Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers

When it comes to iconic party apps, jalapeño poppers deserve a major spot in the appetizer hall of fame. In this recipe, cream cheese and shredded pepper jack are stuffed in jalapeños before being wrapped in smoky bacon (because everything is better with bacon). When cooked, the cheese gets hot and melty while the peppers mellow slightly, making every bite a perfect combo of flavors. Make these poppable bites for your Super Bowl party, and watch them disappear in no time. Here’s everything you need to know:

What People Are Saying:
“I made these today and they were amazing. Very delicious.” - OrangeCar

How To Make Jalapeño Poppers

INGREDIENTS

• Cream Cheese: Before creating your mixture, make sure you soften your cream cheese so that it’s easier to combine with your other ingredients.
• Pepper Jack: I love to use pepper jack to add even more heat, but if that’s not your thing, you can use another cheese you prefer. Looking for inspo? Check out our cranberry brie jalapeño poppers. Whatever cheese you choose, I highly recommend freshly shredding it for the best possible flavor and texture.
• Garlic: One clove of garlic is all that you need to add a bit of a savory, sharp bite to the cheese mixture.
• Jalapeños: Before stuffing your jalapeños, make sure to remove the seeds and veins.
• Bacon: I recommend using thin-sliced bacon so that it’s easier to wrap around the pepper, and it won’t overwhelm the app. Obviously I love bacon with everything, but if you've got vegetarian guests, you can totally skip it—they'll still taste amazing.
  

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Good news! You can make these bites in the oven or the air fryer. I’m going to detail how to make them in the oven, but refer to the recipe down below for the air fryer instructions. After preheating the oven to 400°, add your cream cheese, pepper jack, and minced garlic clove to a bowl. Mix well to combine, then season with salt and pepper.

Halve the jalapeños lengthwise, then remove the seeds and veins using a spoon. Grab the cream cheese mixture, and fill the jalapeños with the cheese mixture. You don’t need to overstuff them, just fill them completely. Then, wrap each pepper with a halved slice of bacon.

Place them on a baking sheet, then bake for around 35-40 minutes. You’re looking for the bacon to get crispy, and for the peppers to become tender.

The full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe below.

Recipe Tips

• Keep them upright. If you're making these poppers in the oven, bake them on a rack set inside a sheet tray or use small wads of foil to keep the poppers stable while baking.
• Can I make jalapeño poppers in the air fryer? Absolutely. These poppers are delicious in the oven or the air fryer, and I've included instructions for both in the recipe. The air fryer will cut your cooking time in half, but you'll need to bake them in batches to ensure you're cooking in single layers.
  

Make Ahead

If you want to make these ahead of your next party, prepare the filling and refrigerate until ready to use. You can also halve the jalapeños and take out the ribs and seeds beforehand. To take your prep a step further, freeze them after assembly. Freeze the assembled poppers in a single layer on a sheet tray lined with parchment paper for 4-6 hours, then transfer them to a plastic freezer bag to save space.

Storage

If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.