Ah, jalapeño poppers—those little bundles of joy wrapped in the crispy embrace of bacon. It’s like the universe decided to combine spice, salt, and that irresistible smoky flavor in one bite, and honestly, who are we to question such genius? Last weekend, I whipped up a batch for my friends at a backyard barbecue, and just like Taylor Swift’s latest album, they were a total hit—gone faster than you can say “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
Steps
- Prepare the filling by mixing equal parts of cream cheese and shredded Cheddar cheese until smooth.
- Wearing gloves, cut the jalapeños in half and remove the seeds and membranes. Fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture and reassemble the halves.
- Wrap each jalapeño with a slice of bacon, ensuring it is completely covered.
- Cook the bacon-wrapped jalapeños in a preheated oven at 400°F until the bacon is crispy, about 25-35 minutes.
Ingredients
- 8 jalapeños, halved and seeds removed
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 4 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
- 8 slices of bacon
FAQ
- How long should I cook bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers?
- In an oven set to 400°F, cook the jalapeño poppers for 25-35 minutes until the bacon is crispy.
- Can I prepare jalapeño poppers in advance?
- Yes, these poppers can be prepared ahead of time. Stuff and wrap them with bacon, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Bake them right before serving.
- What is the best way to store leftover jalapeño poppers?
- Store any remaining cooked jalapeño poppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Freezing is not recommended, as it may affect the texture of the cream cheese filling.
- What precautions should I take when handling jalapeños?
- It’s advisable to wear food-grade gloves while removing the seeds and membranes from jalapeños to avoid skin irritation or burning.
- Can I customize the jalapeño popper filling?
- Yes, you can customize the filling. Some people add bacon bits to the cream cheese-Cheddar mixture or top the poppers with extra shredded Cheddar before baking.
Tips
- Wear food-grade gloves when handling jalapeños to prevent the seeds and membranes from irritating your skin.
- Consider adding bacon bits to the cream cheese-Cheddar filling for extra flavor, and sprinkle additional shredded Cheddar on top of each jalapeño half before wrapping them with bacon.
- To achieve a perfectly crispy finish, broil the poppers for 3-5 minutes after baking.
- Prepare the poppers ahead of time by stuffing and wrapping them, then refrigerate until you’re ready to bake and serve.
Equipment
- wrapped jalapeño poppers if you don’t already have them at home:
- Food-Grade Gloves – To safely handle and deseed the jalapeños without irritating your skin.
- Baking Sheet – For cooking the poppers in the oven.
- Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat – To line the baking sheet and prevent sticking.
- Mixing Bowl – For combining the cream cheese and shredded Cheddar cheese filling.
