Jalapeño Poppers

Jalapeño Poppers

Description

Jalapeño Poppers are a crowd-pleasing appetizer made by stuffing fresh jalapeños with a cheesy, flavorful filling and baking or frying until golden and bubbly. They’re the perfect mix of spicy, creamy, and crunchy, and can be made ahead for easy entertaining.

Ingredients (Makes 24 poppers / Serves about 8)

• 12 fresh jalapeño peppers, halved lengthwise, seeds & membranes removed

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 4 green onions, finely chopped

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional, for crispy topping)

• 2 tablespoons butter, melted (if using breadcrumbs)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven:
   Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Prepare Jalapeños:
   Slice jalapeños in half lengthwise. Remove seeds and membranes for less heat (leave some for extra spice).

3. Make Filling:
   In a bowl, mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese, green onions, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and bacon (if using) until well combined.

4. Stuff Poppers:
   Fill each jalapeño half generously with the cheese mixture.

5. Optional Crunchy Topping:
   Mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle over filled jalapeños for a crispy top.

6. Bake:
   Arrange on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and jalapeños are tender.

7. Serve:
   Cool slightly before serving. Best enjoyed warm.

Equipment

• Baking sheet

• Parchment paper

• Mixing bowl

• Spoon or small spatula

• Knife and cutting board

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Serving Size: 3 poppers per person (8 servings)

Jalapeño Poppers

Jalapeño Poppers are a crowd-pleasing appetizer made by stuffing fresh jalapeños with a cheesy, flavorful filling and baking or frying until golden and bubbly. They’re the perfect mix of spicy, creamy, and crunchy, and can be made ahead for easy entertaining.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:15 minutes mins

Cook Time:20 minutes mins

Total Time:35 minutes mins

Equipment

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowl
• Spoon or small spatula
• Knife and cutting board

Ingredients

• 12 fresh jalapeño peppers halved lengthwise, seeds & membranes removed
• 8 oz cream cheese softened
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 green onions finely chopped
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika optional
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled (optional)
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs optional, for crispy topping
• 2 tablespoons butter melted (if using breadcrumbs)

Instructions

• Preheat Oven:
• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Prepare Jalapeños:
• Slice jalapeños in half lengthwise. Remove seeds and membranes for less heat (leave some for extra spice).
• Make Filling:
• In a bowl, mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese, green onions, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and bacon (if using) until well combined.
• Stuff Poppers:
• Fill each jalapeño half generously with the cheese mixture.
• Optional Crunchy Topping:
• Mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle over filled jalapeños for a crispy top.
• Bake:
• Arrange on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and jalapeños are tender.
• Serve:
• Cool slightly before serving. Best enjoyed warm.

Servings: 8 servings

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How spicy are jalapeño poppers?
   The heat depends on the peppers and whether you remove the seeds and membranes. Removing them makes them milder.

2. Can I make jalapeño poppers ahead of time?
   Yes—you can prep and stuff them up to 24 hours ahead, then bake when ready to serve.

3. Can I freeze jalapeño poppers before baking?
   Yes—assemble, freeze on a baking sheet until solid, then store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding 5–7 minutes to cook time.

4. What cheese works best?
   Cream cheese is essential for creaminess, and cheddar adds sharp flavor. Pepper jack or mozzarella can also be used.

5. Can I make them without bacon?
   Absolutely—they’re still delicious as a vegetarian appetizer.

6. What’s the best way to make them extra crispy?
   Add a buttered panko breadcrumb topping before baking or air fry instead of baking.

7. Can I air fry jalapeño poppers?
   Yes—cook at 375°F (190°C) for about 8–10 minutes until golden and bubbly.

8. How do I make them less spicy?
   Remove all seeds and white membranes and use milder peppers like mini sweet peppers.

9. How do I keep the cheese from oozing out?
   Don’t overfill and press the filling down slightly so it sits snugly inside the pepper.

10. How long will they stay good after baking?
    Best eaten fresh, but they can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.

How To Store Jalapeño Poppers

• Refrigerator:
  Place cooled poppers in an airtight container. Store for up to 3 days.
  Reheat in a 375°F oven or air fryer for 5–7 minutes to restore crispiness.

• Freezer (Unbaked):
  Assemble poppers, freeze on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag.
  Bake from frozen at 400°F for 23–25 minutes.

• Freezer (Baked):
  Cool completely, freeze on a baking sheet, then store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months.
  Reheat from frozen at 375°F for 12–15 minutes.

• Pro Tip:
  Avoid microwaving they’ll get soggy and lose crunch.