To evaluate the effect of self-made biochar-based fertilizer on the yields, quality, fertilizer utilization efficiency, and economic performance of hot pepper in Guizhou, a field experiment was carried out with five contrasting application rates (i.e., including 1 758 kg·hm-2 (BCF1), 2 167.5 kg·hm-2 (BCF2), 2 550 kg·hm-2 (BCF3), 2 932.5 kg·hm-2 (BCF4), and 3 315 kg·hm-2 (BCF5)). The results showed that, compared with FP treatment, the application of biochar-based fertilizers significantly increased the yield, in which fresh pepper increased yield by 12.0% to 32.8%, and dried pepper increased yield by 12.6% to 31.6%, respectively. BCF2 treatment was the best among five treatments, and the yield was significantly higher than others. Biochar-based fertilizer also considerably affected the nitrate and Vc content of hot pepper. The nitrate content decreased by 3.9%~14.4% and the Vc content increased by 1.0%~19.3%, but had no effect on reducing sugar and free amino acid content. Compared with FP treatment, biochar-based fertilizer treatments increased the agronomic efficiency of the N and P fertilizer by 4.97~13.93 and 8.49~26.41 kg·kg-1, the agronomic efficiency of K fertiliaer of BCF1, BCF2 and BCF3 increased by 3.12~8.32 kg·kg-1, among which the BCF1 treatment was the highest. The N, P and K fertilizer apparent utilization rate was increased by 24.11~43.90%, 2.63~7.76% and 7.50~44.60%, respectively. The REN and REK of BCF2 treatment were highest, which were 55.0% and 74.1%, respectively, and the REP of BCF1 and BCF2 treatment was both the highest 10.3%. The application of biochar-based fertilizer improved pure income by 22.1%~74.8% compared with FP treatment, with highest being situated in BCF2 treatment. Compared with FP treatment, the net income of hot pepper after application of biochar-based fertilizer increased by 19.4% to 74.8%, and BCF2 was the best. In conclusion, 2 167.5 kg·hm-2 was the optimal applied rate of biochar-based fertilizer, of which the treatment obtained the best biological effects and economic benefits and could be recommended in the production of hot pepper in Guizhou. The results of this study provided a theoretical basis for the application of biochar-based fertilizer in the high-yielding cultivation of hot pepper in yellow soil of Guizhou province.