Blistered shishito peppers with warm cream cheese and crispy bacon are a cousin to the jalapeno popper only better. If you like bacon-wrapped jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese, this is the next appetizer for you to fall in love with. I will warn you this may become addictive especially to those on a keto, grain-free, or gluten-free diet.
I have to admit, they may not be the most glamorous of appetizers but they are kick-ass delicious, and amazingly easy to make. This quick low-carb appetizer is perfect for anyone on a ketogenic diet. Shishito peppers with cream cheese and bacon are less than 1 net carb per serving and have about 11g fat. All the flavor and none of the guilt. For another low-carb appetizer that any cheese-lover will enjoy is my SOUTHERN PIMENTO CHEESE recipe.
They are also very budget-friendly to make these homemade at home versus buying them at a restaurant. I think here locally in the pricey Silicon Valley, a shishito appetizer on a menu is typically about $12-15! Crazy I know. But to make this recipe at home and includes bacon, is about ¼ the price.
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 https://www.pepperscale.com/hot-pepper-list/ between 50-200. Whereas the jalapeno is about 2500-8000. So there is quite a bit a difference in heat level.
But there is a bit of a "Russian Roulette" risk that falls upon the shishito eating adventure. Every now and again there is a HOT one in the batch. You never know which one it is as color or size seems to have nothing to do with it. You just bite and WHAM - HOT MOMMA! (but still not as hot as a jalapeno but will surprise a kid!)
Why these Shishito Peppers are Better than Bacon-Wrapped Jalapenos:
- Less Labor-Intensive than assembling bacon-wrapped jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese
- Shishitos are milder than jalapenos so more family-friendly
- Quicker cooking time as they are typically a smaller pepper
- Better for a crowd where different levels of spice enjoyment exist
shishito peppers
How to Blister Shishito Peppers
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.
small diced bacon getting crispy
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.
blistering the shishito peppers
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.
add cream cheese
Remove from pan and place into a serving dish. Sprinkle with the bacon bit and garlic mixture.
Shishito Peppers with Cream Cheese & Bacon
PIN FOR SAFEKEEPING & SHARING!
Shishito Peppers with Cream Cheese and Bacon PIN
Product Recommendations for this Recipe:
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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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Serve with another smaller dish/bowl to place the stems after a pepper is eaten.
Notes
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 4 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 135 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 10.9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol 31mg | 10% |
| Sodium 374mg | 16% |
| Total Carbohydrate 0.9g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 0.3g | 1% |
| Total Sugars 0.3g | |
| Protein 6.5g | |
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!