Easy Jalapeño Poppers Recipe for Party Appetizers
These bite-sized Jalapeno Poppers are the perfect savory appetizer for any party, combining spicy jalapenos with a creamy, cheesy filling and crispy bacon topping. They’re easy to prepare, baked until bubbly and golden, making them ideal finger foods to enjoy while mingling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 poppers (serves 12) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Jalapeno Peppers
- 12 large jalapeno peppers
Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
Topping
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (divided: 4 tablespoons for filling, 2 tablespoons for topping)
Instructions
- Prep Oven and Pan: Move the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a standard size cookie sheet with foil and lightly grease the foil with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prep Jalapeños: Slice the jalapenos lengthwise in half and carefully remove all seeds and white membranes to reduce heat and create space for the filling.
- Make Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, grated cheddar, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, ground black pepper, and all but 2 tablespoons of the crumbled bacon. Use a handheld mixer to beat the mixture until creamy and well blended, about 1 minute.
- Assemble Jalapeño Poppers: Spoon the cream cheese mixture evenly into each jalapeno half, then place the stuffed jalapeños on the prepared cookie sheet. Sprinkle the reserved 2 tablespoons of crumbled bacon evenly over the top of the poppers.
- Bake: Bake the assembled poppers in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they are bubbly and the tops begin to turn golden.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let the jalapeno poppers cool for 3 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and ensure safe eating temperature.
Notes
- For milder poppers, remove all seeds and membranes from the jalapenos; for spicier, leave some seeds intact.
- Use thick-cut bacon for a chewier, more flavorful topping, or turkey bacon for a leaner option.
- Make ahead by preparing the filling and jalapeno halves separately and assembling just before baking.
- Can be served with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheat in the oven to maintain crispness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 poppers
- Calories: 153 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 289 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 38 mg
Keywords: jalapeno poppers, bite-sized appetizers, party snacks, cream cheese jalapeno recipes, bacon jalapeno poppers
