Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
Crunchy bacon wrapped around jalapeños filled with a creamy mixture of cream cheese and sharp cheddar, baked to perfection for a smoky, creamy, and spicy snack.
- 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 fresh jalapeños, halved and deseeded
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 12 slices thin-cut bacon
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Wearing gloves, slice each jalapeño in half lengthwise and remove seeds and membranes.
- In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture, smoothing the top evenly.
- Partially cook bacon slices in the microwave on high for 1 to 1.5 minutes to soften.
- Wrap each filled jalapeño half tightly with a slice of softened bacon; secure with a toothpick if needed.
- Place wrapped poppers on a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet to catch drips.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, turning once halfway through for even crispness, until bacon is deep golden and crackly and cheese is bubbling.
- Let poppers cool for 5 minutes before serving; garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley if desired.
Notes
Partially cooking the bacon before wrapping is essential to prevent sogginess and ensure crispiness. Using a wire rack promotes even heat circulation for crisp bacon. Let poppers cool before eating to avoid burns from hot cheese filling. For less heat, remove all seeds or substitute mini sweet peppers. For dairy-free, use plant-based cream cheese and turkey bacon.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popper
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 0.5
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Fiber: 0.3
- Protein: 5
Keywords: jalapeño poppers, bacon wrapped, cream cheese, appetizer, snack, party food, easy recipe, spicy snack