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Tex-Mex

Baked Jalapeño Poppers

Roasted jalapeños filled with cream cheese and wrapped in bacon until crispy

hot_biteEasyTex-Mex
Prep20 minCook30 minTotal50 minServes24Temphot
✓ gluten-free✓ keto✓ low-carb
⚠ Contains: 🥛 Dairy
Recipe
Ingredients
  • 12jalapeños(medium-large)
  • 8 ozcream cheese(softened)
  • 4 ozsharp cheddar(finely shredded)
  • 0.25 tspgarlic powder
  • 0.25 tsponion powder
  • 12 slicesbacon(thin-cut)
Make Ahead

Can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated before baking. Add 5 minutes to baking time if cold.

Instructions
  1. 1Preheat oven to 400°F and line baking sheet with foil and wire rack
  2. 2Halve jalapeños lengthwise and remove seeds and membranes - wear gloves
  3. 3In bowl, combine cream cheese, cheddar, garlic powder, and onion powder
  4. 4Fill each jalapeño half with cheese mixture, slightly mounding
  5. 5Wrap each stuffed half with half slice of bacon, securing with toothpick if needed
  6. 6Arrange on rack, cheese side up
  7. 7Bake 25-30 minutes until bacon is crispy and filling is bubbling
  8. 8Let cool 5 minutes before serving - filling will be very hot
Notes
Pro Tips

Wear gloves when handling jalapeños - the oil can burn skin and eyes. Scrape out all seeds and membranes for milder heat, leave some for spicier poppers. Thin-cut bacon crisps better than thick-cut. Let cool slightly - the filling reaches scorching temperatures.

History & Origin

Jalapeño poppers emerged from American bar food culture in the 1980s, likely invented as a Tex-Mex bar snack. The original versions were deep-fried, but baked versions have become popular for easier home preparation. They epitomize the American love of spicy, cheesy, bacon-wrapped indulgence.

Cocktail Pairings
Pairs Well With
tequilabeerbourbon
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Tex-Mex◆Easy