Jalapeno Poppers
Jalapeño peppers stuffed with cream cheese and cheddar, wrapped in bacon, baked until crispy. The party appetizer that disappears in 5 minutes. Best made fresh; the bacon needs to crisp properly.
Prep Time
13 min
Cook Time
18 min
Servings
6
Calories
286 cal
🛠 Interactive Recipe Tools — Use them right here on this page
Smart Servings Scaler
- Jalapeno1 ½
- Cheese1 ½ cup
- Salt1 ½ tsp
- Black Pepper¾ tsp
- Cooking Oil1 ½
- Garlic4 ½ cloves
All quantities scaled automatically from 6 servings.
Ingredients
Makes 6 servings · Use the Servings Scaler above to adjust
- Jalapeno1.5
- Cheese1.5 cup
- Salt1.5 tsp
- Black Pepper0.75 tsp
- Cooking Oil1.5
- Garlic4.5 cloves
Instructions
- 1
Heat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil (catches grease).
- 2
Slice 12 large jalapeños in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and white ribs with a small spoon — wear gloves if your skin is sensitive.
- 3
Make the filling: in a bowl, beat 8 oz of softened cream cheese with 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar, 2 chopped scallions, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon paprika.
- 4
Stuff each jalapeño half with about 1 tablespoon of filling. Smooth the top with a spoon.
- 5
Wrap each stuffed jalapeño with half a strip of bacon (12 strips, cut in half = 24 half-strips). Secure with a toothpick if needed.
- 6
Place on the baking sheet, bacon seam-side down. Bake 20-25 minutes until the bacon is crispy and the cheese is bubbly. Cool 3 minutes before serving — the cheese is volcanic right out of the oven.
Watch how to make Jalapeno Poppers
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💡 Expert Tips
- 1.Remove seeds and ribs. The heat is concentrated there. Removing them gives manageable heat. Leave some for extra spice.
- 2.Wear gloves. Jalapeño oils linger on hands for hours. Don't touch your face after handling.
- 3.Softened cream cheese. Cold cream cheese is hard to mix and stuff.
- 4.Bacon must be crispy. Pre-bake the bacon partway if your jalapeños are small (they may cook before the bacon crisps).
🔬 Why It Works
Jalapeño poppers combine multiple irresistible elements: spicy pepper (cut by the creamy cheese), creamy cheese (cuts the heat), salty bacon (provides crispy contrast). The combination of textures and flavors makes them addictive. Baking instead of frying is healthier and easier — works just as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Nutrition Facts
Per serving (recipe makes 6 servings)
* Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are estimates.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (recipe makes 6 servings)
* Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are estimates.
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