How to Roast Red Peppers at Home

Learn how to roast red peppers at home with a simple oven method that is quick to prepare, easy to follow, and full of rich, smoky flavor.

Six roasted red pepper halves on a foil-lined cookie sheet

Roasting red peppers is one of those basic kitchen skills that is worth learning because it instantly makes a simple ingredient taste deeper, sweeter, and more savory. When red peppers are roasted in the oven, their natural flavor becomes more concentrated. The edges soften, the skin blisters, and the peppers take on a gentle smokiness with a light tang that makes them taste far more interesting than raw peppers.

This easy method for homemade roasted red peppers requires only red peppers, olive oil, a baking sheet, and a piece of foil. There is no complicated technique, no special equipment, and very little hands-on work. In less than five minutes, the peppers can be sliced, cleaned, arranged on the pan, and placed in the oven. After that, the heat does the rest.

Roasted red peppers are incredibly versatile. They make a flavorful topping for pizza, a colorful addition to salads, and a delicious ingredient in pasta dishes. They can also be served alongside simple meals whenever you want to add a soft, sweet, and slightly smoky vegetable to the plate. Once you know how to roast red peppers from scratch, it becomes easy to keep this method in your regular cooking routine.

Homemade roasted red peppers also taste fresher than many jarred versions. Because you control the ingredients, you get the clean flavor of roasted peppers and olive oil without anything extra. They are also budget-friendly, especially when red peppers are in season or on sale. The process is simple, but the result feels special enough to use in both everyday meals and recipes that need a little extra flavor.

Six raw red pepper halves cut side down on a cookie sheet with olive oil

To prepare the peppers, remove the stems, slice each pepper in half, and take out the seeds from the inside. Place the pepper halves cut side down on a foil-lined baking sheet. Drizzle them with olive oil, then bake until the peppers are soft and the skins are ready to loosen. The foil makes cleanup easier and helps keep the process neat from start to finish.

Once the peppers come out of the oven, loosely tent them with another piece of foil and let them cool for about 10 minutes. This short resting time helps the skins release more easily. When the peppers are cool enough to handle, scrape or peel away the outside skin. The roasted peppers are then ready to slice, chop, or use however you like.

Roasted red peppers cut side down on a cookie sheet

Roasted red peppers shown on a foil-lined cookie sheet

How to Roast Red Peppers

This easy oven method for roasted red peppers brings out their natural sweetness, adds gentle smokiness, and creates tender peppers that can be used in pasta, salads, pizza, and many simple meals.
Course Essential Skills
Cuisine American, Italian
Keyword How to Roast Red Peppers
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 59kcal
Author Jennifer Grissom

Ingredients

  • 3 red peppers
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  • Slice each red pepper in half, then remove the stem and all interior seeds.
  • Place the pepper halves cut side down on a foil-lined baking sheet. Drizzle the peppers evenly with olive oil.
  • Bake for 50 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the skins have blistered.
  • Remove the baking sheet from the oven and loosely tent the peppers with foil. Let them cool for about 10 minutes.
  • Peel or scrape away the outer skin, then use the roasted red peppers as desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 59kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Fat: 4g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 125mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1865IU | Vitamin C: 76mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.3mg