Spicy Chili Pepper Fiesta (Printable)

Colorful chili peppers paired with creamy, zesty dips create a festive, flavorful party platter.

# Ingredient list:

→ Chili Peppers

01 - 3 large red bell peppers
02 - 3 large yellow bell peppers
03 - 3 large orange bell peppers
04 - 4 to 6 assorted fresh chili peppers (e.g., jalapeños, Fresno, serrano), adjust quantity for desired heat

→ Dips

05 - 1 cup classic guacamole
06 - 1 cup spicy roasted red pepper hummus
07 - 1 cup mango salsa
08 - 1 cup creamy chipotle yogurt dip (recipe in notes)

→ Accompaniments

09 - 2 cups blue corn tortilla chips
10 - 1 cup baby carrots
11 - 1 cup cucumber slices
12 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes

→ Garnishes

13 - ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
14 - 2 limes, cut into wedges

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Wash and dry all peppers. Slice bell peppers vertically into thick strips for scooping, reserving some halves for serving dips.
02 - Cut assorted chili peppers into thin rings or halve lengthwise. Remove seeds if a milder heat is preferred.
03 - Arrange bell pepper strips and chili pepper slices on a large platter, grouping sections by color for visual impact.
04 - Spoon each dip into small bowls or into the reserved pepper halves, then place around the platter as colorful focal points.
05 - Fill remaining spaces on the platter with blue corn tortilla chips, baby carrots, cucumber slices, and cherry tomatoes for texture and variety.
06 - Sprinkle chopped cilantro over the platter and add lime wedges. Serve immediately, encouraging guests to combine peppers with dips as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely stunning on any table, and people always assume you've spent hours preparing when really it's just smart assembly
  • Everything can be prepped ahead, so you're actually relaxing when guests arrive instead of stress-cooking
  • Naturally vegetarian and easily adaptable for vegan diets, meaning no one feels left out at your gathering
  • The combination of fresh, crunchy vegetables with creamy and spicy dips creates an addictive flavor experience
02 -
  • Wet peppers will make your platter look sloppy and cause dips to slide around—dry them completely, even if it feels like overkill
  • Prep everything except final garnish up to 4 hours ahead, then add cilantro and lime wedges right before serving so they stay vibrant and fresh
  • Room temperature is your friend here—cold vegetables taste muted, and you want every flavor to sing
  • If using store-bought dips, transfer them to bowls rather than serving straight from the container, it completely changes how impressive they look
03 -
  • Buy your peppers a day or two before your party when they're at peak firmness—soft peppers are harder to slice cleanly and won't hold dips as well
  • If you're making this for a crowd larger than six, double the recipe, but keep two separate platters rather than one massive one—it prevents the center from getting picked over while the edges stay untouched
  • The secret that changed everything for me was arranging peppers by height variation—tall strips mixed with short ones creates visual interest and makes the platter feel less flat
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