Crab-Stuffed Piquillo Peppers Recipe — Salt & Wind Travel (2024)

  • BY Aida Mollenkamp
  • PublishedSeptember 18, 2015
  • Updated January 13, 2024

Jump to Recipe

Between the people, food, and culture,San Sebastian is by far one of our favorite places we’ve ever set foot. Very much Basque but still distinctly Spanish, one of the must dos in this seaside town is a tapas crawl to eat treats like these crab bites with piquillo peppers.

Crab-Stuffed Piquillo Peppers Recipe — Salt & Wind Travel (1)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll see foods familiar to tapas in Madrid and Barcelona and other flavors that are 100% Basque. This Crab-Stuffed Piquillo Peppers recipe is a variation on the tapas bar classic and we now make it on the regular. It’s quick to make as you simply mix crab with delicious flavors and stuff the peppers. If you can find Dungeness crab, it’s well worth it, FYI.

Recipe Ingredients

The ingredients you’ll need for these stuffed piquillo peppers are:

  • Vegetable oil
  • Smoked paprika
  • Mayonnaise
  • Lemon
  • Sherry vinegar
  • Kosher salt
  • Creme fraiche or sour cream
  • Dijon mustard
  • Manchego cheese
  • Fresh chives
  • Fresh parsley
  • Egg
  • Crab
  • Piquillo peppers

How To Make This Recipe

  1. Make The Aïoli:Combine the oil, paprika, mayonnaise, vinegar, lemon juice and salt to make the aioli.
  2. Fill The Peppers:Mix the creme fraiche with the mustard, lemon juice, Manchego cheese, chives, parsely, and egg and stuff the peppers.
  3. Bake The Peppers: Bake thet peppers until warmed through.
  4. Serve:Serve topped with the aioli.

Crab-Stuffed Piquillo Peppers Recipe — Salt & Wind Travel (2)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Piquillo Peppers?

Piquillo peppers are a type of chili, traditionally grown in the Navarra region of northern Spain. They are small, red, sweet peppers known for their unique, slightly spicy flavor. Piquillo means 'little beak' in Spanish, which refers to their distinctive shape.

What are Some Popular Recipes Using Piquillo Peppers?

Popular recipes using piquillo peppers include Goat Cheese Stuffed Piquillo Peppers, Piquillo Pepper Sauce, and Piquillo Peppers Stuffed with Tuna or Seafood. These peppers are versatile and can be used in tapas, appetizers, and main dishes.

Can Piquillo Peppers be Substituted in Recipes?

If piquillo peppers are not available, they can be substituted with roasted red bell peppers in most recipes. However, the flavor profile will be slightly different, as bell peppers are sweeter and less fully flavored than piquillo peppers.

What To Serve With This

Here are some of our favorite Spanish bites to serve with this piquillo pepper recipe:

  • Vermouth and Soda co*cktail
  • Tortilla Espanola With Potato Chips
  • White Anchovy Toast With Pickled Fennel

Now, go stock up on all your cooking essentials, then head into the kitchen, make this, and share it with us by tagging @saltandwind and #swsociety on social!

Crab-Stuffed Piquillo Peppers Recipe — Salt & Wind Travel (3)

Crab-Stuffed Piquillo Peppers Recipe

Between the people, food, and culture, San Sebastian is by far one of our favorite places we've ever set foot. Very much Basque but still distinctly Spanish, one of the must dos in this seaside town is a tapas crawl.

You'll see foods familiar to tapas in Madrid and Barcelona and other flavors that are 100% Basque. This Crab-Stuffed Piquillo Peppers recipe is a variation on the tapas bars and we now make it on the regular.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Resting Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 2 hours hrs

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Spanish

Diet Gluten Free

Servings 6 Servings

Calories 365 kcal

Ingredients

For The Aioli:

  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 3/4 cup good-quality mayonnaise
  • Juice of 1 lemon divided
  • 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
  • Kosher salt

For The Stuffed Peppers:

  • 3 tablespoons crème fraîche
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon Mustard
  • 3 tablespoons grated Manchego cheese
  • 3 tablespoons finely sliced fresh chives
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves (optional)
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 8 ounces cooked crab meat picked through
  • 1 (16 ounce) jar piquillo peppers

Instructions

  • Make The Aioli: Heat the paprika and vegetable oil in a small saucepan over low heat. When hot, remove the pan from the heat and allow the oil to steep at room temperature, 20 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and refrigerate at least 1 hour.

  • Combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, and all but 1 teaspoon of the lemon juice in a food processor or blender; process until smooth and frothy. With the machine running, slowly pour in the paprika-infused oil and process until the desired consistency is reached. Season with salt.

  • Fill The Peppers: Combine the crème fraîche, mustard, reserved 1 teaspoon lemon juice, manchego, parsley, chives and egg in a large bowl; mix thoroughly with a rubber spatula to combine. Gently mix in the crabmeat (do not break it up too much). Season with salt and pepper.

  • Bake The Peppers: Drain the piquillo peppers thoroughly. Remove the seeds, making sure to keep the peppers whole and intact. Carefully spoon about 1 tablespoon crab filling into each pepper. Transfer to an ovenproof baking dish and heatoven to 375°F. Bake the peppers, uncovered, until heated through, about 15 minutes. Top the peppers with the aioli and return to theoven until the aioli is hot, about 2 more minutes and then serve hot.

PERSONAL NOTES

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Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 365kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 11gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 18gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 91mgSodium: 454mgPotassium: 186mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1248IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 140mgIron: 1mg

Keyword easy appetizer

Tried this recipe?Mention @saltandwind or tag #swsociety!

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  • Recipes, Spain

About The Author

Aida Mollenkamp

Aida Mollenkamp is a food and travel expert, author, chef, Food Network personality, and founder of the boutique travel company, In all that she does, Aida aims to help discerning travelers taste the world.

Posts By This Author →

Aida Mollenkamp

Aida Mollenkamp is a food and travel expert, author, chef, Food Network personality, and founder of the boutique travel company, In all that she does, Aida aims to help discerning travelers taste the world.

View Posts By This Author →

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Crab-Stuffed Piquillo Peppers Recipe — Salt & Wind Travel (2024)

FAQs

Crab-Stuffed Piquillo Peppers Recipe — Salt & Wind Travel? ›

These cute peppers are almost exclusively found roasted, skinned and jarred rather than fresh. Although piquillo pepeprs are easy to eat straight from the jar or with a little drizzle of oil, they are also used in a huge range of Spanish dishes.

Can you eat piquillo peppers raw? ›

These cute peppers are almost exclusively found roasted, skinned and jarred rather than fresh. Although piquillo pepeprs are easy to eat straight from the jar or with a little drizzle of oil, they are also used in a huge range of Spanish dishes.

What are piquillo peppers used for? ›

You can add pieces of piquillo peppers to your salads or make an original salad with them: Cut the peppers into strips, arrange them on a plate and top with cheese (mozzarella, burrata or feta for example). Serve with a garlicky vinaigrette. Codfish stuffing.

What is the difference between roasted red peppers and piquillo peppers? ›

Piquillos have thinner flesh, with a complex, slightly bitter flavor underlying their sweetness; roasted red peppers tasted fruitier in comparison. We didn't find the piquillos spicy at all, as some sources claim. They are also smaller, making them perfect for a stuffed tapas-style appetizer.

Are piquillo peppers healthy? ›

GETTING HEALTHY BITE BY BITE

Piquillo peppers are low fat and low calorie (each one about 12 cals). Certainly a bonus to know I can eat as many as I wish without a care in the world. High in vitamin C (similar amount to an orange) and high in beta carotene (similar amount to a carrot).

How long do piquillo peppers last? ›

How long does an open jar of roasted piquillo peppers last? Once opened, we recommend using Roasted Piquillo Peppers within 2-3 weeks for best flavor and freshness. Be sure the peppers are fully submerged in liquid to prevent them from degrading.

What are piquillo peppers in a jar? ›

Jar) DeLallo Roasted Piquillo Peppers are sweet, smoky red peppers that are perfect for stuffed pepper creations, charcuterie boards and everyday recipes. Originating in Spain, the Piquillo is a unique pepper that is thinner, sweeter and more delicate in...

Are piquillo peppers hot? ›

The piquillo pepper is a variety of chili, Capsicum annuum, having a sweet taste with little to no heat, fruits about 7 cm long, well suited for growing in pots, that is traditionally grown in Northern Spain near the town of Lodosa.

Which pepper can you eat raw? ›

Bell peppers make a tasty addition to a raw veggie tray and are delicious with many kinds of dip.

Can peppers be eaten uncooked? ›

The fruit of the bell pepper (capsicum annuum) and a member of the nightshade family along with aubergine, tomatoes and potatoes, bell peppers are also referred to as sweet peppers. A non-hot relative to the chilli pepper, bell peppers can be eaten raw or cooked and make a nutritious addition to a meal.

Can you eat raw peppers as a snack? ›

Raw bell peppers are a versatile food that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. They can be sliced and added to salads, sandwiches, wraps, and tacos. They can also be roasted, grilled, or sautéed. If you are looking for a healthy and nutritious snack, raw bell pepper slices are a great option.

Can you eat jarred roasted red peppers? ›

It is super easy to cut the peppers into strips or chop them to add to salads, pizzas, sandwiches, wraps, pasta and egg dishes. Their tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture and bold flavor makes them the perfect ingredient to blend in sauces, soups, dressings, hummus dips and marinades.

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