I must be living under a rock because I just recently learned about jalapeno poppers that are wrapped in bacon instead of battered and deep-fried. This recipe is perfect for any party, gathering, BBQ, or football tailgating as an appetizer.
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Some Texan friends (of friends) brought these little treats to a New Year’s Eve party, and I had to force myself to stop eating them so there would be enough for others! Even though I don’t normally go for spicy dishes.
Apparently this appetizer is very much a “Texan thing,” and once I got home and “googled” it I realized I must be late to the party. Well I guess it’s better late than never so here’s our version of this recipe…just in time for those upcoming Superbowl parties!
Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
Here are a few more football and/or tailgate snack ideas:
- The Best Pulled Pork in a Crock Pot
- Potato Skins
- Meatballs (with toothpicks & red dipping sauce)
- Pimento Cheese (cold or hot)
- Glazed Popcorn
- Easy Cheesy Crackers
- Pesto Cream Cheese Bake (and other apps)
- Cheddar Garlic Biscuits
- Slow Cooker Baked Beans
- Chicken and Cheese Tostadas
Ready to go in the oven…
Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
I must be living under a rock because I just recently learned about jalapeno poppers that are wrapped in bacon instead of battered and deep-fried. This recipe is perfect for any party, gathering, BBQ, or football tailgating as an appetizer.
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Servings: 24 pieces
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Ingredients
- 12 jalapeños
- 1 block cream cheese ((low fat version not recommended. You can do homemade pimento cheese instead; see note for recipe link))
- 8 slices bacon (smoked, raw)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Slice each jalapeño down the middle and remove both the stem and the seeds. To remove the seeds you can either use a spoon or your finger. If desired, this step can be done while wearing latex gloves, but whatever you do don’t rub your eyes after handling the pepper seeds!
- Cut the raw bacon in thirds using either a knife or culinary scissors.
- Using a spoon, fill the jalapeño halves with cream cheese. It’s okay if it gets a little messy.
- Wrap one small piece of bacon around each cream cheese-filled jalapeno with the bacon seam on the bottom.
- Protect the baking sheet with a piece of foil and place a drying rack or other cooking rack on top of the foil-lined baking sheet. Place the completed jalapeños on the rack so the bacon grease can drain onto the foil.
- Bake at 375 degrees F for 20 – 25 minutes or until the bacon looks brown and crisp.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Pimento cheese recipe – Homemade Pimento Cheese
- Special equipment needed: Drying rack or other metal grate to put on top of baking sheet and aluminum foil to protect the pan.
- Don’t be afraid to double this recipe for an extra big crowd.
- We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
Amount Per Serving
Calories 31
Calories from Fat 27
% Daily Value*
Fat 3g5%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 5mg2%
Sodium 49mg2%
Potassium 15mg0%
Carbohydrates 1g0%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 5IU0%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Drizzle each with 1/4 tsp Maple Syrup after baking – S l o w l y , so it soaks in, and not drip off…
I also mix 1-2 cloves of minced garlic into the cream cheese & a little shredded cheddar at times
YES on the gloves.. I knew about not rubbing your eyes… but I peeled a bunch of roasted Jalapenos one time without them.. and my hands burned for hours… not fun….
Using a Ziplock with a corner snipped off as a pastry bag works Great.. I also use the Ziplock method for filling deviled eggs….. It’s a lot easier than cleaning up my actual pastry bag
We have also been making these with the little mini sweet peppers and mixing in a bit of shredded cheddar cheese!
Easy to make and came out delicious!
I used an air fryer 375 degrees for 15 minutes.
Do you think I could use an almond milk “cream cheese”?
Yes, that should work, too, though it is not something we’ve tried.
My son and I learned the hard way. Don’t rub eyes after touching seeds.
We’ve been making these for years! The easiest way to stuff the peppers is to let the cream cheese rest at room temp until really squishy. Then I mix in freshly chopped herbs, put it in a ziplock bag, cut off a small corner, and pipe it onto the jalapeños. Easy!
I had thought I had invented them until I realized, I too had grown up/currently lived under a rock. Nevertheless…. I love to throw them in the smoker! 250 for about 2 hours, and then finish them in the oven to get a tad crisp.
Our grocer now sells them, so I think hey I don’t have to make them! But they are $1 a piece.
We make these with goat cheese for my daughter who is sensitive to cow dairy. I personally think it is even better than cream cheese, and so does my entire family.
I make these on a regular basis and have found that using a grapefruit spoon (it has a serrated tip) to clean the peppers is a quick, easy way to get the membrane and seeds out of the peppers.
Love the grapefruit spoon idea!
In the rare event that you have leftovers, they are delicious sliced up and cooked in scrambled eggs the next morning!
Oh that’s sounds delicious! Thanks for the tip :-)
How long and what temp do you bake?
Ah! Love poppers! My New Mexico nativeness must protest that this is really a NM thing that the Texans adopted. I guess I’m half/half since I live on the border. My trick to getting the bacon to cook thoroughly is to broil not bake. If you wrap the bacon around really well you can even flip for just a few minutes. The absolute BEST flavor comes from grilling but be ready for a grease fire! I melted a humming bird feeder this way.
We have a tasty version here too with shrimp, jalepeno flavored cream cheese, and bacon wrap, then grill or just deep fry for a bit. Mmmm! NM at it’s best!
I have made these the last few years BC my jalapeño plants were so prolific that I had tons left after salsa, chili, tacos, etc. They are insanely delicious. You can do easily make them on a pizza stone and save the clean up of a baking sheet. That is how I make mine.
I pat a good bit of brown sugar on top of each one. It really sets the stage for sweet and spicy! I always cook on a rack…but the bacon seems to never crisp on the bottom. Not sure what I am doing wrong…
Re: Freezing
I mix my cream cheese with shredded sharp cheddar prior to filling the jalapeno halves. You can wrap them with bacon and freeze in a single layer OR you can fill the pepper and freeze without the bacon. I had to do this once when my bacon and cream cheese didn’t even out. I’d recommend using parchment paper when freezing so they don’t stick to the pan. Also, you definitely need to bake these on a raised rack, so both sides get crispy!! These are a FAVORITE and whenever I take them anywhere, I NEVER have any to bring any home!!
Made these, with the pimento cheese recipe, yesterday for my brother in law’s birthday and they were a HUGE hit with both kids and adults. Even my 2 year old gobbled one down. I did have to broil mine on low for a few minutes at the end to get the bacon crispy. Another incredible recipe from 100 Days of Real Food!!!
Can I freeze theese after they have been cooked? I also make mine with shrimp, crab, finely diced shallots or green onions, and cream cheese. They are delicious!!!
Hi Kelly. We’ve not tried freezing this dish. Cream cheese typically doesn’t freeze all that well. Let us know if you try it and how it works out. ~Amy
Yes, these are indeed a Texas staple. I made some last weekend for July 4th. My mom had actually never had them and she normally doesn’t like jalepenos, but she loved these. I had not thought to put them on a rack though. I’ll have to try that next time.
Hi just a note to the alterations I have made with the recipe. After I cut and clean out the seeds I soak mine in a bowl of salt water for 20 to 30 mintues . This cuts the hot for us wimps. I use pecan flavored cream cheese and maple bacon. It gives them a sweet nutty and maple taste that is to die for. It is very easy to make your own pecan flavored cream cheese I just add minced up pecans and raw sugar to taste and blend to mix well. Either way our family loves them …but my way they disappear so quick I have to set mine aside or I don’t get a bite.
I pre-cooked the bacon on a paper towel before hand and drained all the bacon fat. Then put them in the oven they were delicious and crispy!