Ultimate Jalapeño Cheddar Poppers
These Ultimate Jalapeño Cheddar Poppers are a crowd-pleasing appetizer that combines the creamy richness of cheese with a savory crunch. Stuffed with a blend of tangy, sharp, and creamy cheeses, and complemented by crumbled bacon, these treat-sized bites are irresistibly delicious. Perfect for game night, parties, or any gathering, they can be customized to suit your spice preference by adjusting the amount of seeds you leave in the jalapeños. Make them spicy for the heat lovers or tone it down for milder palates. Serve these poppers with a side of cool ranch dressing for dipping, and watch them disappear in no time!
12
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
cream cheese
8 ounces (softened)
sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup (shredded)
Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup (shredded)
bacon
6 slices (cooked and crumbled)
salt
1/4 teaspoon
chili powder
1/4 teaspoon
garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon
fresh jalapeños
1 lb (halved lengthwise and seeded)
dry breadcrumbs
1/2 cup
ranch dip or salad dressing
(for serving)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, crumbled bacon, salt, chili powder, and garlic powder. Mix until well blended and creamy.
3
Take each halved jalapeño and spoon approximately 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture into each pepper half, packing it lightly.
4
Roll the stuffed jalapeños in the dry breadcrumbs, ensuring they are evenly coated for a crispy texture.
5
Place the stuffed jalapeños on a sheet pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray, ensuring they are spaced generously apart.
6
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes for a spicy kick, 30 minutes for a medium flavor, or up to 40 minutes for a mild taste. The longer you bake, the less spicy they will become.
7
Once done, remove from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy with ranch dressing on the side for dipping!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Ultimate Jalapeño Cheddar Poppers?
Ultimate Jalapeño Cheddar Poppers are an appetizer featuring jalapeños stuffed with a blend of cream cheese, cheddar, Monterey Jack, and bacon, finished with a breadcrumb crust.
What types of cheese are used in the filling?
The recipe uses a combination of softened cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
How do I adjust the spiciness of the poppers?
You can control the heat by adjusting the amount of seeds left in the peppers and varying the baking time; longer baking reduces the spice level.
At what temperature should the oven be set?
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) before baking the poppers.
How long should I bake them for a spicy kick?
Bake the poppers for 20 minutes if you prefer a spicier flavor.
How long do I bake them for a medium flavor?
For a medium spice level, bake the stuffed jalapeños for 30 minutes.
How long should I bake them to make them mild?
For a mild taste, bake the poppers for up to 40 minutes as the heat dissipates with longer cooking.
What seasonings are added to the cheese mixture?
The cheese mixture is seasoned with salt, chili powder, and garlic powder.
How is the bacon prepared for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 6 slices of bacon that have been cooked and crumbled before being mixed into the filling.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to yield approximately 12 servings.
How should I prepare the jalapeños?
The jalapeños should be halved lengthwise and seeded before stuffing.
What is the purpose of the breadcrumbs?
Rolling the stuffed jalapeños in dry breadcrumbs provides a crispy texture after baking.
What is the recommended dipping sauce?
The recipe suggests serving the poppers with a side of cool ranch dressing or ranch dip.
How much filling goes into each jalapeño half?
Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons of the cheese and bacon mixture into each pepper half.
Do I need to grease the baking sheet?
Yes, the instructions recommend using a sheet pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
Should the cream cheese be cold?
No, the cream cheese should be softened to ensure it mixes easily with the other ingredients.
How should the poppers be arranged on the pan?
Place the stuffed jalapeños on the sheet pan ensuring they are spaced generously apart.
Can I make these poppers vegetarian?
While the recipe includes bacon, you can omit the bacon to make them vegetarian-friendly.
What quantity of jalapeños is needed?
The recipe requires 1 lb of fresh jalapeños.
What kind of breadcrumbs should I use?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of dry breadcrumbs.
Is there a specific way to pack the cheese mixture?
When stuffing the peppers, you should pack the cheese mixture lightly into the cavity.
How much sharp cheddar is required?
You will need 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
How much Monterey Jack cheese is used?
The recipe uses 1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
How much garlic powder is used?
The recipe includes 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder for seasoning.
How much chili powder is used?
The recipe includes 1/4 teaspoon of chili powder.
How much salt is added?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
Should I let them cool before eating?
Yes, let the poppers cool for a few minutes after removing them from the oven before serving.
Are these good for game nights?
Yes, they are described as a perfect finger food for game nights, parties, or any gathering.
What is the total amount of cream cheese used?
The recipe uses one 8-ounce package of softened cream cheese.
What makes these the 'ultimate' poppers?
The combination of three types of cheese, savory bacon, and a crispy breadcrumb coating makes them stand out as a crowd favorite.