Every party needs a platter of Cream Cheese Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers! This is one of my favorite recipes to bring to gatherings and game nights. They’re always a favorite!
You know how all the cooks in the family have a dish that they’re known for? Dishes and desserts with names like “Granny’s chili”, or “Aunt Susan’s famous fudge”?
Are you on the hunt for a recipe you can share with your family that’ll have them clapping for you like you’re Martha Stewart? Look no further my friends… your search ends here! These Cream Cheese Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers pack a punch of flavor, and they’re guaranteed to please any group you share them with.
These Cream Cheese Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers are always a popular request at any of our family events. There will always be room for them on the table at any sports event or family BBQ.
The amount of spice you like will determine what variety of peppers you use. We primarily stick with jalapeños, but once in a while we will incorporate a spicy pepper like these red Fresno chili’s. Whoa mama! HOT! Let me warn you, any time you’re working with peppers you need to take caution. There are a few steps to follow to ensure your safety. Yes, safety!
How can I protect myself while working with peppers?
- Use safety glasses. This might sound comical and totally unnecessary, but trust me when I say, you DO NOT want to be hit in they eye with jalapeno juice. Wearing glasses protects your eyes and ensures your safely during the process of “gutting” the peppers.
- Consider gloves. Wearing a clean pair of rubber household gloves protects your hands from the heat of the peppers as well has ensuring that you won’t spread that heat (juice) to your face or eyes after you’ve cut the peppers. Is this a requirement? No, just an optional suggestion to keep you safe around powerful peppers!
- Finish with a thorough clean up. Be sure to wipe your counter, sink, faucet and any place you’ve touched after working with the peppers.
After washing your peppers, slice them down the center and use a cookie scoop to “clean out the guts” of the pepper AKA seeds and stem.
Use a spoon to fill peppers with cream cheese filling. Then roll the filled pepper in bread crumbs. This adds great texture! Bake them to your desired heat level (20 minutes for spicy, 30 for medium heat and 40 for mild).
These stuffed jalapeño peppers are packed full of an amazing combination of flavors! 3 cheeses, bacon and lots of spices make them the appetizer to beat!
Seasonal variation for Cream Cheese Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers
Variation: I love making these adorable stuffed jalapeño mummies for Halloween or October festivities! The recipe is the same except you omit the bread crumbs and instead wrap with strips of Pillsbury Crescent dough. Brush dough lightly with egg wash. Bake at 325 for 25-30 minutes until golden. Press candy eyes into the poppers post-baking.
Cream Cheese Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers
Ingredients
- 8-10 Jalapeno peppers Fresno peppers are fun to try as well, but very spicy!
- 1 8oz cream cheese softened to room temp
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne powder
- 1/4 cup bacon bits I like Hormel
- 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs (For Gluten free, use certified
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. 2. In a medium bowl, mix together cheddar and pepper jack cheeses, cream cheese, bacon bits and spices. 3. Wash jalapenos and slice them in half. Carefully use a cookie scoop to clean out the seeds and "guts" of the pepper. The seeds and stem are what add a lot of heat to the pepper, so we want to clean them out as best we can.4. Place pepper halves on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Use a spoon to fill pepper halves with the cream cheese mixture. 5. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of bread crumbs on a plate and roll the tops of the peppers in the crumbs so that the stuffing is covered. 6. Place sheet in preheated oven and bake: 20 minutes for spicy, 30 minutes for more of a mild, soft pepper. These Jalapeno Poppers are best served hot or warm!*NOTE: Be careful any time you work with peppers to wash your hands and do not touch your eyes or other areas until your hands have been cleaned, or gloves removed.*
Other Appetizers you will love:
Want to save these halftime jalapeno poppers for your next family get together? PIN IT!
