Zesty Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
These Zesty Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers are the life of any party, making them a mandatory request whenever I’m invited to a gathering. Perfectly spicy yet creamy with a delightful crunch from bacon, they’re sure to please any adventurous eater. For those who prefer a milder flavor, you can easily replace jalapeños with green bell peppers. These poppers disappear quickly, so be prepared to make a double batch! Each one is a little party in your mouth!
6-8
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
jalapenos
8 (sliced in half and seeded)
cream cheese
8 ounces (softened)
bacon
16 slices
minced garlic
1 1/4 teaspoons
cumin or taco seasoning
1 teaspoon
oregano
1/2 teaspoon
fresh cilantro
3 tablespoons (chopped)
salt
1/4 teaspoon
cracked pepper
1/4 teaspoon
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, minced garlic, cumin (or taco seasoning), oregano, fresh cilantro, salt, and cracked pepper. Blend thoroughly until well mixed.
3
Carefully slice the jalapeños in half lengthwise and remove the seeds, taking care to wear gloves or rinse your hands frequently to avoid irritation from the peppers.
4
Generously fill each jalapeño half with the creamy mixture, using about 1 tablespoon per half.
5
Take a slice of bacon and wrap it around each stuffed jalapeño, tucking the ends underneath the popper. If desired, sprinkle some cracked pepper on top for added flavor.
6
Place the wrapped jalapeños on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-35 minutes, depending on your desired bacon crispiness. For an extra crispy finish, you can broil them for the last 5 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Zesty Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers?
They are a spicy, creamy, and crunchy appetizer consisting of jalapeño halves filled with a seasoned cream cheese mixture and wrapped in bacon.
How many jalapeños are required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 8 jalapeños, which are sliced in half to produce 16 poppers.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) before baking.
What is the recommended baking time for the poppers?
Bake the poppers for 25-35 minutes, depending on how crispy you want the bacon to be.
How can I make a milder version of these poppers?
For those who prefer a milder flavor, you can replace the jalapeños with green bell peppers.
What is a suitable substitute for jalapeños?
Green bell peppers are a great alternative if you want to avoid the heat of jalapeños.
Why is it recommended to wear gloves when handling peppers?
Wearing gloves helps avoid skin and eye irritation from the natural oils found in jalapeño peppers.
How should the jalapeños be prepared for filling?
Carefully slice the jalapeños in half lengthwise and remove all the seeds.
What ingredients are in the filling mixture?
The filling is made of softened cream cheese, minced garlic, cumin or taco seasoning, oregano, fresh cilantro, salt, and cracked pepper.
How much cream cheese is needed?
You will need 8 ounces of softened cream cheese for this recipe.
Can I use taco seasoning instead of cumin?
Yes, you can use 1 teaspoon of either cumin or taco seasoning based on your preference.
How much minced garlic is required?
The recipe requires 1 1/4 teaspoons of minced garlic.
What dried herbs are included in the recipe?
The recipe includes 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano.
How much fresh cilantro is used?
Use 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro in the cream cheese blend.
How many slices of bacon are necessary?
You will need 16 slices of bacon, one for each jalapeño half.
How do I wrap the bacon around the poppers?
Take a slice of bacon and wrap it around each stuffed pepper, ensuring the ends are tucked underneath.
Where should I tuck the ends of the bacon?
Tuck the ends of the bacon underneath the popper to keep it secure while baking.
Approximately how much filling goes in each pepper?
Use about 1 tablespoon of the creamy mixture to fill each jalapeño half.
What should I use to line the baking sheet?
Place the wrapped jalapeños on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
How can I achieve a crispier bacon finish?
For extra crispy bacon, you can broil the poppers for the last 5 minutes of the baking time.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields approximately 6-8 servings.
Should the jalapeño seeds be removed?
Yes, removing the seeds reduces the heat level and makes room for the cream cheese filling.
Can I add extra seasoning to the top?
Yes, you can sprinkle some extra cracked pepper on top of the bacon before baking for added flavor.
What is the flavor profile of this appetizer?
The poppers are perfectly spicy yet creamy, with a salty and crunchy finish from the bacon.
Why is it suggested to make a double batch?
These poppers disappear quickly at gatherings, so a double batch is often necessary.
How much oregano is used in the filling?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of oregano.
What are the measurements for salt and pepper in the mix?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of cracked pepper.
Is this recipe suitable for parties?
Absolutely; they are described as the life of any party and a mandatory request for gatherings.
How should the cream cheese be prepared before mixing?
The cream cheese should be softened to ensure it blends thoroughly with the other ingredients.
Are these poppers considered a good finger food?
Yes, they are an excellent finger food, snack, and appetizer for any adventurous eater.