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You are here: Home / Recipes / Appetizers / Loaded Bell Pepper Nachos

Loaded Bell Pepper Nachos

Published January 20, 2021. Last updated February 1, 2021 by Lauren Vavala

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loaded bell pepper nachos with text overlay
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Loaded Bell Pepper Nachos are a low carb, keto-friendly alternative to classic Mexican nachos. This nutritious recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make and can be enjoyed as an appetizer, snack, or meal.

Overhead of a tray of loaded bell pepper nachos topped with sour cream and guacamole

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One of my favorite things to do is take classic recipes and make low carb and keto friendly versions of them. It’s one strategy to help keep me from falling too far off of my low carb lifestyle.

My fiancé and I love traditional nachos and order them pretty much anytime they are on the menu when we go out to eat. Sadly for us, keto nachos are never on the menu, so I decided to make them myself. This recipe, as written, has just 9 net carbohydrates per generous serving.

This is a healthier version of classic nachos that uses pieces of bell peppers as a replacement for the tortilla chips. You can even use this same idea in my recipe for Vegetarian Nachos.

Why This Recipe Works

These colorful nachos are just as quick and easy to make as any other nachos recipe. From start to finish, it takes less than 30 minutes to make.

It’s a perfect low carb, keto-friendly alternative to classic nachos that is equally as delicious. You still get a little crunch from the peppers and tons of cheesy flavor!

You can enjoy these nachos as an appetizer, game day snack or even as a complete meal.

How To Make Loaded Bell Pepper Nachos

Ingredients

Ingredients to make loaded bell pepper nachos on a white background with labels

  • You can use any combination of bell peppers that you like. I prefer to use the mini peppers as they are really simple to cut into the perfect size.
  • Swap in and out ingredients to suit your own tastes. You will find plenty of nacho topping suggestions further down this post.

The entire recipe and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.

Prep!

Cut your peppers into smaller triangular pieces to resemble tortilla chips. 

Chef’s Tip: mini peppers work great in this recipe. Simply trim the top off and slice straight down each side of the center membrane where the seeds are. Discard the membrane and seeds.

Shred the cheddar cheese from a block. Pre-shredded bagged cheese contains added starches and can make your cheese gritty when melted.

Chef’s Tip: you can prep your toppings while the nachos are baking in the oven.

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Create!

Skillet with seasoned ground beef crumbles in it

Add the ground beef, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, breaking up until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.

Chef’s Tip: use a meat chopper to help get the meat finely ground up. I don’t recommend too many tools that aren’t the “norm,” but I love this. The chopper I use is from Pampered Chef, but there are a few brands that carry them now.

Mini peppers cut in half and spread out onto a baking sheet

Place the bell pepper pieces, cut side up, on a baking sheet, spreading out as much as possible.

Mini bell peppers cut in half and filled with a taco meat on a baking sheet

Fill each pepper with the ground beef mixture.

Mini sweet peppers cut in half and topped with ground beef and cheese on a baking sheet

Top with the cheddar cheese.

Baked bell pepper nachos with melted cheese on a baking sheet before nacho toppings are added

Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted. You want the peppers to be warm, but still crisp.

Present!

Close up of loaded bell pepper nachos

Remove the nachos from the oven and top with slices of cherry tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, cilantro, sour cream and guacamole. Feel free to swap in and out toppings to suit your own taste. More suggestions are below.

More Nacho Topping Suggestions

In addition to the toppings suggested in the recipe, you may also like:

  • pico de gallo 
  • diced red onion
  • olives
  • lettuce
  • avocado
  • kidney beans (if not keto)
  • black beans (if not keto)

If you’d rather not use bell peppers, you can also make keto nachos with pork rinds or make your own tortilla chips with low carb tortillas. Using bell peppers is the most nutritious option.

Tips and Techniques

  • You can use any combination of bell peppers that you like. Mini sweet peppers are really simple to cut into the perfect size.
  • You can swap in and out ingredients to suit your own tastes. 
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3 days. An added bonus to making nachos with bell peppers is that the leftovers don’t get soggy like they do when tortilla chips are used.

FAQ’s

Are Nachos Keto?

Classic nachos are not keto. Tortilla chips are made from corn which is high in carbohydrates.

Are Bell Peppers Keto?

Bell peppers are a keto friendly vegetable option. One medium pepper has approximately 5 grams of net carbs.

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Print

Loaded Bell Pepper Nachos

Loaded Bell Pepper Nachos are a low carb, keto-friendly alternative to classic Mexican nachos. This nutritious recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make and can be enjoyed as an appetizer, snack, or meal.
Course Appetizer, Main Dish, Snack
Cuisine American, Gluten Free, Low Carb
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 377kcal
Author Lauren Harris

Ingredients

Bell Pepper Nachos

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 pounds bell peppers (or mini sweet peppers)
  • 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)

Nacho Toppings

  • 10 cherry tomatoes (sliced or halved)
  • 1 jalapeño pepper (sliced)
  • 1/4 cup cilantro (finely chopped)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup guacamole

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Add the ground beef, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, breaking up until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Place the bell pepper pieces, cut side up, on a baking sheet, spreading out as much as possible.
  • Fill each pepper with the ground beef mixture. Top with the cheddar cheese.
  • Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted. You want the peppers to be warm, but still crisp.
  • Remove the nachos from the oven and top with slices of cherry tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, cilantro, sour cream and guacamole. See notes for more topping suggestions.

Notes

Tips and Techniques

  • You can use any combination of bell peppers that you like. Mini sweet peppers are really simple to cut into the perfect size.
  • You can swap in and out ingredients to suit your own tastes. See the nacho topping suggestions below.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3 days. An added bonus to making nachos with bell peppers is that the leftovers don’t get soggy like they do when tortilla chips are used.

More Nacho Topping Suggestions

In addition to the toppings suggested in the recipe, you may also like:
  • pico de galo
  • diced red onion
  • olives
  • lettuce
  • avocado
  • kidney beans (if not keto)
  • black beans (if not keto)
** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 377kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 662mg | Potassium: 817mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 5779IU | Vitamin C: 205mg | Calcium: 263mg | Iron: 4mg

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Filed Under: Appetizers, Beef, Gluten Free, Low Carb, Main Dish, Recipes

Welcome, I'm Lauren!

Delicious Little Bites is where I share all types of recipes from appetizers to desserts. You will also find plenty of keto, gluten free, and vegetarian recipes here to help you put a delicious meal on the table every night that the whole family will love! Read More...

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