Who says nachos have to be made with tortilla chips? Mini peppers are a great alternative for your keto nachos. Delicious, easy, and kid-friendly!
Hey nacho fans! Now there’s a healthier way to enjoy your favorite football snack. Really, it doesn’t get any easier than slicing and coring a few delicious mini peppers and sprinkling it with spiced ground beef, cheese, and some fun nacho toppings.
Life is too busy to slave away at the stove every evening. You need easy healthy meals and I do too. That’s where the idea for these fun and healthy keto nachos came in.
I stood there, holding a bag of mini peppers, just knowing I could do something interesting with them. And they really appealed to my kids. Just look how pretty and colorful they are!
Why this recipe is so awesome
Keto cooking is all about finding new and innovates ways to make our old favorites healthier. And all nachos really need is a replacement for the tortilla chips.
Tortilla chips clock in at a hefty 20g of carbs per serving (13 chips). Whereas sweet bell peppers have only 6g of carbs per cup. And peppers contain a number of essential vitamins and minerals our bodies need.
Many keto nacho recipes require you to make your own tortilla chips, which makes them far more time consuming than most of us can handle. Or they use pre-made “keto” chips, many of which aren’t really very keto-friendly at all.
But mini pepper nachos are an easy, real food option that take only a few minutes to prepare. And the peppers are the perfect shape for holding those tasty toppings!
Reader Testimonials
I’ve made these and they’re a perfect counter to the non-keto nachos that my family will be eating while watching football today! We’ll all enjoy the burnt basque cheesecake for dessert as well! — Kim
I’ve made these several times and everyone in my family LOVES them. Awesome recipe! Thanks Carolyn. — Sue”
OMG! I made these as soon as I could get to the store after I saw the recipe. They were amazing!!! So good. I will never crave “real” nacho again! These were better. And I know much healthier! This morning I’m using the leftovers (not that many) to make my scrambled eggs. Can’t wait for breakfast! — Mariam
Ingredients you need
- Spices: Chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, paprika, kosher salt, pepper, oregano and red pepper flakes.
- Ground beef: You can also use ground pork, turkey or chicken.
- Mini peppers: These are the baby peppers you find in your grocery store. They are mild, sweet and come in red, orange and yellow.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: You can also use shredded Monterey Jack, Cheddar Jack or a Mexican cheese blend.
- Tomato: I top my nachos with some diced tomatoes. You can also use salsa or pico de gallo.
- Other topping additions: Sour cream, olives, chopped jalapeño, avocado, cilantro, onions.
Step-by-step directions
1. In a small bowl, whisk together the spices and seasonings until well combined.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef until just cooked through, breaking up any clumps with the back of a wooden spoon. Add spice mixture and sauté until well combined. Remove from heat.
3. Preheat oven to 400F and line a large baking try with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Arrange mini peppers in a single layer, cut-side up but very close together.
4. Sprinkle with ground beef mixture and shredded cheese (make sure every mini pepper gets a little meat and cheese!). Bake 5 to 10 minutes, until cheese is melty. Remove from oven and top with chopped tomatoes and any other desired toppings. Serve immediately.
Recipe tips
Be sure not to overcook the beef, as it can dry out. Since it gets baked in the oven as well, take it just to the point where it’s no longer pink. Also make sure to line your baking pan with parchment paper so the nachos don’t stick.
If you would like the peppers to be softer, cook them on the baking sheet first for about 10 minutes.
You can customize these keto nachos any way you like it. Mix in some chorizo with the beef, top with avocados or guacamole, or keep it plain and simple with just meat and cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
You have a number of healthy options for replacing tortilla chips. I’ve seen them made with cauliflower, zucchini slices, or pork rinds. I like to use mini peppers for a keto version. It’s a great way to get more veggies into your diet!
These nachos are made with mini sweet peppers instead of high carb chips. They are topped with a deliciously seasoned ground beef and lots of melty cheese. Add some chopped tomatoes, sour cream and avocados and you have a fabulous low carb meal or snack.
These keto nachos have only 6.5g of carbs and 3.2g of fiber per serving. That comes to 3.3g net carbs per serving.
More kid-friendly keto meals
Mini Pepper Keto Nachos
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) pepper
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) oregano
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) red pepper flakes, more if you like it hotter
- 1 lb (453.59 g) ground beef
- 1 lb (453.59 g) mini peppers, halved and seeded
- 1 1/2 cups (169.5 g) shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup (74.5 g) chopped tomato
- Other toppings as desired, sour cream, olives, chopped jalapeño, avocado, etc.
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, oregano and red pepper flakes.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef until just cooked through, about 7 to 10 minutes, breaking up any clumps with the back of a wooden spoon. Add spice mixture and sauté until well combined. Remove from heat.
- Preheat oven to 400F and line a large baking try with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Arrange mini peppers in a single layer, cut-side up but very close together.
- Sprinkle with ground beef mixture and shredded cheese (make sure every mini pepper gets a little meat and cheese!). Bake 5 to 10 minutes, until cheese is melty.
- Remove from oven and top with chopped tomatoes and any other desired toppings. Serve immediately.
Notes
Storage Information
Store the leftovers in a covered container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Re-heat in a warm oven.Nutrition
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This recipe is genius.. I love it, thank you.
Thanks!
I’ve made these several times and everyone in my family LOVES them. Awesome recipe!
Thanks Carolyn ?
For Gary… After reading your post, I am flabbergasted at your rudeness. You may not think you were rude, but, the exclamation marks and emphasized words say otherwise.
For Cheryl… It’s a great recipe! Thanks for sharing.
I never would call your reply rude just informative…thanks for it…I always wanted to know why one group was hot and the other was not…
Cheryl,were you offended…I was informed…
Would be nice to be able to get to the recipe. How does one do that? Thanks!
Please email me at alldayidreamaboutfood@gmail.com
I made these last night, they were freakin” delicious. I divided it and made half w/chips for my husband, and the other with the peppers. Not only was it tasty, it was beautiful. I posted a pic on face, and got many likes and many requests for the recipe.
Omg! i am going to try these little peppers in this dish! I just love those little peppers!
Still looking for the recipe. I like your pictures but can’t find the recipes.
The link is right at the bottom of the post!
saving and will definitely use this recipe ! Thank you.
Chilies, bell peppers, peppers…who cares, I bought some yesterday at Ralphs and they were delish, will be making this, thanks for the recipe
Yeah, I agree. Who cares…I stayed out of that silly little argument. 😉
Just a heads up that the link goes to the zucchini ricotta tart. I was able to do a search and find the recipe for the nachos, so I’m a happy camper. They look great!! We’ve loved every recipe of yours I’ve made!
Oh thanks, I know exactly why that is. Sometimes when I am publishing the same day as A Sweet Life, I don’t have a link so I just link to their main recipes page…
This is brilliant and totally happening here this week. My older son (who is starting Kindergarten next week!!) loves peppers so much – I think he will be excited about this.
How is she doing a couple of days in?
I fully expect to cry into a cocktail next week.
She’s loving it! As my third and one who’s been in preschool for a while, she transitioned easily. I feel very lucky about that! Call me if you need to cry…I’ve done this 3 times. 🙂
OMG! I made these as soon as I could get to the store after I saw the recipe. They were amazing!!! So good. I will never crave “real” nacho again! These were better. And I know much healthier! This morning I’m using the leftovers (not that many) to make my scrambled eggs. Can’t wait for breakfast!
Brilliant idea to use the leftovers in the scramble, Mariam! I made these yesterday and dear husband and I loved them. We had stopped at a farm stand on Friday and scored a bag of what they called seconds for $1! These will definitely be in rotation at our hour…dinner and breakfast.
Thanks once again, Carolyn for all your marvelous recipes…
Looks awesome to me. I’m loving these small yellow, red and orange peppers. Can’t seem to get enough of them. I bet this would be good with Pablano peppers too.
This is such a genius nacho recipe!
These look wonderful, Carolyn. Whatever they are, peppers or chilies! Really folks, is this a life or death issue? I think not, as my mother-in-law is dying, I see what is truly important in this world. And one of the things crucially important in my low carb, Type 1 life are the nutritious, tasty recipes that Carolyn makes.
Take a breather for yourself now and then, Carolyn!
Thanks for this! These peppers are on sale at Aldi lately. Going to try the recipe soon!
Bell peppers…..that is what they are……peppers
These look so good!!!!! I’m definitely making this sometime in the NEAR future!!! – Annie @ Plus Size to Downsized
What a brilliant idea!
Looks good I think I’ll have to make it this weekend. Also it a Chili not a pepper. Different plant! Pepper comes from the pepper plant. 🙂
Chili peppers and sweet peppers are both of the genus capsicum. These are simply mini sweet peppers.
They are not peppers! Peppers come from the Pepper plaint. Most people use them as Pepper corn or ground pepper on there food. Pepper is in the family Piperaceae. Sweet Chilis and Hot Chilis as you said are part of the capsicum family. So NO THEY AREN’T PEPPERS! We only call them peppers because Christopher Columbus went looking for a faster root to get Pepper. Pepper can be hot, Chilis are hot, THEY ARE PEPPER! Sorry they aren’t peppers they are Chilis!
Seriously! I don’t’ get why you are being rude to the person who provided you with a nice recipe. Your information does not enhance my life in any way, it is simply annoying, while her information does enhance my life.
“Your information does not enhance my life in any way” … Love this response 🙂
You go, Carolyn! I don’t care what those little things are called…they are good! Looks like a great recipe that is well worth trying…and I will when I get the ingredients. Perfect for our beach vacation next month.
Thanks for another great recipe!
All knowledge is worth having.” – Jacqueline Carey
I find all education worth having even if I don’t care for how I am learning it. I will also say I never attacked her, I stated information. Why is that rude? I find if someone lets me say something that is wrong to be rude. I would rather be educated then ignorant.
I am flabbergasted by this comment thread. This is like my dad saying that moisturize is a word made up in the mid 20th century and that moisten is the proper term. Maybe it is, but who really cares? Yes, there are certainly correct or better ways to communicate certain things, but once a reasonable term has entered into widespread use and is used by many clearly well-educated people, there is no point in correcting those who use it. Language evolves. That is also a fact. Now, your “knowledge worth having” might have been appropriate to share if you had said something like, “Hey, I’ve learned this interesting fact about the history of peppers and chilis that I’ve noticed not many people know and thought you might be interested in it.” Furthermore, when you correct someone, you ought to make sure your grammar and spelling are sparkly clean and correct, or you run the risk of looking far less intelligent THAN you think you are.
This! Personally I am extremely grateful for this delicious meal idea! And for those who are bothered – mini peppers are part of the capsicum family and in the UK are definitely called peppers!
I agree with you. They call them Mini Peppers at the store. I don’t really care what genus they come from….. Gary needs to stop being a plant snob and just let it go. 🙂
Gary, interesting information but best to improve yourself by learning to spell. Their food, not “there food “and route not “root” and finally plant does not have an I in it.
Amen!
YESSSS!
Yay Jennifer! Put the mean person in his place! Carolyn, fabulous recipe.. why did we ever use chips to begin with? The peppers are so much more fun!
They are labeled peppers at the grocery store. I also want to second Sophia’s post. You could have given this information in a different way.
I wonder how many times he has this argument with waiters in restaurants? ?? “so this red pepper soup! Is it red peppercorns or is it red chillies as you obviously don’t know what a pepper is” I bet his food gets spit in a lot ?
Great idea by the way, I miss nachos so much!
Y’all need a life. Something to do with all that passion. I buy these at my store and they are labeled as “mini bell peppers.” What does it matter? If you can identify it and you like it, go get you some.
Mini pepper is how they are packaged and slid. Do in an effort for people to find these cuties they are not in the chili section. Sweet. Not hot. Looking to share the love of cooking 🙂
A chili is a pepper.
They look like mini bell peppers (called capsicum in some countries) or ‘peppers’ for short. Don’t think they are chillies. I’m using mini sweet capsicum for this recipe.