How to Roast Bell Peppers

Have you ever wondered How to Roast Bell Peppers? All you need is a source of heat to make this delicious addition to your tray of Italian Appetizers!

Can you smell it?

There is no denying that sweet aroma when roasting bell peppers. 

Whether you are using an outdoor grill, the oven, a stovetop burner or even an air fryer -roasting peppers not only adds a smoky flavor but also intensifies the sweetness of the final product.

If you have visited here before, you know that I love to grill or roast both fruits and vegetables.

The flavors are simply incredible!

I’ve shared recipes for Grilled Radicchio, Grilled Vegetables, Grilled Fennel, Grilled Watermelon Steak, Roasted Fennel, Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables …

I could go on, but I think you can appreciate that I love this method of preparing fruits and vegetables. Feel free to refer to my Side Dish Category for more recipes.

Today, the focus is on different methods to roast bell peppers.

What do I need to make roasted bell peppers?

The only ingredient you need to make this “recipe” is peppers.

When purchasing red peppers, choose peppers that are firm, unblemished and glossy looking. The stem end should be green and look fresh.

Store in a plastic bag, in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Feel free to use a variety -red, orange, or yellow. Roasting green bell peppers is not recommended as they end up being bitter tasting.

As far as the quantity is concerned, you can grill (or roast) as many or as little as you want. 

Mise en place

No matter which of the 4 methods you prefer, begin by rinsing and drying your peppers.

1-Oven roasted

Place on their sides on a rimmed baking sheet lined with a Silpat or parchment paper.

Roast in the upper third of the oven heated to 400°F (200°C) until the skin is completely charred and the flesh is soft.

Turn the peppers over every 10 minutes or so. This allows the sides to get black and blistered. Notice how the peppers will also collapse in on themselves. This process can take up to one hour, depending on the size of your peppers.

2-On the grill

Place the peppers on their sides, on the bbq grill. Use tongs to rotate the peppers to ensure even charring. 

3-Stovetop

Place them directly on low flames on gas stove burners (grates). With kitchen tongs, rotate the peppers until all the sides are charred.

4-Air Fryer

Place them on an air fryer basket and proceed according to manufacturer recommendations.

I highly recommend placing a grill pan at the bottom of the oven to capture the juices that may escape the peppers as they are grilling. 

Total roasting time for the air fryer is about 20 minutes. 

How to steam roasted peppers

Carefully transfer the hot peppers to a heatproof bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Another alternative is to place the roasted peppers in a plastic or paper bag and then close it tightly.

Allow to cool for about 30 minutes or until you can easily handle them. The residual heat generated from the roasted peppers will steam them. This, in turn, makes it very easy to peel off the skin.

How to peel

When cool enough to handle, the charred skin can easily be peeled away. Cut in half and remove the stem and the seeds.

Please note that there is no “right way” to clean peppers. Although it can get a little messy, promise me you will not rinse them under running water to speed up the process. We want to keep all those wonderful flavors.

Cut in long strips. Place in the bowl along with any juices which have escaped.

If you do not plan to use your grilled vegetable right away, the sections can be frozen.

Tips

• Begin the roasting process with room temperature peppers. 
• Yellow and orange variety roast faster than the red ones, so keep an eye on them.
• NEVER rinse them under running water.

How long can I refrigerate them?

• They can last up to 3 weeks if completely submerging them in olive oil.
• Refrigerate for up to 1 week by placing them in an airtight container with just a drizzle of olive oil.
• If there is no addition of olive oil, consume within 2 days.

Can I freeze them?

Yes. Freezing is the easiest way to preserve for long term storage. Once peeled and seeded, simply lay them flat in a freezable container. Separate the layers with wax or parchment paper. Good for up to 6 months.

Roasted Red Peppers can be used:

• in scrambled eggs, frittatas or even a quiche;
• to top off pizzas or bruschetta;
• in soups, pasta and salads;
• snuggled in a sandwich (for example in a piadina);
• as a side dish for roasted meats;
• in appetizers;
• as the main ingredient in a dip, hummus or pesto;
• marinated and used as part of your antipasto platter.

Roasted Red Pepper Recipes we love:

• Fregola Salad
• Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Recipe
• Bell Pepper Stew
• Roasted Bell Pepper Goat Cheese Bites 
• Marinated Roasted Bell Peppers

 

Recipe origins

During my youth, grilling peppers was an end of summer family activity.

My dad would always buy bushels in the market. I don’t remember him ever purchasing the yellow or orange variety.

Grilling them was always a lot of fun.

The sweet aroma that permeated the air was undeniable that of roasting peppers. I can still smell it…

My mom would set up “working stations” so that once they were grilled, they were steamed, cleaned and packed into bags.

No i-phones to capture these moments, but those afternoons are still, to this day, very vivid in my mind.

These bags would disappear in the freezer, next to the frozen packets of Swiss Chard and Rapini.

These roasted sweet peppers would reappear on my mom’s slab pizza, in pasta or sandwiched in a classic Italian panini. My mom was always prepared for family parties and use them as an ingredient for her to make ahead Italian appetizers.

Naturally, they were part of the Italian antipasto on all holidays.

The simple process of roasting intensifies the sweetness making it an ideal base for so many other dishes

Such an easy recipe with so much flavor!

I hope you get a chance to try it! 

THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.

Ciao for now,

Maria

★★★★★ If you have made this Roasted Bell Pepper Recipe, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!