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Tex-Mex

Jalapeño Bacon Poppers

Spicy jalapeño halves stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped in crispy bacon

hot_biteEasyTex-Mex
Prep25 minCook30 minTotal55 minServes24Temphot
✓ gluten-free✓ keto✓ low-carb
⚠ Contains: 🥛 Dairy
Recipe
Ingredients
  • 12jalapeño peppers(medium-large)
  • 8 ozcream cheese(softened)
  • 1 cupshredded cheddar
  • 0.5 tspgarlic powder
  • 0.5 tsponion powder
  • 12 slicesbacon(thin-cut)
  • ranch dressing(for dipping)
Make Ahead

Can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead. Add 5 minutes to baking time if cold from refrigerator.

Instructions
  1. 1Preheat oven to 400°F and place wire rack on baking sheet
  2. 2Halve jalapeños lengthwise and remove seeds and membranes - wear gloves
  3. 3Mix cream cheese, cheddar, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth
  4. 4Fill each jalapeño half generously with cheese mixture
  5. 5Cut bacon slices in half crosswise
  6. 6Wrap each stuffed jalapeño with bacon half, securing with toothpick
  7. 7Arrange on rack, cheese side up
  8. 8Bake 25-30 minutes until bacon is crispy and filling is bubbling
  9. 9Let cool 5 minutes - filling will be very hot
  10. 10Serve with ranch for dipping
Notes
Pro Tips

Wear gloves - jalapeño oil burns. Remove all seeds and membranes for milder heat, leave some for spicier poppers. Thin-cut bacon crisps better than thick. The rack elevates poppers so bacon crisps all around. Let cool slightly before eating - the filling is molten hot.

History & Origin

Jalapeño poppers evolved from Tex-Mex bar food in the 1980s, likely inspired by Mexican chiles rellenos. The bacon-wrapped version adds smoky richness and became a game day favorite in the 1990s. They deliver the perfect combination of heat, creaminess, and crunch in every bite.

Cocktail Pairings
Pairs Well With
beertequilabourbonmargarita
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Tex-Mex◆Easy