Description
The Best Jalapeño Poppers are crispy, cheesy, bacon-filled appetizers with a crunchy golden coating and the perfect spicy kick. They’re ideal for game day, parties, holidays, or anytime you’re craving a crowd-pleasing snack.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 fresh jalapeños
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 3 oz bacon bits (or 6 slices cooked bacon, chopped)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp chives, chopped
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 quarts frying oil
Instructions
- Wash and dry the jalapeños. Slice lengthwise and remove seeds and membranes.
- Preheat oil to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, and chives in a bowl.
- Fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture.
- Mix paprika into the breadcrumbs.
- Dip stuffed jalapeños into milk, then flour.
- Let dry for 10 minutes.
- Dip again into milk and coat with seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Refrigerate for 15 minutes to set the coating.
- Deep-fry in batches for about 3 minutes or until golden brown.
- Transfer to paper towels and cool for 5 minutes.
- Serve warm.
Notes
Remove all seeds and membranes for a milder flavor.
Chilling before frying helps prevent the cheese from leaking out.
For extra heat, leave some membranes intact.
Can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before frying.
Serve with ranch, salsa, or tzatziki sauce.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Deep Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 popper halves
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 55mg