 400°F for about 12 to 15 minutes, or until the bacon is cooked through.

Make It A Meal

Build a full spread with Cajun Shrimp Dip, Pickled Cauliflower, and Poppable Pork Shots alongside these.

Storage

These are not freezer-friendly. Sweet mini peppers do not hold up well through freezing and thawing, so this dish is best enjoyed fresh from the air fryer. Refrigerated leftovers keep for a couple of days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Want even more keto deliciousness? Check out this selection of keto appetizers, and if you need something heartier, this Sausage Parmigiana or keto casseroles might hit the spot! This keto soup is a favorite of mine, and if you’re a soup lover, these keto soups and chowders are not to be missed!