Crispy Cheesy Bacon-Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers
These Crispy Cheesy Bacon-Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers offer a delightful blend of spicy, creamy, and savory flavors that are sure to impress at any gathering. Each jalapeño is generously stuffed with a creamy mixture of cream cheese and Monterey Jack, alongside crispy bacon bits and a touch of Emeril's Original Essence for an added punch. Battered and coated in crispy panko breadcrumbs, they're fried to golden perfection, making them the ultimate finger food. Perfect as a party appetizer, snack, or side dish, these poppers can easily be doubled for larger crowds and even frozen for later enjoyment. Serve with your favorite ranch dressing or dipping sauce to take them to the next level of flavor!
N/A
Servings
100
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Vegetable oil
for frying (None)
Large fresh jalapeño peppers
12 (Slit lengthwise and seeded if desired)
Cream cheese
4 ounces (Softened)
Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup (Grated)
Bacon
6 slices (Cooked and crumbled)
Emeril's Original Essence
1/2 teaspoon (Divided)
All-purpose flour
1/2 cup (Divided)
Milk
1/2 cup (None)
Large egg
1 (Lightly beaten)
Panko breadcrumbs
1 1/2 cups (None)
Instructions
1
Begin by filling a deep-fryer or large heavy-bottomed pot with enough vegetable oil to fill it about one-third full. Heat the oil to 370 degrees F over medium heat for frying.
2
While the oil heats, prepare the jalapeños by cutting a slit lengthwise down one side of each pepper, creating a pocket. Leave the stem intact for easy handling and remove the seeds to reduce heat if desired.
3
In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, grated Monterey Jack cheese, crumbled bacon, and 1/4 teaspoon of Emeril's Original Essence until well mixed. Transfer the mixture to a zip-top plastic bag or a piping bag, and cut off one corner of the bag to create an opening large enough for the bacon to pass through.
4
Squeeze the filling toward the bottom of the bag, then carefully fill each jalapeño with the cheese mixture, pressing the edges together to seal them closed.
5
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour, milk, and the beaten egg to create a batter. On a separate plate, combine the remaining 3 tablespoons of flour, panko breadcrumbs, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of Emeril's Original Essence, stirring them together.
6
Take each stuffed jalapeño and dip it into the milk batter, allowing any excess to drip off, then roll it in the panko mixture, pressing lightly to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere well.
7
In small batches, gently lower the coated jalapeños into the hot oil, frying until they are golden brown and crisp, approximately 1 to 2 minutes. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan.
8
Once cooked, carefully remove the jalapeño poppers from the oil and let them drain on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil. Allow them to cool slightly before serving, as the cheese inside will be extremely hot.
Nutrition Information
7g
Fat
7g
Carbs
3g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Crispy Cheesy Bacon-Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers?
They are a spicy, creamy, and savory appetizer featuring jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese, Monterey Jack, and bacon, then fried in a panko coating.
How many jalapeño peppers do I need for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 12 large fresh jalapeño peppers.
What temperature should the oil be for frying?
The vegetable oil should be heated to 370 degrees F over medium heat.
How do I prepare the peppers before stuffing them?
Cut a slit lengthwise down one side of each pepper to create a pocket, leaving the stem intact for handling.
How can I reduce the heat of the jalapeño poppers?
You can remove the seeds from the jalapeño peppers to reduce the level of spice.
What types of cheese are used in the filling?
The filling consists of 4 ounces of softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup of grated Monterey Jack cheese.
How is the bacon prepared for the stuffing?
You should use 6 slices of bacon that have been cooked and crumbled.
What is Emeril's Original Essence used for?
It is used to season both the cheese filling and the panko breadcrumb coating.
What is the easiest way to fill the jalapeños?
Transfer the mixture to a zip-top or piping bag, cut off a corner, and pipe the filling into the pepper pockets.
What ingredients are used for the batter?
The wet batter is made by whisking together 1/2 cup of flour, 1/2 cup of milk, and one lightly beaten egg.
What kind of breadcrumbs are used for the outer coating?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 cups of panko breadcrumbs for maximum crispiness.
How do I apply the panko coating?
Dip the stuffed jalapeño into the milk batter, then roll it in the panko mixture, pressing lightly to ensure it adheres.
How long do the poppers need to fry?
They should be fried in small batches for approximately 1 to 2 minutes until golden brown.
What should I do after removing the poppers from the oil?
Place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil and allow them to cool slightly.
Why should I wait before eating the poppers?
The cheese filling inside becomes extremely hot during frying and can cause burns if not allowed to cool.
Can I freeze these jalapeño poppers?
Yes, these poppers can be frozen for later enjoyment.
What is the calorie count for this recipe?
There are approximately 100 calories per serving.
How much fat is in a serving?
Each serving contains 7g of fat.
How much protein do these poppers provide?
There are 3g of protein in each serving.
What is the carbohydrate content?
Each serving contains 7g of carbohydrates.
What dipping sauce is recommended?
They are delicious when served with ranch dressing or your favorite dipping sauce.
How much vegetable oil do I need for frying?
You should fill your pot or deep-fryer about one-third full with vegetable oil.
Should the egg be beaten before adding it to the batter?
Yes, the recipe specifies using one large egg that has been lightly beaten.
How do I ensure the cheese stays inside the pepper?
Press the edges of the jalapeño slit together to seal them closed after stuffing.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, the recipe is easily doubled to accommodate larger crowds.
What is the role of flour in the coating process?
Flour is used both in the wet milk batter and mixed with panko for the dry coating.
What type of pot should I use for frying?
A deep-fryer or a large heavy-bottomed pot is recommended.
How much Emeril's Original Essence is required in total?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning, divided between the filling and the breading.
Is it okay to overcrowd the pan while frying?
No, you should fry the jalapeños in small batches and be careful not to overcrowd the pan.
What are the primary tags associated with this dish?
The dish is tagged as an appetizer, snack, party food, spicy, and cheesy.