No, it’s not from the same family as pepperoni, albeit they’re similarly spelled: Pepperoncini is Italian hot chili pepper—but don’t worry, it’s not too hot to handle (just medium to medium-hot) and actually has a slightly sweet flavor. So yes, it adds just the right kick to any dish—and guess what? We recently discovered two pepperoncini-infused appetizers that can perfectly jumpstart any meal:

Pepperoncini Dynamite. It’s pepperoncini wrapped in bacon—how can you go wrong with bacon, right? The hotness of the chili is perfectly balanced out by the well-loved meat and some sprinkling of cheese on top and the cheese sauce seal the deal. Though spicy delights are more often favored by guys, the right mesh of flavors of this dish available at Papa John’s, will surely tickle women’s tastebuds. It’s also perfect for those vent and rant sessions because the spicy flavor helps you let it all out.

Ultimate Potato Wedges. Papa John’s original potato wedges offering just got a makeover: Now amped up with pepperoncini, bacon and a hefty drizzling of zesty garlic ranch and cheese sauces, you’ll be popping these into your mouth the way you do nachos. Bonus: It’s more filling, too, than chips.

Photographs courtesy of Papa John’s