Stuffed with three different kinds of cheese and lots of pimentos, these sweet pepper poppers are grilled until perfectly smoky and the most addicting summer appetizer!

Step aside, jalapeno poppers! There’s a new gal in town and she’s just about the most addictive thing you’ll ever throw on your grill this summer.
We’re swapping out the spicy jalapenos for their sweet cousin today and stuffing these beauts to capacity with a creamy 3-cheese filling, lots of pimentos, fresh basil, and sending it all to the grill.
Suffice to say, it’s your new favorite snack.

You’re only going to need 7 simple ingredients and about 20 minutes to pull off these peppers making them ideal for pretty much any kind of gathering this summer! They’re a great little teaser to throw on the grill at a cookout and will definitely get the appetites rolling.
These Pepper Poppers feature…
- Gooey cheddar, Parmesan, and cream cheese
- Flavorful pimentos and fresh basil
- Tender mini sweet peppers
- Ready in minutes and cooked entirely on the grill

Making the Pepper Poppers
(scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe)
Ingredients You Will Need
- Cream cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Pimentos
- Garlic
- Mini sweet peppers
- Basil

Tips for Perfect Pepper Poppers
- Buy 12 mini peppers – depending on the size of your peppers, I found that there’s usually enough of the cream cheese filling for 10-12 peppers, so error on the side of having more.
- Soften cream cheese – this will make it much easier to incorporate into the other ingredients.
- Grill poppers on a grill pan or tin foil – this will eliminate the risk of peppers falling through the grates while they cook.
- Top poppers with basil after cooking – this adds an amazing pop of herby flavor!
Recipe Variations
Try these ideas for a different twist on these peppers.
- Use jalapenos – jalapenos can easily be substituted for the sweet peppers for a spicy version.
- Top poppers with bacon – top the peppers with crispy bacon bits after grilling.
- Substitute cheese – shredded gouda, pepperjack, mozzarella, or asiago would all work great.
- Swap out fresh herbs – try fresh chives, oregano, or parsley instead of the basil.
Oven Instructions
Don’t have a grill? You can easily make these poppers in the oven instead! Arrange poppers in a single layer on a greased sheet pan and bake at 400F 15-20 minutes until filling is bubbly.

You’ll soon see why one of these poppers turns into many more! The rich cheese filling paired with the flavorful pimentos and all that incredible smoky grill flavor makes for the most perfect bite.
I mean, I’d go so far as to call this entire-meal material.
Save this recipe using the ‘save to recipe box’ button below. If you make it, please let us know! Leave a comment + star rating below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram with #wholeandheavenlyoven.

More summery appetizers to make next!
Grilled Sweet Pepper Poppers
This recipe may included paid links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 medium cloves garlic, minced
- 4 oz jarred pimentos, drained
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 10-12 mini sweet peppers, halved and cored
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, cheddar, Parmesan, garlic, and pimentos until creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste and fill pepper halves with cream cheese filling.
- Preheat a grill to 400F. Once grill is preheated, arrange poppers in a single layer in a grill pan or on a sheet of tin foil and allow to cook 6-8 minutes until peppers are tender and filling is bubbly.
- Transfer poppers to a serving plate and top with basil. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This post was updated with new recipe adjustments and photos on 6/12/25.
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
These look so good – cheesy peppers are one of my favorite gluten free appetizers!
Sarah says
Thanks Kelly!!
Melanie @ Gather for Bread says
I love cheesy poppers. These look so good!
Pinned. 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks girlie!! xoxo
Rachel @ Bakerita says
Oh my goodness, these look SO good Sarah, and I love your photos!!
Sarah says
Aww thanks girlfriend! xoxo
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I’ve never cooked with pimentos before, though I do love them! This is such a great idea, Sarah! I love how these are perfectly portable and poppable, so perfect for summer! I would definitely sneak about two (or ten) of these babies. Love the cheese and pimento combo!
Sarah says
Haha YES to sneaking 10 of these. It’s just gonna happen. 😉
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Mmm, just look at all those metly cheesy goodness stuffed peppers! I just know these will be delicious. Can’t go wrong with sweet peppers and melty cheese. I’m actually a bit of a wimp when it comes to heat, and I can’t even eat jalapeno poppers. Too spicy! So these will be a great substitute.
Sarah says
Haha! I myself have kinda a love/hate relationship with spicy jalapenos—I love how they taste but hate the aftermath! LOL.
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen says
wow Sarah this recipe looks absolutely AWESOME!! My husband is a cheese lover I bet he will love this recipe and I’ll make it for him. Thanks a lot for sharing 😉
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
They are SO pretty! Love the cheesy-pimento-ey yumminess happening here! Gimme!
Sarah says
Thanks girl!! xoxo 🙂
Kelley @ Chef Savvy says
These sound fantastic! My Dad is growing green pepper “poppers” in the garden and this would be a great way to use them!
Sarah says
Thanks Kelly! It sounds like you definitely have these poppers in your future!
Ashley says
I’ve been eying the mini sweet peppers at the store the last few weeks… it might be time to buy some! These poppers sound awesome!
Sarah says
Yes! Get your hands on some mini sweet peppers asap, Ashley!!
Allie | Baking A Moment says
We always have a bag of those cute mini-peppers in our fridge. My kids love them! I will have to try this recipe I bet they would love it!
Sarah says
Haha! So do we! My family can’t get enough of ’em. 🙂 LMK how your kids like these poppers, girlie!
Mira says
So creative and I’m sure these taste amazing! Pinned!
Sarah says
Thanks for pinning, Mira!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
These poppers look gorgeous, Sarah! I love those adorable mini peppers! Stuffing them with all that yummy cheesy goodness and throwing them on the grill sounds so delish – they’re the perfect apps for summer!
Sarah says
Thanks Kelly! They’re definitely my new favorite choice of summer app!
Joanne says
CHEESE STUFFED PEPPERS. What is there not to love?! I could definitely make a meal out of just these.
Sarah says
Yyyess to making an entire meal outta these peppers! It’s just bound to happen. 😉
Megan says
Is there anything better than stuffed sweet peppers?! Looks so good!!
Sarah says
Haha! Nothing I can think of! 😉 Thanks Megan!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
These look so delicious, Sarah! Love the use of pimento. I need these peppers in my life stat!
Sarah says
Thanks Jen! You for sure need to try these!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
pepper is probably my favorite thing in the world (okay, besides chocolate) and so I’m all over these Sarah! they look fantastic!
Sarah says
Haha there’s just no beating chocolate, is there?? LOL. Thanks so much, girl!