Blistered shishito peppers with warm cream cheese and crispy bacon are a cousin to the jalapeno popper only better. If you like jalapeno poppers, this is the next appetizer for you to fall in love with. I will warn you these little guys are addicting!!
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How Spicy are Shishitos?
They are milder than a jalapeno and spicier than a bell pepper. I like to describe them as mild and a bit smokey once they are charred and blistered.
Shishitos are typically on the Scoville Scale between 50-200. Whereas the jalapeno is about 2500-8000. So there is quite a bit a difference in heat level if you wish to read more about if shishitos are spicy?
Ingredients
This simple recipe calls for just 4 ingredients. The perfect no-fuss appetizer for any party.
- Shishito Peppers - leave the stems on, just wash & dry them.
- Cream Cheese - full-fat brick cream cheese (not whipped or spread).
- Bacon - pork works best but you can use turkey bacon.
- Garlic - minced fresh cloves.
See the recipe card for amounts & full instructions.
How to Make Shishito Peppers
Here are the easy steps to blistering up these peppers & adding the cream cheese & bacon:
- Prep the Shishitos
- Cook the Bacon & Garlic
- Blister the Shishitos
- Combine & Serve
1 - Prep the Shishitos
Wash and dry the shishito peppers. You want them dry to blister easily in a dry saute pan.
2 - Cook the Bacon & Garlic
Heat up medium-sized saute pan to medium and add diced bacon. Just before the bacon is to your liking, add the garlic to cook for a minute and stir in with the bacon. Cook until crispy and then remove to drain on a plate with a paper towel.
TIP: You can also cook turkey bacon in the microwave oven as an alternate for the pork bacon. Saute garlic in a teaspoon of olive oil instead of the bacon grease.
3 - Blister the Shishitos
In a dry saute pan over medium-high heat cook the shishito peppers. Turn them every few minutes to ensure all sides get blistered and roasted.
Look at those babies. They are shriveling up a bit and getting toasty. The smokey flavor this adds to the mild peppers really is key in this recipe.
4 - Combine & Serve
Once the peppers are soft and blistered, add the cream cheese and toss to help melt and coat the peppers slightly. The cream cheese will not melt evenly but just enough to help some of the bacon and garlic to stick.
Remove from pan and place into a serving dish. Sprinkle with the bacon bit and garlic mixture.
If you love these, try Air Fryer Shishito Peppers for another fun & easy recipe.
Shishito Peppers with Cream Cheese & Bacon
Ingredients
- 6 oz shishito peppers
- 3 slices bacon diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 2 oz cream cheese diced & softened
Instructions
- Wash and dry the shishito peppers. You want them dry to blister easily in a dry saute pan.
- Heat up medium-sized saute pan to medium and add diced bacon. Just before the bacon is to your liking, add the garlic to cook for a minute and stir in with the bacon. Cook until crispy and then remove to drain on a plate with a paper towel.3 slices bacon
- Remove bacon grease from the saute pan or use a different medium-sized saute pan.
- In a dry saute pan over medium-high heat cook the shishito peppers. Using tongs, turn them every few minutes to ensure all sides get blistered and roasted.6 oz shishito peppers
- Once the peppers are soft and blistered, add the cream cheese and toss to help melt and coat the peppers slightly. Remove from pan and place into a serving dish. Sprinkle with the bacon and garlic mixture.1 teaspoon garlic, 2 oz cream cheese
- Serve with another smaller dish/bowl to place the stems after a pepper is eaten.
Beth Balberchak says
These look delicious! Thanks for the recipe
Lisa Manderino says
I love getting new ideas of delicious appetizers to try! Can't wait!
Angela says
I hope you love them and beware of the "hot one!"
Carol says
Thanks for this great looking recipe! I love jalapeno poppers, but since I'm gluten-free, I can't eat the premade ones. This will be a great substitute and I'll bet they taste much better as well.
Angela says
They are really good. I too try to eat gluten-free most of the time so these for me are wonderful. I think I make some sort of shishito recipe at least 2x a month!
Maria Gustafsson says
This looks so easy to make! I may even try it one day 🙂
Jen says
These look delicious. Thank you for sharing.
Matt Epley says
I don't usually like peppers, but these look too good to pass up.
Angela says
They are very flavorful without bringing the heat. I think that is why my family enjoys them so much - give them a try.
Ramae Hamrin says
I've never heard of these peppers. Going through places with Trader Joe's in a couple weeks. Will look for them. These look delicious!
Tricia Snow says
This is the perfect alternative to jalapenos! Will be trying this next summer!
Angela says
They are still in season now if you find them in stores!
Hollie says
Delicious! Can't wait to give these a try!
Lisa says
These look delicious!
Shannon says
Oooooh, i need to see if i can find these in Hawaii!
Angela says
I will personally deliver some to you if you buy my plane ticket - haha!ALOHA!
Pauline Reynolds says
This looks delicious. We are doing salsa this weekend, so I will try this then.
Lisa says
We had these peppers when we went out to eat the other night. So yummy!!!!!
Angela says
They are super popular now and I know why - so tasty and can be prepared with so many different ingredients.
Cindy says
I want to try blistering peppers! I’m plant based so I’ll come up with another way to use them however I must try them. They look so good.
Angela says
Cindy- the roasting really brings out a great smokey flavor on these sweet peppers. Try them maybe with some tahini and soy sauce!
Amber says
This looks absolutely delish! I will try this at our next camp out!
Karla Petersen says
I pinned this. Must try it!!!
Angela says
Thanks Karla
bee says
These look SO yummy! And quick and easy to make as well. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
T.M. says
Oh, I have a house full of testosterone who would LOVE to bite into these peppers!!! Yum!! I'm going to make sure I give this a try.
Miz Helen says
This looks like a fantastic dish that we will love! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday,448 and hope you will come back soon!
Miz Helen
Angela says
You are welcome - love your blog too!
Tamara says
I am looking forward to trying these! I love jalapeño poppers but they are a bit tedious to make. It sounds like these would be easier and less time consuming
Angela says
They are easier to make which is a good thing since as they peppers start to cook it smells so good that you want them right away
Irene says
I have seen these peppers at the store, but didn't know how to cook them; now I really want to try this recipe, thank you, Angela!