These Jalapeño Cheddar Poppers are something special. They are crispy, bite-sized snacks that smell amazing and are baked in the oven. Every bite provides a satisfying crunch with a spicy kick and a creamy cheddar filling.
I love serving these jalapeno cheddar poppers as a snack, or I share them as party appetizers. They can be a hit with just about everyone!
This jalapeno cheddar poppers recipe is simple, easy to make, and incredibly delicious. Start by slicing open the jalapeño peppers and filling them with a creamy cheddar cheese mixture. Finally, bake them! That's it! A delightful appetizer is ready effortlessly.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe?
⭐️Spicy and Creamy Combo!
⭐️Customizable Heat!
⭐️It's baked!
Ingredients
- Jalapeno Peppers: Choose firm, free of blemishes.
- Cream Cheese: Ensure it is softened before combining.
- Cheddar Cheese melts beautifully, adds a tangy twist, and complements the jalapeño flavors.
- Garlic & Onion Powder: Half a teaspoon brings a depth of flavor.
- Breadcrumbs: I recommend using panko breadcrumbs for crunchiness.
- Butter: Use melted.
- Ground black pepper: I prefer its mild, peppery flavor to the filling.
- Smoked paprika: Add a kick to the topping.
How To Make Jalapeno Cheddar Poppers
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare the jalapeños by cutting them in half lengthwise and removing the seeds and membranes.
- Mix the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl until well combined.
- Combine panko breadcrumbs and melted butter with smoked paprika (optional) in a separate bowl.
- Stuff each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture, and dip the cheese side onto the breadcrumb mixture. Place the jalapeño halves on a lined baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and tender.
Make Ahead Ideas
- Stuff Ahead: Prepare the cheese filling a day ahead and store it in the fridge. When you're ready, stuff the peppers and bake them!
- Freeze the Raw Poppers: After stuffing, place the poppers on a baking sheet in the freezer until solid(no thawing is needed, and adjust the cooking time).
- Partial Bake: Bake them until they're done but still need to be browned. Then, freeze them following the ways mentioned earlier. When you're ready to serve, bake them for 10 minutes for crispy Jalapeño Cheddar Poppers.
♨️How To Control The Heat
This recipe is mildly hot but not overwhelmingly hot. Removing the seeds and membranes reduces the heat to a greater extent in this recipe.
You can increase the heat by tossing back the reserved seeds and the membrane.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Chill the prepped Jalapeño Cheddar Poppers for 15 minutes to keep the cheese from melting too quickly in the oven.
- Wear Gloves: Always protect your hands when handling spicy peppers.
- Spray After Half-Time: Instead of spraying the cooking oil before baking, try spraying the cooking spray halfway through for a crispier texture.
Leftovers & Reheating
The airtight containers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days and in the freezer for two months.
To reheat, bake the jalapeños in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10 minutes or until heated through and the top turned crispy.
Variations & Substitutions
- Bacon-Wrapped: After stuffing, wrap each jalapeño pepper in a slice of bacon.
- Pizza Poppers(No cream cheese): Use almond flour as a filling for no cream cheese jalapeno popper variation.
- Sweet and spicy: Drizzle honey over the stuffed jalapeños before coating them in breadcrumbs.
- Mild heat: Substitute jalapeno with mini snacking peppers for no heat.
FAQ
Do not overstuff the filling. Chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before baking, set the right temperature, and cook for the right time. Leaving them longer in the oven makes the cheese melt out of the poppers.
Ranch dressing, aioli sauce, sour cream, and blue cheese dip are popular pairing dishes.
Absolutely! Set the air fryer to 370°F and cook Jalapeño Cheddar Poppers for about 8 minutes until golden and crispy.
Grilled chicken, BBQ ribs, or fries pair perfectly with the cheesy jalapeño poppers. Cool salads and coleslaw balance out the spiciness. Enjoy with fresh pineapple pico de gallo for a refreshing touch.
More Jalapeno Pepper Ideas.....
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know your thoughts in the 📝 comments section below the recipe.
📖 Recipe
Jalapeño Cheddar Poppers
Ingredients
- 12 jalapeño peppers halved lengthwise and seeds removed
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut the jalapeños in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and membranes.
- In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with smoked paprika, if using.
- Stuff each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture.
- Dip the cheese side of each jalapeño half onto the breadcrumb mixture.
- Place the jalapeño halves, cheese side up, on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and the peppers are tender.
- And Serve immediately with a dipping sauce.
Vicky says
These Jalapeno Cheddar Poppers were an absolute hit! The perfect blend of spicy jalapenos and gooey cheddar – a must-try for anyone looking for a yummy appetizer.
Elisa says
Love this Jalapeno Cheddar Poppers recipe, we love jalapeños poppers and this is a different way to make them and I will make them soon. Looks delicious!!! Thanks for sharing 🙂