The Banana Pepper Swap That Turns A Classic Appetizer Into A New Tangy Favorite

Can't take the heat? It's okay, you're not alone — that's why mild peppers are the clutchest in the game. Meet the banana pepper. Banana peppers are as mild as they are vibrant yellow, delivering a distinct tang and sweetness compared to picante chili peppers. This makes them the perfect alternative to hotter jalapeños in traditionally spicy dishes like jalapeño poppers. You can tell whether your jalapeños will be hot or not just by looking at them, but stuffed banana peppers — or banana pepper poppers (Say that five times fast) — take heat out of the equation to become your new favorite stuffed pepper dish.

The highly versatile banana pepper has thick walls, just like a jalapeño, making it ideal for stuffing. Yet, according to the Scoville scale, which measures peppers' spiciness, banana peppers are at least five times milder than jalapeños. The more ripe the banana pepper, the sweeter it becomes, but if you're looking for a touch of heat, leave the white pith (or ribs) in tact. All chili pepper pith contains levels of capsaicin, a compound that triggers heat and spice sensations, but using fresh banana peppers — rather than jarred or pickled — intensifies the dish's sweet flavor. Since fresh banana peppers can be rarer to find than jarred, fresh pepperoncini or shishito peppers would also suffice as both produce a similar heat.

Luckily, due to the pepper's agreeable flavor, banana pepper poppers can be customized with just about any cheese, protein, seasoning, garnish, and sauce. Many recipes incorporate a variety of fillings, turning banana pepper poppers into a globally inspired dish. More tolerable than jalapeño poppers, banana pepper poppers make the perfect addition to a kid-friendly snack buffet, for a guaranteed win in your kitchen.

Shredded sharp cheddar is a favorable choice for banana pepper poppers as the tanginess adds bold flavor. But you can achieve the ultimate cheese pull by using shredded mozzarella in addition to cheddar and cream cheese. Sprinkling grated parmesan on top creates a nuttiness and crunch you won't be able to resist.

Any ground meat will serve banana pepper poppers well, which is why Italian sausage is a popular choice. However, ground beef, turkey, or chicken also offer a protein fix, while complementing the other flavors in the dish. Bacon crumbles are a favorite ingredient in traditional jalapeño poppers, and of course they would be delicious in the banana pepper version, too. But if that sounds a little boring, why not try wrapping your banana pepper poppers in bacon strips? 

While banana peppers are commonly used in Southern dishes, and poppers have been a popular American appetizer since the '90s, why should you be limited to one world cuisine when crafting banana pepper poppers yourself? Some recipes smother the poppers in hearty marinara sauce and add extra shredded cheese for an Italian flair. Add shredded roasted chicken, and you've got a dish that's slightly reminiscent of a non-traditional (but easy) chicken parmesan recipe that anyone can make. Worcestershire sauce can also be added to banana pepper poppers, giving the dish a British spin. However you customize it, banana pepper poppers take the heat off of cooking up a crowd-pleasing, flavor-packed dish.