Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
A quick and easy appetizer featuring jalapeños stuffed with a creamy cheese filling, wrapped in crispy bacon for a perfect balance of spicy, creamy, and smoky flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 24 poppers (12 jalapeños halved) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 medium-sized fresh jalapeños, halved and seeded (leave some seeds for extra heat)
- 8 ounces (225g) cream cheese, softened
- 12 slices thin-cut bacon
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup (about 50g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set a wire rack on top if available.
- Slice each jalapeño in half lengthwise and carefully remove the seeds and membranes using a small spoon or knife. Leave some seeds if you want it spicier.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and well blended.
- Using a spoon or small scoop, fill each jalapeño half generously with the cream cheese mixture, avoiding overfilling to prevent spilling during cooking.
- Cut bacon slices in half crosswise for easier wrapping. Wrap each stuffed jalapeño half with a bacon piece, securing the ends underneath if possible.
- Place the bacon-wrapped poppers on the wire rack over the baking sheet to allow air circulation for crisping. If no rack, arrange on parchment paper.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and browned. Check after 15 minutes to avoid burning.
- Remove from oven and let the poppers rest for 5 minutes to firm up the filling.
- Sprinkle chopped chives or parsley over the top for garnish and serve warm.
Notes
Use thin-cut bacon for better crisping. If bacon curls or shrinks, secure with toothpicks or partially cook bacon before wrapping. Leaving a small gap when filling prevents overflow. Can be cooked in an air fryer at 375°F for 15 minutes, flipping halfway. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days; reheat in oven at 350°F for 10 minutes to crisp bacon again. Avoid microwaving to keep bacon crispy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1-2 poppers
- Calories: 90110
- Sugar: 0.5
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Fiber: 0.3
- Protein: 5
Keywords: jalapeño poppers, bacon wrapped, cream cheese appetizer, spicy snack, party food, easy appetizer, low carb snack