Jalapeno Poppers

If you do any entertaining, you need a jalapeno popper recipe. Jalapeno poppers are as good as party food gets. They’re bite-sized, savory and go well with almost any beverage you care to consume.

If you don’t know how to make jalapeno pepper poppers, or have only ever bought them ready-made from the store, we have good news. They’re surprisingly quick and easy to make, and don’t require any special degree of cooking skill. Of course, if you want all of the same flavors but in a different form, we also have lots of other popper-inspired recipes.

Jalapeno Popper Ingredients

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• Cream cheese: Cream cheese provides the smooth, tangy base for the filling.
• Shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack: The shredded sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses dial up the filling’s flavor and cheesiness.
• Bacon: Cooked and crumbled bacon adds a sweet, smoky flavor that complements both the cheeses and the jalapenos themselves.
• Garlic powder: Garlic powder brings an aromatic, pungent complementary note to the cheese filling.
• Chili powder: Chili powder’s mix of spices rounds out the flavors of the filling, and complements the flavor and heat of the jalapenos.
• Fresh jalapenos: Jalapeno peppers are large enough to stuff, but small enough to be a bite-sized appetizer, so they’re perfect for this dish. Their heat level is only middling, so they’re mild enough for most people to enjoy.
• Bread crumbs: Bread crumbs give the jalapenos a golden topping and a mild crunch that contrasts pleasantly with the rich, gooey filling.
• Sour cream, onion dip or ranch dressing: You have a wide choice of dips to serve with jalapeno poppers, but sour cream, onion dip and ranch dressing are all good options.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the jalapenos

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Heat the oven to 325°F. In a large bowl, combine the cheeses with the bacon and seasonings, and mix them well.

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Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the filling into each half-pepper.

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Roll the stuffed jalapenos in the bread crumbs.

Step 2: Bake the poppers

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Transfer the breaded peppers to a greased 15×10-inch baking pan. Bake them, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the peppers are heated through. Serve the poppers with sour cream, onion dip or ranch dressing.

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Jalapeno Popper Recipe Variations

• Wrap them in bacon instead of crumbs: A breadcrumb coating makes a nice contrast to the cheesy filling, but bacon provides a compelling alternative. Par-cook bacon in half-strips so that it’s partially rendered but still flexible. Wrap a half-strip around each popper and secure it with a toothpick, then bake them as directed until the bacon is crisp. It’s much like this stuffed jalapenos recipe, except not grilled.
• Change the cream cheese: Plain cream cheese provides a nice base for the cheddar and Monterey Jack, but opt for a flavored cream cheese for an easy way to dial things up a notch. Onion- or garlic-flavored cream cheeses are obvious upgrades. Alternatively, if you don’t care for cream cheese, you might opt for ricotta, mascarpone, queso fresco or other cream cheese substitutes instead.
• Fry the poppers: Frying is a bit messier than just sliding a pan into the oven, but fried poppers have their devoted fans. Making them is much the same, except you’ll need the breadcrumbs to stick to the whole outside of the pepper. Fill the jalapenos as directed, then dip them in milk and roll them in flour. Shake off any excess and let them sit for a few minutes, then dip them again in the milk and roll them in breadcrumbs. The poppers can be shallow-fried in a skillet with an inch of oil, or deep-fried in a fryer or deep saucepan. Fry them in small batches at 375°, until they’re crunchy and golden.

How to Store Jalapeno Poppers

Store any leftover jalapeno poppers in your fridge, in a single layer, in a food safe container with a tight-fitting lid. If you have too many to fit in a single layer, use more than one container or place a sheet of parchment or wax paper between the layers to keep them from sticking together.

How long do jalapeno poppers keep?

The leftovers will be good in your fridge for three to four days. For the best texture, reheat them in a toaster oven or air fryer rather than your microwave.

Can jalapeno poppers be frozen?

Yes, they freeze pretty well. Arrange your leftovers (or make-aheads) evenly on a sheet pan, not touching each other, and freeze them uncovered. Once they’re frozen, pack them into freezer bags or containers for longer storage. Alternatively, you can do the same with uncooked poppers, and bake them straight from the oven. In either case they can last up to four months in the freezer, depending how well they’re wrapped, but their flavor and quality will be best in the first month or two.

Jalapeno Popper Recipe Tips

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How can I make this hot poppers recipe less spicy?

There are a few ways to tone things down if you love the popper flavor but want a bit less heat. One is to diligently remove the jalapeno seeds and internal membranes, because the membranes in particular are packed with capsaicin. Soaking the halved and cleaned jalapenos in cold water for 15 to 20 minutes also helps. Some cooks believe that jalapenos with smooth skins are milder than those with tiny cracks in the skin, but that may or may not be accurate. Finally, the suggested serving dips to accompany the poppers will also help cool your tongue.

Do I need to take any special precautions when handling the jalapenos?

Taking precautions is a good idea when you handle any hot pepper. Capsaicin, the active ingredient that gives chiles their heat, can cause an unpleasant or painful burning sensation on the outside of your body as well. Wear disposable gloves when you handle and clean the peppers, and avoid touching your face (especially your eyes or nose) until you’ve cleaned your workspace, washed the knife and cutting board, and removed your gloves. Absent-mindedly rubbing your nose with a pepper-laden finger is decidedly unpleasant (I can vouch for this!) but getting it in your eyes can result in a trip to the ER.

Does it matter what kind of breadcrumbs I use?

Plain, panko and seasoned breadcrumbs all give a different end result, and all three are good. Larger panko crumbs give the finished poppers a bit more crunch on top, while seasoned breadcrumbs are an easy way to add extra flavor.