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    Home » Appetizers & Drinks

    Updated: Aug 13, 2024 · Published: Aug 22, 2019 · by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · 31 Comments

    Shishito Peppers with Cream Cheese and Bacon

    Jump to Recipe

    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!!

    Jump to:
    • How Spicy are Shishitos?
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Shishito Peppers
    • Shishito Peppers with Cream Cheese & Bacon

    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
    • 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:

    1. Prep the Shishitos
    2. Cook the Bacon & Garlic
    3. Blister the Shishitos
    4. Combine & Serve

    1 - Prep the Shishitos

    Wash and dry the shishito peppers. You want them dry to blister easily in a dry saute pan.

    shishito peppers

    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.

    Shishito peppers with Cream Cheese and Bacon

    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.

    Shishito peppers with Cream Cheese and Bacon

    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.

    Shishito peppers with Cream Cheese and Bacon

    Remove from pan and place into a serving dish. Sprinkle with the bacon bit and garlic mixture.

    Shishito Peppers with Cream Cheese and Bacon

    If you love these, try Air Fryer Shishito Peppers for another fun & easy recipe.

    Shishito Peppers with Cream Cheese & Bacon

    Shishito Peppers with Cream Cheese & Bacon

    Angela
    Shishito Peppers are a mild pepper blistered in a pan and then tossed with cream cheese and bacon.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share on Facebook
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American, Japanese
    Servings 4
    Calories 128 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 6 oz shishito peppers
    • 3 slices bacon diced
    • 1 teaspoon garlic minced
    • 2 oz cream cheese diced & softened
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 128kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 155mgPotassium: 129mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 354IUVitamin C: 34mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.2mg
    Keyword appetizer, easy, gluten-free, grain-free, keto, low carb, quick, summer
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Beth Balberchak says

      September 02, 2019 at 9:00 am

      These look delicious! Thanks for the recipe

      Reply
    2. Lisa Manderino says

      September 02, 2019 at 11:05 am

      I love getting new ideas of delicious appetizers to try! Can't wait!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        September 02, 2019 at 2:49 pm

        I hope you love them and beware of the "hot one!"

        Reply
    3. Carol says

      September 02, 2019 at 12:15 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        September 02, 2019 at 2:49 pm

        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!

        Reply
    4. Maria Gustafsson says

      September 02, 2019 at 1:25 pm

      This looks so easy to make! I may even try it one day 🙂

      Reply
    5. Jen says

      September 02, 2019 at 2:32 pm

      These look delicious. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
    6. Matt Epley says

      September 02, 2019 at 2:32 pm

      I don't usually like peppers, but these look too good to pass up.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        September 02, 2019 at 2:47 pm

        They are very flavorful without bringing the heat. I think that is why my family enjoys them so much - give them a try.

        Reply
    7. Ramae Hamrin says

      September 02, 2019 at 2:53 pm

      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!

      Reply
    8. Tricia Snow says

      September 02, 2019 at 5:33 pm

      This is the perfect alternative to jalapenos! Will be trying this next summer!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        September 02, 2019 at 7:02 pm

        They are still in season now if you find them in stores!

        Reply
    9. Hollie says

      September 02, 2019 at 5:51 pm

      Delicious! Can't wait to give these a try!

      Reply
    10. Lisa says

      September 02, 2019 at 7:00 pm

      These look delicious!

      Reply
    11. Shannon says

      September 02, 2019 at 10:32 pm

      Oooooh, i need to see if i can find these in Hawaii!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        September 03, 2019 at 5:27 pm

        I will personally deliver some to you if you buy my plane ticket - haha!ALOHA!

        Reply
    12. Pauline Reynolds says

      September 03, 2019 at 5:37 am

      This looks delicious. We are doing salsa this weekend, so I will try this then.

      Reply
    13. Lisa says

      September 03, 2019 at 8:51 am

      We had these peppers when we went out to eat the other night. So yummy!!!!!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        September 03, 2019 at 5:26 pm

        They are super popular now and I know why - so tasty and can be prepared with so many different ingredients.

        Reply
    14. Cindy says

      September 03, 2019 at 4:25 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        September 03, 2019 at 5:27 pm

        Cindy- the roasting really brings out a great smokey flavor on these sweet peppers. Try them maybe with some tahini and soy sauce!

        Reply
    15. Amber says

      September 03, 2019 at 6:24 pm

      This looks absolutely delish! I will try this at our next camp out!

      Reply
    16. Karla Petersen says

      September 03, 2019 at 10:05 pm

      I pinned this. Must try it!!!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        September 04, 2019 at 6:54 am

        Thanks Karla

        Reply
    17. bee says

      September 04, 2019 at 3:13 pm

      These look SO yummy! And quick and easy to make as well. Thanks for sharing this recipe!

      Reply
    18. T.M. says

      September 08, 2019 at 3:02 pm

      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.

      Reply
    19. Miz Helen says

      September 09, 2019 at 7:19 pm

      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

      Reply
      • Angela says

        September 09, 2019 at 7:49 pm

        You are welcome - love your blog too!

        Reply
    20. Tamara says

      April 15, 2020 at 8:49 pm

      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

      Reply
      • Angela says

        April 15, 2020 at 9:11 pm

        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

        Reply
    21. Irene says

      April 22, 2020 at 8:28 am

      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!

      Reply

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