Pepper Jelly is a favorite of many, but a lot of people struggle with finding ways to use this unconventional ingredient in their meals. It’s an understandable issue to face, especially since many people have never eaten pepper jelly before and might need some convincing in order to try it.
If you’re the chef, finding ways to integrate pepper jelly into your meal plans can prove intimidating. Not to worry, however, as there are plenty of savory dishes for which pepper jelly is an integral ingredient, ranging from finger foods to full course servings.
A quick snack for any occasion, hot pepper jelly chips are easy to prepare and serve as a great point from which to share your love of pepper jelly with others. They require minimal ingredients (potato chips, solid cheese, and of course the spicy pepper jelly) and minimal preparation, only taking about 10-15 minutes to complete.
Spread about 1/2 tablespoon of goat cheese onto each potato chip, careful not to break the chips. Add about 1 teaspoon of red pepper jelly to each chip and top with crumbled bacon and a jalapeno slice if you want to add more flavor.
If you’re looking for more of a meal, spicy wings can be made even better with the addition of spicy pepper jelly. This dish’s spicy, sticky, peanut-based sauce delivers a distinct chicken wing-eating experience when mixed with only the best jalapeno and cayenne pepper jelly.
This one will take over an hour to prepare, but if you’re preparing a meal for multiple guests, that shouldn’t be an obstacle. Many recipes call for an overabundance of peanut butter to offset the texture of the spices but make if you’re looking for something hotter, feel free to include less.
On the other side of things, something sweeter might be more your speed. If you’re looking to use cranberry or mango pepper jelly, this is the dish for you.
While some recipes call for red or jalapeno pepper jelly, more mild options provide a similarly worthwhile experience. Like other baked goods, this is one that is good to experiment with to find the right flavors for you and your guests.
Cheesy Thumbprint Appetizers with Hot Pepper Jelly
Our last entry has somewhat of a mouthful of a name. These cookies are made with cheese instead of sugar and topped with sweet and warm pepper jelly. They are a rather simple concoction but no less rewarding.
The cheese substitute makes them a healthier option than similar baked goods, and that’s before considering the benefits of the pepper jelly topping.
