Herbed Goat Cheese-Stuffed Peppadews

Here’s a flavorful appetizer that’s sure to win over your guests: Herby Goat Cheese Stuffed Peppadews. These bite-sized peppers are bright, slightly sweet, and mild in heat—perfect to serve at a party, a casual gathering, or as an elegant starter for a dinner.

I developed this simple at-home version inspired by a favorite local restaurant appetizer. The original combines pickled peppadews with herbed goat cheese, a pesto vinaigrette, and crunchy candied pecans. For a streamlined, approachable recipe, I use store-bought pesto and chopped walnuts for the same satisfying mix of creaminess, herb-forward tang, and texture.

If you haven’t tried Peppadew peppers before, they’re a delightful discovery. Peppadew is a brand name for a small, pickled red pepper (also known as Juanita) with a unique flavor that balances sweetness and a peppery note. These peppers are sold pickled and retain a pleasant crunch, making them ideal for stuffing. Because their heat is very mild, they’re accessible to most palates.

For this recipe, each pepper is filled with herbed goat cheese, placed in a small oven-safe dish, and drizzled with a simple pesto vinaigrette made from olive oil, white wine vinegar, and a spoonful of pesto. A scattering of roughly chopped walnuts adds crunch and a nutty contrast. A quick bake melts the cheese slightly and warms the peppers, bringing out their sweet-tangy character.

These Herby Goat Cheese Stuffed Peppadews are excellent for entertaining because much of the work can be done ahead of time. You can stuff the peppers and prepare the pesto vinaigrette in advance; when guests arrive, arrange the peppers in a dish, drizzle most of the vinaigrette, bake for about 10 minutes, and finish with the remaining dressing just before serving. They’re best served warm with toothpicks for easy grabbing.