I remember the first time I made these little beauties. It was the night before our annual holiday party, and I needed one more vegetarian appetizer to round out the table. I had mini sweet peppers, a log of goat cheese, and a handful of fresh herbs. I stuffed them, roasted them for just a few minutes, and hoped for the best. By the time the first round of guests arrived, the peppers were gone. Every. Single. One.
Hi, I’m Shaym from SoolFood, and these Stuffed Mini Peppers with Goat Cheese & Herbs have since become my go-to appetizer for any holiday get-together. They’re colorful, crowd-pleasing, and come together in just 20 minutes.
🧄 Why You’ll Love These Stuffed Mini Peppers
These peppers are a holiday appetizer dream: bright, creamy, flavorful, and easy to prep ahead. They hit all the right notes for festive finger food, especially when you need something vegetarian and beautiful on a platter.
The goat cheese filling is whipped with cream cheese and fresh herbs like thyme and chives, giving each bite a creamy, tangy finish. And the peppers? They’re sweet, tender, and the perfect edible shell.
Serve them warm or cold. They shine either way. Pair them with other holiday favorites like this air fryer carrots recipe or vegan snack board ideas for a complete spread.
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
- 12–15 mini sweet peppers (halved and deseeded)
- 4 oz goat cheese, softened
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Olive oil for brushing
Optional: red pepper flakes, honey drizzle, or toasted pine nuts for topping.
👩🍳 How to Make Stuffed Mini Peppers with Goat Cheese & Herbs
1. Preheat your oven: 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. Prep the peppers: Slice the mini peppers lengthwise and remove seeds.
3. Make the filling: In a bowl, mix goat cheese, cream cheese, herbs, lemon zest, salt, and pepper until creamy and well blended.
4. Fill the peppers: Spoon or pipe the cheese mixture into each pepper half.
5. Bake: Place on the baking sheet, brush edges with olive oil, and bake for 10–12 minutes, until the peppers soften slightly and the cheese is lightly golden.
6. Garnish & serve: Sprinkle with extra herbs or a drizzle of honey for added flavor.
These also make a wonderful cold appetizer, just skip the baking step for a crunchy bite instead!
Holiday Party Pairings
These goat cheese stuffed peppers go great with sparkling drinks and other festive bites. I often pair them with chicken quesadillas sliced into small wedges or colorful crudité platters.
If you want to wow your guests with a vegetarian-friendly Christmas appetizer that’s both gorgeous and satisfying, this is it.
They’re also ideal for Christmas brunch, Christmas Eve appetizers, or even as a make-ahead snack for holiday hosting.