Low Carb Nachos Recipe: Crispy Keto Nachos

The ultimate low carb nachos are made by filling sweet mini peppers with your favorite nacho toppings—cheese, seasoned turkey, beans and fresh veggies—for a healthy, gluten-free and low-calorie snack or appetizer. Perfect for parties, game day and Super Bowl Sunday.

Ditch the chips and swap in sweet mini bell peppers for a lower-carb, nutrient-rich base. Mini peppers are thicker and sturdier than a tortilla chip, so they hold up well under a pile of toppings without breaking. Their natural sweetness and satisfying crunch add bright flavor to every bite, while keeping this version of nachos light, gluten free and easy to prepare.

These mini pepper nachos are versatile: serve them as an appetizer at a gathering, plate them for game day, or enjoy a generous portion for a weeknight dinner. They come together quickly and can be customized to suit keto, low-carb or family-friendly preferences. For a keto-friendly option, simply omit the black beans to reduce the carbs further.

Step by step instructions

1. Cook the seasoned turkey topping. Heat a large skillet over medium-high and add 1 lb lean ground turkey. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 6–7 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons taco seasoning, a drained 15 oz can of corn, a drained 15 oz can of black beans (optional for lower carbs), and a 10 oz can of diced tomatoes with green chilies (do not drain). Cook another 4–5 minutes to blend flavors, then remove from heat and set aside.
2. Assemble the nachos. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Arrange halved, de-stemmed mini peppers (about 2 lbs) cut-side up on a large baking sheet. Spoon the turkey mixture over the peppers, then sprinkle with 3 cups Mexican blend cheese and top with nacho-sliced jalapeños to taste.
3. Bake until the cheese melts. Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
4. Finish and serve. Remove from the oven and add fresh optional toppings such as diced avocado or guacamole, pico-style tomatoes, sour cream, cilantro, and a few drops of hot sauce if desired. Serve warm.

Topping ideas

Keep the toppings focused on fresh, low-carb ingredients to preserve the healthy profile. Mix and match any of the following:

• Diced avocado or a scoop of guacamole
• Fresh cilantro
• Hot sauce or a drizzle of your favorite salsa
• Sliced jalapeños for extra heat
• Diced tomatoes or pico de gallo-style topping
• Sour cream or a dollop of Greek yogurt for tang
• Creamy avocado salsa or a citrusy cilantro-lime crema

How many carbs are in mini pepper nachos?

This recipe yields about 25 grams of total carbohydrates per serving and 18 grams net carbs per serving as written. If you are following a strict ketogenic or ultra low-carb plan, omit the black beans to reduce total carbs to approximately 16 grams per serving.

How many calories are in nachos?

Each serving of these mini pepper nachos contains roughly 344–346 calories, depending on exact ingredient brands and any optional toppings you choose. The recipe is portioned to serve 8 people per sheet pan.

More low carb recipes to try

If you enjoy these mini pepper nachos, try them alongside other low-calorie, low-carb game-day options such as zucchini boats stuffed with buffalo chicken, grilled jalapeño poppers, or a low-calorie charcuterie board. These lighter, flavorful dishes pair well for a party spread without the heavy carbs.

Mini Pepper Nachos — Recipe

A flavorful, low carb twist on classic nachos: sweet mini peppers are filled with taco-seasoned turkey, beans and corn, topped with melted cheese and fresh garnishes. Ideal for parties, Super Bowl Sunday or a light weeknight meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground turkey
• 2 tbsp taco seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
• 15 oz can corn, drained and rinsed
• 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed (omit for fewer carbs)
• 10 oz can diced tomatoes with green chilies (do not drain)
• 2 lbs mini peppers, de-stemmed and halved
• 3 cups Mexican blend cheese
• 1/4 cup nacho-sliced jalapeños

Optional Toppings

• Diced tomatoes or pico-style salsa
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Guacamole or sliced avocado
• Fresh cilantro
• Hot sauce or your favorite salsa

Instructions

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground turkey for 6–7 minutes, breaking it into crumbles until no pink remains.
2. Add the taco seasoning, drained corn, drained black beans (if using), and the undrained diced tomatoes with green chilies. Cook another 4–5 minutes to combine flavors. Remove from heat.
3. Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange the halved mini peppers cut-side up on a large baking sheet.
4. Spoon the turkey mixture evenly onto each pepper half. Sprinkle with Mexican blend cheese and add jalapeño slices.
5. Bake for about 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Remove from the oven and top with desired optional toppings. Serve warm.

Notes

• Nutritional information below does not include optional toppings.
• Omitting black beans reduces the carb count, making the recipe more suitable for strict ketogenic diets.
• These nachos can be prepared ahead: cook the turkey mixture in advance, then assemble and bake just before serving.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

• Calories: 344 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 71 mg
• Sodium: 671 mg
• Fiber: 7 g
• Sugar: 6 g
• Vitamin C: 151 mg (about 183% DV)