Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
These crispy bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers are filled with a creamy blend of cream cheese and sharp cheddar, delivering a perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and creamy flavors. Easy to prepare and perfect for parties or game days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 medium fresh jalapeños, washed and halved lengthwise, seeds removed
- 8 ounces (225g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (50g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 12 thin slices bacon
- Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: chopped green onions or fresh cilantro for garnish or mixing into filling
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top if available.
- Slice each jalapeño in half lengthwise and carefully remove the seeds and membranes. Wear gloves if sensitive to spice.
- In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and well blended.
- Fill each jalapeño half generously with the cheese mixture using a spoon or small scoop.
- Wrap each stuffed jalapeño half with one slice of bacon, starting at one end and wrapping tightly. Secure with a toothpick if needed.
- Place the poppers seam-side down on the wire rack over the baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until bacon is crispy and golden and cheese filling is bubbly. Cover loosely with foil if bacon browns too quickly.
- Let the poppers cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow filling to firm up.
Notes
For crispier bacon, use a wire rack to allow air circulation. Soften cream cheese at room temperature before mixing to avoid spillage during baking. Wear gloves when handling jalapeños to prevent irritation. You can partially cook bacon before wrapping to reduce baking time, but wrapping raw bacon yields better texture. If no wire rack is available, flip poppers halfway through baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bacon-wrapped jala
- Calories: 130
- Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 5
Keywords: jalapeño poppers, bacon-wrapped, appetizer, party food, game day snack, creamy, spicy, easy recipe