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Halloween at our house means carving pumpkins (and making Toasted Pumpkin Seeds), and one day I realized bell peppers make the cutest mini jack-o’-lanterns too! These Jack-o’-Lantern Bell Peppers are a fun, no-cook way to bring some spooky spirit to the table, carve silly faces into the peppers, fill them with your favorite dip or veggies, and pop the lids back on. My kids love carving the faces almost as much as eating them.
Why Jack-o’-Lantern Bell Peppers for Halloween?
- A Fun Veggie Option: Halloween is all about sweets, so these Jack-o’-Lantern Bell Peppers are a fun way to get something savory and colorful onto the party table too.
- Creative and Engaging: This activity is not only delicious but also an excellent opportunity to involve kids in the kitchen. They can help carve the bell peppers and even fill them with their favorite fillings.
- Eye-Catching Presentation: These bell peppers are a fantastic addition to any Halloween party spread. They’ll be the talk of the town with their cute and spooky faces.
How to Make Jack-O’-Lantern Bell Peppers:
Ingredients:
- Bell peppers (orange, yellow, or red work best)
- A sharp knife or carving tool
- A cutting board
- Your choice of filling (e.g., dip, hummus, delicious salad or more veggies)
Instructions:
1. Choose Your Peppers: Select firm, fresh bell peppers. The orange ones resemble traditional pumpkins, but feel free to use yellow or red ones for a twist.
2. Carve the Faces: Carefully slice off the top of each bell pepper. These will be the “lids.” Now, let your creativity shine by carving spooky or silly faces into the front of each pepper. Triangle eyes, a crooked smile, and a pointy nose are classic choices.
3. Remove Seeds and Membranes: Gently reach inside the peppers to remove any seeds and membranes. Rinse them under cool water to clean out any remaining seeds.
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4. Fill ‘Em Up: Fill the carved bell peppers with your choice of filling. Hummus, guacamole, more veggies, or even a fresh salad make great options.
5. Replace the Lids: Place the “lids” back on top of the filled peppers.
6. Serve and Enjoy: Arrange your Jack-o’-Lantern Bell Peppers on a platter and watch the smiles light up as your little ones discover the delightful surprise inside! You can fill your peppers with anything you like or even with more veggies and add healthy dips on the side like Red Bell Pepper Hummus, Guacamole or this homemade Ranch Dip!
More Healthy Halloween Recipes
Jack-O’-Lantern Bell Peppers are a brilliant way to infuse some creativity into your Halloween celebrations. They’re a treat for the eyes and the taste buds, making them a win-win for both kids and adults. So, get carving, fill those peppers, and let the Halloween festivities begin!
Let me know what you think of this idea in the comments or tag me on social media if you make them!
Images by Ivan Solis
Jack-o’-Lantern Bell Peppers
Ingredients
- bell peppers (orange, yellow or red)
- filling of choice (hummus, guacamole, more veggies or a salad will work!)
Instructions
- Carefully slice off the top of each bell pepper or carve out a small opening. These will be the “lids.”
- Carving spooky or silly faces into the front of each pepper. Triangle eyes, a crooked smile, and a pointy nose are classic choices.
- Gently reach inside the peppers to remove any seeds and membranes. Rinse them under cool water to clean out any remaining seeds.
- Fill the carved bell peppers with your choice of filling. Hummus, guacamole, more veggies, or even a fresh salad make great options.
- Place the “lids” back on top of the filled peppers.
- Arrange your Jack-o’-Lantern Bell Peppers on a platter and watch the smiles light up as your little ones discover the delightful surprise inside!
