These jalapeño poppers are the perfect game day appetizer. Fresh halved jalapenos are stuffed with a rich cream cheese filling, wrapped in bacon and then baked for a craveable snack!
Need more appetizer recipes with jalapenos? Try my jalapeno popper dip and this jalapeño popper cheese ball, too!
Table of Contents
Jalapeno Poppers with Bacon
If you’re looking for the best Super Bowl appetizers to make, these jalapeño poppers are it! They’re the perfect bite-size snack that packs a punch of flavor. Garlic parmesan pigs in a blanket, buffalo chicken dip and potato skins are other favorite game day snacks.
Jalapeño poppers are one of the best mini appetizers for any party! They have the right amount of heat but aren’t overly spicy. They are wrapped in crispy bacon which compliments the cream cheese filling so well.
Jalapeno Poppers Recipe Ingredients
You only need 5 simple ingredients to make this simple appetizer! While you can make the recipe with only cream cheese, I like the addition of cheddar and onion powder for flavor!
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Jalapeños: Wash and dry the fresh jalapeños. Medium-sized jalapeños that are bright green are best! Slice jalapeños in half and remove seeds but leave stem attached.
- Cream cheese: Soften your cream cheese on the counter at room temperature.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Purchase already pre-shredded cheese or shred your own block of cheese.
- Onion powder: This will give a savory blend to the cream cheese mixture. Garlic powder will work too!
- Bacon: Cut the slice of bacon in half. Uncooked bacon will cook while in the oven.
Substitutions and Variations
- Cheese: Any type of cheddar works from sharp cheddar cheese to mild cheddar cheese. Try pepper jack cheese for additional spice.
- Bacon: As is these are keto-friendly bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers. You could also mix in crumbled bacon with the cream cheese filling or even omit the bacon for a vegetarian friendly version.
- Breadcrumb topping: Make these extra crispy with a sprinkle of breadcrumbs on top! It’s easy to do, just mix Panko bread crumbs with a few Tablespoons of melted butter and sprinkle over stuffed jalapenos. Do not use if gluten-free.
- Mini bell peppers: If you are serving these to someone sensitive to spicy foods, try this same method with mini bell peppers.
How to Make Jalapeño Poppers
These jalapeño poppers are so simple to make and come together quickly. They are perfect for a side dish or an appetizer!
- Slice and remove seeds. Cut jalapeños in half lengthwise and remove both seeds and membranes.
- Make filling. In a small bowl, combine cheese and onion powder and mix. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Fill and wrap. Fill each half with cheese filling and place on a baking sheet. Then cut the bacon in half and wrap it around the center of each jalapeño. Secure with a toothpick.
- Bake in the oven. Bake at 400ºF for 15 to 20 minutes, until bacon is crispy and cheese golden brown. Serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips
Jalapeños are delicate to work with and can hurt the eyes if not handled properly. Here are some helpful tips to work with jalapeños and then baking the poppers.
- Wear gloves while scooping out the seeds with a spoon or make sure to wash your hands after holding the peppers. You don’t want to accidentally burn your eyes (like I’ve done in the past).
- Control the spice level by removing both the seeds and rib (membrane) inside the jalapeno.
- Bake on the top rack in your oven for extra crispiness.
- Use a toothpick to hold the bacon down if needed.
- Use fully cooked bacon (I buy mine at Costco) if you like your bacon crispy.
- Try cooking jalapeno poppers in the air fryer! Arrange stuffed jalapenos in a single layer and air fry at 325°F for 10 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Jalapeno poppers make a great finger food on their but I love to serve them with some dipping sauce on the side!
My favorite sauces to serve these with include ranch dressing topped with chopped chives. The creaminess from the ranch helps level out the spice and tastes amazing with the bacon. A blue cheese dressing or a creamy cilantro lime dressing are great options, too.
To make a complete meal serve jalapeños as a side dish to baked chicken tenders or steak kabobs!
Recipe FAQs
No, not at all! If you like your jalapeños crunchy you will not want to blanch them. Boiling your jalapeños softens them and makes it easier to scoop out the seeds.
The seeds hold a lot of the heat from jalapeño. If you are wanting to have a spicier popper leave in the seeds and white ribs. You can also add the seeds to the cream cheese mixture.
For a less spicy popper, remove all the seeds and membranes for less heat.
They are best eaten hot out of the oven, however they still taste good cold.
Yes! These are a crowd-pleaser and go quickly so making extra is a great way to ensure everyone gets plenty.
Sure! Assemble then air fry at 325°F for 10-12 minutes. The air fryer is also a great way to reheat them.
Make Ahead
It’s super easy to make these ahead of time.
- Refrigerator: Stuff the peppers, wrap them in bacon, then add them to your baking sheet. Tightly cover the sheet with foil or plastic wrap and place in fridge. Right before serving, pop in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until they’re crispy.
- Freezing: Assemble peppers and then flash freeze. Once frozen, place in a single layer in an airtight container for up to one month. When ready to serve, place frozen peppers on a baking sheet and bake 25-30 minutes.
- Reheating: Reheat in the oven until warm or in the air fryer.
Other easy appetizers make for a game-day snack include baked chicken wings, cowboy caviar and a charcuterie board is a party favorite!
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Jalapeño Poppers Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 10 jalapeños
- ½ cup cream cheese (softened)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 10 slices thin bacon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400ºF. Line a baking sheet with foil and set aside. Place a wire rack on top if you want the poppers to be crispy.
- Cut the jalapeños in half lengthwise and then remove the seeds and membranes.
- Combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese and onion powder in a small bowl. Mix until combined. Add a dash of salt and pepper if desired. Then fill each jalapeno half with cream cheese and place on the baking sheet.
- Cut the bacon in half and then wrap it around the center of the jalapeño. Secure with a toothpick.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy. Serve while hot.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Appetizers, Low Carb, Mini appetizers, Super Bowl
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
I can eat way more than my fair share of these! Addictively good.
I love it! So glad you enjoy the poppers Abby :)