Description
These Jalapeno Poppers with Bacon are a deliciously spicy appetizer featuring creamy cheese-filled jalapenos wrapped in crispy bacon. Perfectly baked to achieve a crispy exterior with a smooth and flavorful filling, these poppers are ideal for parties or snacks, served warm or at room temperature with ranch dressing for dipping.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 clove garlic, smashed and minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Main Ingredients
- 12 jalapenos
- 12 slices bacon (not thick cut)
- Toothpicks
- Ranch dressing (for dipping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F to prepare for baking the poppers.
- Prepare Baking Setup: Line a large baking sheet with foil and place an oven-safe cooling rack on top to allow grease to drain and keep the poppers crispy.
- Make Filling: Beat the softened cream cheese in a large bowl or stand mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Add Seasonings: Add cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, minced garlic, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper to the cream cheese, then blend thoroughly until well combined.
- Prepare Jalapenos: Slice jalapenos in half vertically, keeping the stems intact to prevent filling from spilling out.
- Remove Seeds and Membranes: Use a serrated knife and spoon to remove all seeds and white membranes; leaving some will increase spiciness.
- Fill Jalapenos: Spoon about a tablespoon or less of the cheese mixture into each jalapeno half, avoiding overfilling to prevent overflow during baking.
- Wrap with Bacon: Cut each bacon slice in half, wrap each stuffed jalapeno half with a bacon piece, and secure with a toothpick. Place on the prepared cooling rack.
- Bake: Bake at 400°F for 17-25 minutes, checking early to ensure bacon reaches desired crispiness. Optionally, broil for 1-2 minutes on the top oven rack to brown the bacon further, watching carefully.
- Serve: Let the poppers cool slightly, then serve warm or at room temperature with ranch dressing for dipping.
Notes
- Wearing disposable gloves while handling jalapenos is recommended to avoid skin irritation and accidental eye contact with capsaicin.
- Using a cooling rack during baking prevents sogginess by allowing bacon grease to drip away from the poppers.
- These poppers can be frozen before baking; simply wrap and store them for later use.
- Cayenne pepper adds flavor depth but not significant heat; omit if sensitive to spice.
- To achieve crispier bacon, consider broiling for a brief time but watch closely to prevent burning.
