Jalapeno Poppers are the ultimate appetizer. Whether for a party buffet or gameday snacks, you will love this easy appetizer with a creamy, cheesy filling and a crispy bacon crumb topping.
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Helpful Reader Review
“Unbelievable, hands down the best recipe for stuffed jalapenos I’ve ever had. I doubled the recipe and added 1 tsp smoked paprika and 2 tsp horse radish, really kicked up the flavor. superb recipe.” – R. Hager ★★★★★
Jalapeño Poppers Video
Jalapeno poppers are one of the easiest, crowd-favorite appetizers. I honestly crave them and can’t keep my hands off these spicy, creamy, cheesy delights.
Easy Jalapeno Popper Recipe
The crispy bacon topping takes these stuffed jalapeno popper appetizers over the top. This jalapeño popper recipe works well year-round, but it’s especially popular for game-day sports parties (hello Super Bowl!).
They also check all the boxes: make-ahead, tasty at room temperature, easy to transport, and easy to serve as finger foods. You can serve it as is, or dip it into Ranch Dressing or Jalapeno Ranch for a little extra kick.
Just like our Guacamole, Cheeseball, Stuffed Mushrooms, and Spinach Artichoke Dip, these bacon-stuffed jalapeno poppers are such a hit at parties, and they always disappear fast. That’s why I included them in my Cookbook.
Jalapeno Poppers Ingredients
- Bacon – 6 ounces equals about 5 strips of bacon
- Cheese filling ingredients – cream cheese (room temperature for easy mixing), medium cheddar cheese, chives, garlic cloves, salt, and pepper.
- Jalapenos – Larger peppers are easier to stuff and handle, but any size works. Wear kitchen gloves whenever handling the raw jalapenos, and never touch your face or eyes!
- Panko – adds a toasted crunch to the top
- Butter – melted, these are soaked in butter and baked on top of the popper
How to Tell if Jalapenos are Spicy
You can’t always tell for sure if jalapenos are spicy, but here are some clues to look for:
- White lines or cracks (“corking”) are usually hotter
- Smaller peppers are often spicier than big, fat ones
- Deep green or dull skin has more heat than shiny, bright green
- Pointier tips can mean more kick
Jalapeno Popper Variations
Customize these cream cheese-stuffed jalapeno poppers to your preference:
- Cheese – Use sharp cheddar cheese zing, or pepper jack cheese for a kick
- Bacon – Make keto-friendly bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers by wrapping the peppers and securing them with a toothpick before baking. Or, omit the bacon to make them vegetarian.
- Adjust the heat – If you like them spicy, leave some of the membrane inside.
- Mini Bell Pepper – Can’t handle the heat? Swap the jalapeños for baby bell peppers.
How to Make Jalapeño Poppers
This jalapeño popper recipe yields 20-28 appetizer bites, depending on size, so it’s enough to satisfy a crowd.
- Cook the bacon in a large skillet until crisp and browned (or make Air Fryer Bacon). Cool and chop the bacon into small bits. I like to reserve some of the bacon grease to stir into the bread crumbs. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Make the filling – Mix the cream cheese, cheddar, chives, garlic, salt and pepper in a bowl.
- Slice Jalapenos – Put on your kitchen gloves in case jalapenos are spicy. Cut the jalapeños in half lengthwise and then scrape out the seeds and membranes. (The more white membrane you leave, the hotter the popper!) I like to leave the stem on as a handle.
- Stuff each pepper half with cheese filling until just level, and then place on a lined cookie sheet.
- Make the topping – combine the butter (or reserved bacon fat) and the panko crumbs in a bowl, and then stir in the bacon crumbles. Spoon a teaspoon of the mixture on each pepper half.
- Bake – Bake for 17 minutes, and then cool for 10 minutes. Garnish with green onion if desired.
How Long to Bake Jalapeno Poppers?
Bake time varies based on jalapeño size. Bake the stuffed jalapeños at 400°F for 17-20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the sides feel soft when squeezed.
Can I Make Jalapeno Poppers in an Air Fryer?
We love the air fryer for making quick and easy appetizers like our popular Air Fryer Chicken Wings. You can make these Jalapeno Poppers in the Air Fryer just as easily. Arrange the stuffed jalapeños in a single layer and cook at 325°F for 10-12 minutes.
Jalapeno Poppers with Bacon are not overly spicy and make a great appetizer or side dish for potlucks and parties. You’ll love the crispy bacon in the creamy filling. These appetizers are always the first to go!
Jalapeno Poppers
Ingredients
- 5 slices bacon, regular-cut
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup medium cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup chives, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 lb jalapeño peppers, about 12-14 jalapenos
- 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tsp unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Cook the bacon slices in a large skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes on each side. When crispy and browned, transfer the slices to a paper towel-lined plate and cool. (Reserve 2 tsp of rendered bacon fat, if desired, to replace the butter in the final step) Chop the bacon and set it aside. Preheat the oven with a rack in the center to 400°F.
- Make the filling – Use a medium bowl and a fork to mash the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, chives, garlic, salt and pepper until combined.
- Slice the jalapeños lengthwise in half and use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and membrane. *I recommend using kitchen gloves.
- Stuff the jalapeños with the cream cheese mixtures until the filling is level with the sides of the pepper, and be careful not to overfill. Arrange the peppers on a lined baking sheet in a single layer.
- Make the topping – Combine the panko with the melted butter (or the rendered fat) in another medium bowl. When the crumbs are all moistened, stir in the chopped bacon bits, and then spoon 1 tsp of the mixture over each stuffed pepper.
- Bake the stuffed jalapeños for 17-20 minutes in a 400°F oven until they are tender and the panko topping is crispy and browned. Remove the peppers from the oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chives and serve warm or room temperature.
Notes
- To Refrigerate: Store baked and cooled jalapeno poppers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- To Reheat: Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 350°F. In the oven, they should take 10-15 minutes, in the air fryer, about 8-10 minutes. Microwaved poppers will not be as crispy.
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
More Appetizer Recipes
If you love these bacon-stuffed jalapeno poppers, then you won’t want to miss these other easy-to-make appetizer recipes:
- Charcuterie Board
- Cowboy Caviar
- Pico De Gallo
- Baked Chicken Wings
- Teriyaki Meatballs
- Grape Jelly Meatballs
- Taquitos Recipe
These were delicious! I could have eaten the whole batch by myself!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
I have been doing this recipe for years but I add grated cheese to the cream cheese mix and then I add dill weed in as well. The rest of the recipe is the same. Everyone loves them! 😁👍
Aren’t they so good! I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe, Tim!
These jalapeño poppers are the best! Made them for a party and they didn’t last 5 minutes, now make them at home for a weekend snack for the family!
That is awesome, Liz! I’m happy to hear that, thank you for your good feedback!
They are great done on a gas grill
Yes! Thank you so much for sharing that with me!
Absolutely scrumptious! My husband loves finger foods and we’ve been enjoying your pizza dough recipe with lots of different toppings. After we saw the Jalapeno Poppers, I knew I had to give them a try! They were a big hit. Not too spicy but so full of flavor. Thanks again for another wonderful recipe.
Fantastic review! Thank you for sharing that with us, Valerie.
Hi wondering if you have or thought of creating a cookbook, be a go to for many 💙 Your recipes tried and true!Thank You ❤️🇨🇦
Hello Faye, I am currently working on a cookbook. I’ll definitely share it with everyone when it’s done!
i want one of your cook books cant wait anna i made your butter crust apple pie it was delicious all your recipes are easy and true and so good, im 74 and the first pie i ever made, i have made alot of your recipes because i know they will turn out and be good thanks so much
I am already working on a cookbook, thanks for patiently waiting! I hope you’ll love every recipe that you will try.
SO TRUE WISH YOU WOULD CREATE A COOK BOOK ALSO, NATASHA, I LOVE ALL OF YOUR RECIPES AND HAVE MADE ALOT ALWAYS SO PERFECT, NEVER FAIL AND LOVE THE WAY YOU EXPLAIN INSTRUCTIONS SO GOOD, PIE DOUGH, APPLE,ECT. FIRST TIME I EVER MADE DOUGH OR A PIE AND I’M 74 LOL, TRYING THE POPPERS RIGHT NOW, LOVE, LOVE YOUR RECIPES AND LOVE WATCHING YOU MAKE EVERYTHING,YOU ARE SO CUTE AND FUNNY AND ENTERTAINING, THANKS I’M JUDY FROM OHIO
I’m working on it, Judy. I hope you’ll love all the recipes that you will try!
By the directions you’ve got it listed twice to bake these?
Hi Nancy, thank you so much for pointing that out. I have updated it.
Made these tonight and they turned out so delicious! Followed the recipe except I had the smoker going with a chunk of mesquite in it so threw them in. Wow great flavor will make again. Wanting to try the chicken lasagna next.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Made these poppers for the football weekend, fantastic. Bacon into the mixture great idea, no more wrapping. John
That’s nice to know. I’m glad you liked it, thanks for sharing!
Made these for football day and what a hit!!! YUM!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Can you do a red velvet cupcake or cake
Hi Hana, I have that on my to-do list. Thank you for the request.
Did you see that she has a red velvet cake? I saw a video for it.
Hi natasha can you try turkish simit and I hope my suggestion and do it in a video
I will have to look that up. Thank you for the suggestion.
HI NATASHA, COULD YOU MAKE A ROAST THAT IS A BEEF ROAST WITH A PORK ROAST ON TOP, SOMEONE TOLD ME THERE GRANDMOTHER ALWAYS MADE THIS AND IT IS CALLED LION ROAST, AND SO FLAVORFUL AND MAKES THE GRAVY SO GOOD, SOUNDS GOOD, HOPE YOU MAKE IT SOME TIME ON A VIDEO, THANK YOU JUDY FROM OHIO
Thanks for your suggestion, Judy. I’ll take note of that. In the meantime, you may check out my Roasted Beef Tenderloin recipe.
I wonder if it’s really spicy?
Hi Oksana, it really depends on the jalapenos. Some are spicy and sometimes they are very mild. Most of the ones at the grocery store are fairly mild-moderate spiciness. Also, baking removes some of the spiciness and if you want less spice, be sure to remove and scrape out the seeds and the white stuff inside the jalapenos.
I use an apple corer to clean the pepper cores
That is a great idea. Thanks for sharing!
Ive been making these for years! I include some cumin, chili powder, some homemade spicy chili powder. For ease, i use bacon pieces (for salads) and also mix in shredded cheese into the mixture. After I fill the peppers I sprinkle any leftover bacon and shred cheese on top.
Yum! Thank you so much for sharing that with us, Rose!
I normally wrap them in bacon. If I do it this way not so much bacon and looks so much easier. Thanks for the recipe.
You’re welcome! I hope you love this recipe!
Can’t wait to try this recipe. Looks yummy and nutritious!
Thank you Teresa! I hope you love this jalapeno appetizer.
Natasha you are the best cook I know I have never been disappointed in any recipe I’ve tried I love to watch you and you are very intertaining also so cute, I made your butter pie crust and the first time I ever made a pie crust and I’m 74 years old, and loved it, thank you so much for sharing your recipes, I have learned so much from you!!!!! don’t stop ever your friend anna…..
Awww thank you for that wonderful feedback. Thank you so much Anna!
Looks so delicious! Can’t wait to try this one with my family.
Hi Katie, please try! I hope this becomes your new favorite at home.
Super delicious! Perfect appetizer for game day! The guys are going to LOVE these for the Super Bowl!
Hi Betsy, that sounds fun! I hope these will become a hit and your new favorite at home!
We have made this for decades with bacon and wrapped around them but after seeing your recipe this looks much more tastier have all the ingredients going to make them Today 🙂 we made so many of your recipes the truth is we like 99% of them Thank you so much ❤️
Thank you for that wonderful feedback! I hope you give this a try soon! It is so so good!
Gave these a try with dinner and they did not disappoint! Loved all the flavor with a kick! Easily, a new favorite!
Thank you so much for your great review, Sara! I’m glad you loved this recipe.
Looks delicious! I’ve tried these before except that I didn’t put bacon. I bet they’d taste amazing with it!
Also, an of topic question, are there gonna be bloopers this year?
Thank you Anna! I hope you try these jalapeno poppers with the bacon in them also. We are working on a bloopers video and hopefully will have one posted next week. I’m glad you enjoy those.