Description
These classic Jalapeño Poppers are a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Fresh jalapeños are stuffed with a creamy, cheesy, bacon-filled mixture and baked until golden and bubbly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 fresh jalapeño peppers
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons green onions (scallions), chopped
- 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese (or a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack)
- 6 ounces bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare Jalapeños: Halve the jalapeños lengthwise. Using a small spoon or a paring knife, carefully remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeño halves. Wear gloves if you are sensitive to the heat of jalapeños. Discard the seeds and membranes.
- Make Filling: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, chopped green onions, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped cooked bacon.
- Mix Filling: Use a fork or a hand mixer to mash and combine the ingredients until they are well incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
- Fill Jalapeños: Spoon the cream cheese filling into the jalapeño halves, filling each one level with the edges. Do not overfill.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the stuffed jalapeños on a baking sheet (lining with parchment paper is optional, but makes cleanup easier).
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown, and the jalapeños are softened.
- Cool and Serve: Let the jalapeño poppers cool slightly before serving. They can be served warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Jalapeño Heat: The heat level of jalapeños can vary. Removing the seeds and membranes removes most of the heat. For a spicier popper, 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 chopping it. You can cook it in a skillet, in the oven, or in the microwave.
- Cheese: You can use other types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a blend.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve these jalapeño poppers as an appetizer or snack. They’re great for parties, game days, or any gathering.
- Make-Ahead: You can assemble the jalapeño poppers ahead of time and store them, covered, in the refrigerator until ready to bake. You may need to add a few minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.