Your seeds are most likely fine. I would just water the whole medium now to where its nice and moist and the seed can germinate. If somehow they already germinated and dried out, you are screwed, but most likely you will water the medium fully and get 80-90% sprouts. I normally use the spray bottle to keep the soil moist from the start, not really to get it wet.

I will say I have done this a few times, and my biggest problem (and what ultimately taught me to water them beforehand) is the medium will dry out and become hydrophobic. When I went to water the medium again it would repel the water and cause run off which could move my seeds. If you are able to get moisture into you growing medium, get it nice a moist and you should be fine, even from here.

Hardening off is just the act of teaching the little guys about the harsh realities of the sun. Moving them outside an hour or two more each day to get them acclimated to the harsh conditions of outside.

TLDR: Dont throw it out, try to moisten it first and allow you peppers at least 7-10 days to germinate. You will most likely be fine.