This study was conducted to explore the potential for use of atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge plasma (atmospheric pressure DBD plasma) as a non-thermal sterilization technology for microorganisms in dried red pepper. The effects of key parameters such as power, exposure time and distance on the sterilization efficiency and the quality of red dried pepper by the atmospheric pressure DBD plasma treatment were investigated. The results revealed that the plasma treatment was very effective for sterilization of Staphylococcus aureus, with 15 min of treatment at 1.0 kW and 20 mm sterilizing 82.6% of the S. aureus. Increasing the power or exposure time and decreasing the exposure distance led to improved sterilization efficiency. The atmospheric pressure DBD plasma treatment showed no effect on the ASTA (American spice trade association) value or hardness of dried red pepper. Furthermore, no effects of atmospheric pressure DBD plasma treatment were observed on the sensory properties of dried red pepper. To assess the storage stability, the dried red pepper was treated with atmospheric pressure DBD plasma (1.5 kW power, 15 min exposure time and 10 mm exposure distance), then stored for 12 weeks at 25°C. Consequently, the ASTA value, hardness and capsaicin concentration of dried red pepper were maintained.