What Are Peppadew Peppers?

You may have come across Peppadew peppers while perusing a salad bar or enjoying a charcuterie platter. With their sweet and tangy flavor, paired with a surprising burst of fruity heat, these peppers are anything but ordinary. Although they may look like typical pickled cherry peppers, those who've tasted their distinctive snap and bold flavor know they're in a class of their own.

What Exactly Are Peppadews?

'Peppadew' is the brand name for the company that produces these deliciously sweet, spicy, and tangy pickled Juanita piquanté peppers. These small, vibrant red (and occasionally yellow) peppers offer a predominantly sweet flavor with just a hint of heat. Described as 'sweet piquanté,' Peppadews combine the sweetness of the pepper with a light, peppery spice. The tangy pickling brine adds an extra layer of acidity, making them the ideal choice for anyone who loves cherry peppers or roasted red peppers but is looking for something with a bit more zing.

Are Peppadew Peppers Spicy?

Peppadews are naturally mild peppers, soaked in a sweet and subtly tangy brine. They offer just a faint kick of heat, making them a gentle, sweet pepper overall. Compared to pepperoncini, they're less sour, but more complex in flavor than standard roasted red peppers. With a satisfying crunch, they’re perfect for those who aren’t fans of intense heat but still crave bold peppery taste. If you prefer a pepper with more flavor than heat, Peppadews are a great choice.

Where to Purchase Peppadew Peppers

You can occasionally find Peppadew peppers at well-stocked grocery stores like Sprouts and Whole Foods. Since they pair wonderfully with charcuterie and antipasti, check your local Italian specialty shops or delis. If in-store shopping isn’t yielding results, Peppadews are available online through retailers such as Amazon, Nuts.com, or various specialty food websites.

Creative Ways to Enjoy Peppadew Peppers

With their distinct and delightful flavor, Peppadews shine on their own as part of an antipasti platter or paired with rich, creamy cheeses. A particularly delicious way to serve them is by stuffing them. While their small openings can be tricky, using a pastry bag or even a zip-top bag with a snipped corner makes it easy to fill them. Soft, creamy cheeses like ricotta or mascarpone work wonderfully—just be sure to season with plenty of salt and pepper for extra flavor.

Adding lemon zest and finely chopped fresh herbs like basil or oregano can enhance the flavor of the filling.

Try This: Spicy Mediterranean Chicken with Sausage-Stuffed Cherry Peppers

Peppadews are also a great addition to sandwiches, such as Italian hoagies or even hot grinders, as well as on pizzas. If you love Romesco sauce, a Spanish spread made with bread, almonds, and roasted red peppers, consider tossing in a handful of Peppadews along with the usual red peppers for an extra kick.

Substitutes for Peppadew Peppers

Peppadews are known for their unique flavor and crisp texture, making them hard to replace. While there isn’t a perfect substitute, there are a few options you can use depending on the dish and how you plan to use them.

Jarred roasted red peppers share a similar mild sweetness and can be a good substitute in dishes where the pepper is blended or used in a sauce. However, since Peppadews have a more tart profile, you might want to add a bit more acid to your recipe. Piquillos are another great option if you're looking to stuff small peppers as appetizers. While they are softer in texture, they offer a sweet flavor with just a hint of heat.

For dishes that require the tang of Peppadews, pickled pepperoncini or sweet pickled cherry peppers can be a suitable alternative. If the recipe calls for chopped Peppadews, pimentos can be used as a substitute. For snacking, jarred 'Sweety Drop' or Biquinho peppers closely resemble the flavor and texture of Peppadews, though they can be harder to find.