Description
Jalapeno Poppers are crispy and spicy snacks filled with creamy cheese and fresh jalapenos, delivering a perfect balance of heat and richness. Ideal as finger foods for parties, game days, or casual gatherings, these poppers combine bold flavors with delightful textures and can be made quickly with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 12 fresh jalapenos
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup bread crumbs (panko recommended)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying or olive oil spray for baking
Instructions
- Prepare the Jalapenos: Wash the jalapenos and slice them lengthwise in half. Use a spoon or knife to carefully remove the seeds and membranes, especially if you prefer less heat, creating hollow spaces for the filling.
- Make the Cheese Filling: In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Optionally, add bacon bits or other desired mix-ins.
- Stuff the Jalapenos: Spoon the cheese mixture generously into each jalapeno half, pressing lightly to keep the filling secure without overflowing.
- Prepare for Coating: Beat the egg in a shallow dish. Dip each stuffed jalapeno half into the egg, letting excess drip off, then press into bread crumbs to fully coat for maximum crunch.
- Cook to Crispy Perfection: Either deep-fry the poppers in hot vegetable oil (about 350°F) until golden brown, approximately 2-3 minutes, or bake them on a baking sheet at 400°F (204°C) for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through to ensure even crispiness.
Notes
- Wear gloves when handling jalapenos to avoid skin irritation from capsaicin.
- Don’t overfill the jalapenos to prevent the filling from spilling during cooking.
- Use panko bread crumbs for extra crunchiness compared to regular bread crumbs.
- After frying, drain poppers on paper towels to soak up excess oil and maintain crispiness.
- Make sure the oil is hot enough or the oven fully preheated to achieve even cooking and a crispy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Frying or Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 poppers
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: Jalapeno Poppers, spicy snack, cheesy appetizer, party finger food, baked jalapeno poppers, fried jalapeno poppers