Baked Jalapeño Poppers with Cream Cheese, Cheddar, and Bacon Recipe
Crispy bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers stuffed with a creamy blend of cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and flavorful spices. These spicy, cheesy appetizers are oven-baked to golden perfection, making them perfect for parties, snacks, or game day treats.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 poppers
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Peppers
- 12 fresh jalapeño peppers
Cheese Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Bacon Wrap
- 12 slices of bacon, cut in half
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it's hot and ready for baking the poppers to a crispy finish.
- Prepare Jalapeños: Cut the jalapeño peppers in half lengthwise and carefully remove the seeds and membranes to reduce heat, making them easier to eat.
- Make Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Stuff Jalapeños: Fill each jalapeño half generously with the cheese mixture, ensuring an even distribution of filling.
- Wrap with Bacon: Wrap each stuffed jalapeño half with half a slice of bacon. Secure with a toothpick if necessary to keep the bacon in place during baking.
- Bake: Arrange the wrapped jalapeños on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and the cheese filling is hot and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve hot for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Removing the seeds and membranes reduces the heat but keeps the flavorful kick of the jalapeño.
- You can substitute cheddar cheese with Monterey Jack or pepper jack for variation.
- Using toothpicks helps keep the bacon wrapped securely during baking.
- For extra crispiness, broil for an additional 1-2 minutes after baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Allow poppers to cool slightly before serving to avoid burns from hot cheese.
