Roasted Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese (Spicy, Creamy, and Cheesy!)

This Roasted Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese is the ultimate comfort food with a kick! It takes the classic grilled cheese sandwich to a whole new level by adding the spicy, creamy, and cheesy flavors of jalapeño poppers. I love how this recipe combines the crispy, buttery goodness of grilled cheese with the heat of roasted jalapeños, the creaminess of cream cheese, and the smoky flavor of bacon. It’s a truly unforgettable sandwich that’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or a late-night snack.

Why You’ll Love This Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese

• Spicy and Creamy: The combination of roasted jalapeños and cream cheese creates a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
• Cheesy Goodness: Loaded with cheddar cheese, this grilled cheese is extra gooey and delicious.
• Bacon Makes it Better: Crispy bacon adds a smoky and savory element.
• Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
• Ultimate Comfort Food: It’s a grilled cheese sandwich taken to the next level!

Ingredients for Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese

Here’s what you’ll need to make this epic grilled cheese. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Main Ingredients

• Jalapeños (Vegetable)
• Cream cheese, room temperature (Dairy)
• Mild cheddar cheese, shredded (Dairy)
• Bacon, cooked (Meat)
• Texas toast (or your bread of choice) (Bread)
• Unsalted butter, divided (Fat)

Seasoning

• Olive oil (Oil)
• Garlic salt (Seasoning)
• Black pepper (Spice)
• Onion powder (Spice)

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)

Variations

I love this Roasted Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:

• Adjust the Heat: Use more or fewer jalapeños, or remove the seeds and membranes for a milder flavor. You can also use pickled jalapeños.
• Different Cheese: Try using Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a blend of cheeses.
• Add More Toppings: Add some sliced tomatoes, caramelized onions, or avocado.
• Different Bread: Use sourdough, ciabatta, or your favorite bread instead of Texas toast.
• Add protein: Add some pulled pork.

How to Make Roasted Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese

Let me show you how to make this incredibly delicious Roasted Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese:

Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet

1. I preheat my oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. I line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Roast Jalapeños

1. I brush the jalapeños with olive oil on all sides.
2. I place them on the prepared baking sheet.
3. I roast for about 15 minutes, or until the skin of the jalapeños begins to char slightly.
4. I remove them from the oven and set them aside to cool slightly.

Make Cream Cheese Mixture

1. To a medium mixing bowl, I add the softened cream cheese, garlic salt, pepper, and onion powder.
2. I mix until creamy.

Chop Jalapeños and Combine

1. Once the jalapenos are cool enough to handle, I roughly chop them.
2. I fold them into the cream cheese mixture.

Assemble Sandwiches

1. I butter one side of one slice of bread.
2. On the opposite side (the unbuttered side), I spread half of the cream cheese mixture.
3. I top the cream cheese mixture with 3 slices of bacon and ½ cup of cheddar cheese.
4. I top with another slice of bread and butter the outside.
5. I repeat these steps with the remaining bread, cream cheese mixture, bacon, and cheddar cheese.

Grill Sandwiches

1. I add the buttered sandwich to a skillet and cook both sides over medium heat until the bread is toasted and the cheese is completely melted (3-5 minutes per side).

Serve

1. Serve Immediately

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Grilled Cheese

Here are my secrets for making the perfect grilled cheese:

• Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese is much easier to mix with the other ingredients.
• Roast the Jalapeños: Roasting the jalapeños enhances their flavor and makes them easier to chop.
• Butter the Bread: Buttering the outside of the bread creates a golden-brown and crispy crust.
• Low and Slow: Cook the sandwiches over medium heat to allow the cheese to melt completely without burning the bread.
• Use a Good Quality Bread: Texas toast is a great choice for grilled cheese because it’s thick and sturdy.

How to Serve

This Roasted Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese is perfect for:

• Lunch: A quick and easy lunch that’s packed with flavor.
• Dinner: A satisfying and comforting dinner.
• Game Day: A great snack for watching the game.
• Appetizers: Cut the sandwiches into smaller pieces and serve as appetizers.

Make Ahead and Storage

You can prepare the cream cheese filling ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Leftover grilled cheese sandwiches can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet, in the oven, or in the air fryer.

FAQs about Roasted Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese

• Can I make this without the bacon?
  • Yes, you can omit the bacon for a vegetarian version.
• Can I use a different type of cheese?
  • Absolutely! Feel free to use your favorite cheese or a blend of cheeses.
• Can I make this without roasting the jalapenos?
  • I would recommend

Enjoy this spicy, creamy, cheesy, and utterly delicious Roasted Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese! It’s a fun and flavorful twist on a classic sandwich.

Roasted Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese

• Author: Caoimhe Byrne
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 2 sandwiches 1x
• Category: Main Course, Sandwich
• Cuisine: American

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Description

This Roasted Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese is a delicious and spicy twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich. It combines the flavors of jalapeño poppers – roasted jalapeños, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and bacon – with the comfort of buttery, toasted bread.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 medium jalapeño peppers, stems removed, halved lengthwise, and seeded
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 cup (113g) shredded mild cheddar cheese, divided
• 6 strips bacon, cooked until crispy, divided
• 4 slices Texas toast (or your favorite bread for grilled cheese)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided (softened or melted)

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Instructions

• Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• Prepare Jalapeños: Remove the stems from the jalapeños. Slice each jalapeño in half lengthwise. Use a small spoon or paring knife to remove the seeds and membranes (this reduces the heat; for a spicier sandwich, leave some seeds and membranes).

• Roast Jalapeños: Brush the jalapeño halves (both inside and outside) with the olive oil. Place them on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for about 15 minutes, or until the skin of the jalapeños begins to blister and char slightly.

• Cool Jalapeños: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and set the jalapeños aside to cool slightly.

• Make Cream Cheese Filling: While the jalapeños are cooling, make the filling. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, garlic salt, black pepper, and onion powder. Beat with a hand mixer or stir vigorously with a spoon until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

• Chop Jalapeños and Bacon: Once the roasted jalapeños are cool enough to handle, roughly chop them. Chop or crumble the cooked bacon.

• Combine Filling: Add the chopped roasted jalapeños to the cream cheese mixture. Fold them in gently until evenly distributed.

• Prepare Bread: Butter one side of each slice of bread.

• Assemble Sandwiches:

  • Lay two slices of bread, buttered-side down, on a clean surface.
  • Spread half of the cream cheese mixture evenly over each of the two bread slices.
  • Top the cream cheese mixture with half of the crumbled/chopped bacon (reserving the rest for garnish or another use).
  • Sprinkle 1/2 cup (total, 1/4 cup per sandwich) of the shredded cheddar cheese over the bacon and cream cheese.
  • Top with the remaining two slices of bread, buttered-side up.

• Cook Sandwiches: Heat a large skillet (cast iron is ideal) or griddle over medium heat.

• Grill: Place the assembled sandwiches in the heated skillet. Cook for 3-5 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and toasted, and the cheese is completely melted and gooey. Press down gently on the sandwiches with a spatula while they cook to help them cook evenly.

• Serve

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Notes

• Jalapeño Heat: The heat level of jalapeños can vary. Removing the seeds and membranes reduces the heat significantly. For a spicier sandwich, leave some of the seeds and membranes intact. Always wear gloves when handling jalapeños, and avoid touching your eyes.
• Cream Cheese: Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
• Bacon: Cook the bacon until crispy before using it in the sandwiches.
• Bread: Texas toast is recommended for its thickness and ability to hold up to the filling, but you can use other sturdy breads, such as sourdough or a thick-sliced white bread.
• Cheese: Mild cheddar cheese is used in this recipe, but you can substitute other cheeses, such as sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack.
• Serving Suggestions: Serve these jalapeño popper grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup, a side salad, or your favorite dipping sauce.
• Storage: Best Served Immediately