Peppers, sweet, red, freeze-dried
Whole food · Vegetables and Vegetable Products
Photo: Wikipedia
Freeze-dried sweet red peppers are intensely flavored, crunchy morsels that capture the peak sweetness and vibrant color of fresh peppers in a shelf-stable form. The process removes water, concentrating their natural sugars and nutrients, resulting in a light, airy texture that shatters pleasantly. Nutritionally, they are a standout source of fiber and a surprisingly potent plant-based protein for a vegetable product.
Calorie split: 19% protein · 74% carbs · 7% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love them for their explosive, concentrated sweet pepper flavor and the satisfying crunch that adds instant texture to any dish. They are a beloved, versatile pantry staple for quick snacking, elevating salads, or adding a burst of color and taste to meals.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The concentrated natural sugars (40.77g per 100g) can cause a rapid blood-sugar spike if eaten in large quantities alone. To counteract this, pair them with a source of protein or healthy fat (like nuts, cheese, or hummus) and practice portion control. Their intense flavor can also be overwhelming if overused.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of dietary fiber (21.3g per 100g)
- High in plant-based protein (17.9g per 100g)
- Concentrated source of antioxidants like vitamin C and carotenoids
- Shelf-stable with no added preservatives
- Provides a satisfying, crunchy texture without frying
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The freeze-drying process, originally developed for preserving space food, can retain up to 97% of a pepper's original nutrients and flavor compounds, far more than traditional dehydration.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 2.0 g |
| Energy | 314 kcal |
| Energy | 1314 kj |
| Protein | 17.9 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 3.0 g |
| Ash | 8.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 68.7 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 21.3 g |
| Total Sugars | 40.8 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 134 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 10.4 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 188 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 327 mg |
| Potassium, K | 3170 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 193 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.4 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 1.4 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 1.9 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 3.7 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1900 mg |
| Thiamin | 1.2 mg |
| Riboflavin | 1.2 mg |
| Niacin | 7.4 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.49 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 2.2 mg |
| Folate, total | 229 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 229 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 229 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 3863 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 42891 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 6931 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 77261 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 5799 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 4.0 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 114 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.45 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.33 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.10 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.20 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.18 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.6 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.5 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.14 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.23 g |
| Threonine | 0.66 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.58 g |
| Leucine | 0.94 g |
| Lysine | 0.80 g |
| Methionine | 0.21 g |
| Cystine | 0.34 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.55 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.37 g |
| Valine | 0.76 g |
| Arginine | 0.86 g |
| Histidine | 0.36 g |
| Alanine | 0.73 g |
| Aspartic acid | 2.6 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.4 g |
| Glycine | 0.66 g |
| Proline | 0.78 g |
| Serine | 0.72 g |
FAQ
How should I store freeze-dried peppers?
Store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. They will maintain their crunch and flavor for 6-12 months. Once opened, consume within a few months for best texture.
Can I rehydrate them?
Yes, you can rehydrate them by soaking in warm water for 5-10 minutes. They will regain a softer, more fresh-pepper-like texture, perfect for cooked dishes like stews or sauces.
Are they spicy?
No, they are made from sweet red bell peppers and have a rich, sweet, and slightly tangy flavor with no heat.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.14 kcal/g · 23% calories from protein · 21.3 g fiber · 40.8 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.06 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.