Jalapeño Poppers

Years ago, I needed a very quick, impromptu, no-time-for-the-store appetizer and when I surveyed my fridge, I found a bag of jalapenos, cream cheese, and bacon, among other things. I immediately knew I could whip up some jalapeno poppers and, much to my amazement, they were gobbled up and raved about, even from guests who claimed they didn’t like spicy anything.

If you’re looking for snacks that you can scale up and prepare easily (even ahead of time), these should be at the top of your list!

Only THREE Ingredients!

The absolute best part about jalapeño poppers (other than how utterly delicious they are) is that they are ridiculously easy to make and super simple to scale for a party of 2 to a party of 50. Here is all you’ll need:

• Jalapeno Peppers – The star of the show… whether you grow your own or buy them from the store, any traditional jalapeno peppers will work. 
• Cream Cheese – I use block cream cheese for this and prefer the full-fat variety so that it doesn’t get watery. 
• Bacon – Use your favorite brand, but I do not recommend thick cut, as it will just take too long to cook. 

Customization Options

There are so many ways to customize these jalapeno poppers, but here are a few ideas:

• Chop bacon instead of wrapping – In lieu of wrapping each jalapeno in bacon, you could cook it separately until crisp, chop it up and mix it into the cream cheese.
• Add shredded cheese – I love this cheesy addition! Use your favorite, but I really like sharp cheddar cheese, colby, or a Montery Jack blend here. You could also add grated Parmesan cheese (in the mixture or on top).
• Add extra flavorings – I honestly don’t feel these need much extra pop, but you could finely chop green onions, chives, garlic, use garlic powder, cayenne, etc. and add them to the cream cheese mixture if you want to include additional flavors.
• Add a crunchy topping – The bread crumb topping from my cajun mac and cheese recipe is my favorite! To use it here, combine ½ cup panko bread crumbs with 2 tablespoons melted butter, then sprinkle over the prepared jalapeno poppers before baking.

These come together quickly and easily; here’s how!

Step #1: Prep the Jalapenos – I recommend that you wear gloves to handle jalapeno peppers; there is nothing worse than getting the spicy oil on your hands and forgetting to not touch your eye 😅 Wearing your gloves, slice the jalapenos in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and membranes (this keeps the dish mild instead of spicier).

Step #2: Stuff the Jalapenos – Spread the cream cheese inside of each jalapeno half.

Step #3: Wrap with Bacon – Wrap a slice of bacon around each jalapeno half, tucking in the end underneath the jalapeno. 

Step #4: Bake! – These are done in less than 30 minutes and can be served warm or at room temperature.

What to Serve with Jalapeno Poppers

While these poppers absolutely stand on their own taste and texture-wise, some people like to include a dipping sauce to go along with them. A few suggestions:

• Ranch dressing
• BBQ sauce
• Spicy dipping sauce

Can You Make These Ahead of Time?

Yes! This is a great recipe to prepare the day before a party or cookout. 

Simply prepare the peppers and place in an airtight container, on a tray, or on the baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap, then refrigerate until ready to bake. 

How to Store and Reheat

Storage – Place cooled jalapeno poppers in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

To Reheat in Oven – Place on a baking sheet and reheat in a 350-degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until heated through.

To Reheat in Air Fryer – Place the jalapeno poppers filling-side-up in the air fryer and heat at 375 degrees for 5 to 7 minutes, or until warmed through and crisp.

I do not recommend reheating jalapeno poppers in the microwave, as they will become mushy.

More Favorite Appetizer Recipes

• Jalapeno Popper Dip
• Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
• Antipasto Appetizer Squares
• Cheesy Pepperoni Bites
• Cheesy Bacon-Wrapped Dates
• Spinach Artichoke Dip

If you make this jalapeno popper recipe and love it, remember to stop back and give it a 5-star rating - it helps others find the recipe! ❤️️