Baked Jalapeño Poppers with Cream Cheese, Cheddar, and Bacon Recipe
These Jalapeño Poppers are a delicious appetizer featuring fresh jalapeño peppers stuffed with a creamy blend of cream cheese and cheddar cheese, seasoned with garlic and onion powder, then wrapped in crispy bacon and baked to perfection. Perfect for parties or a spicy snack, they offer a wonderful balance of heat, creaminess, and smoky flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 jalapeño poppers
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Jalapeño Poppers Ingredients
- 12 fresh jalapeño peppers
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 12 slices of bacon, cut in half
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to create the ideal temperature for baking the jalapeño poppers to crispy perfection.
- Prepare Jalapeños: Cut the jalapeño peppers in half lengthwise and carefully remove the seeds and membranes. Removing these parts reduces the heat, making the poppers more palatable.
- Make Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and evenly mixed, forming a flavorful filling.
- Stuff Jalapeños: Spoon the cheese mixture evenly into each jalapeño half, ensuring they are well filled but not overflowing.
- Wrap with Bacon: Wrap each stuffed jalapeño half with half a slice of bacon, securing it with a toothpick if needed to prevent the bacon from unwrapping during baking.
- Bake: Arrange the bacon-wrapped jalapeños on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake them in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the cheese is bubbly.
- Serve Hot: Remove the jalapeño poppers from the oven and serve immediately while hot for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Wear gloves when handling jalapeños to avoid irritation from the capsaicin oils.
- Adjust the amount of seeds and membranes you remove based on your heat preference; leaving more will increase spiciness.
- For extra flavor, you can add chopped green onions or smoked paprika to the cheese filling.
- If you want a milder version, consider substituting the jalapeños with mini sweet peppers.
- The bacon can be cooked slightly before wrapping for an extra crispy texture, but be careful not to overcook as it will finish cooking in the oven.
