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Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers Easy Recipe with Creamy Cheese Filling

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These crispy bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers feature a creamy cheese filling with a hint of garlic and smoked paprika, delivering a perfect balance of spicy, creamy, and crunchy flavors. Ready in under 30 minutes, they make a crowd-pleasing snack or appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 medium fresh jalapeños, firm and bright green
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (about 100 grams) shredded cheddar cheese, sharp or mild
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 12 slices cooked bacon, cut in half (recommend thick-cut bacon)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: chopped fresh cilantro or green onions for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil to catch drips.
  2. Wearing gloves or washing hands thoroughly after, slice each jalapeño in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and membranes. Remove all membranes for less heat or leave some for spicier poppers.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and well incorporated.
  4. Spoon the cheese mixture into each jalapeño half, mounding slightly above the edges.
  5. Wrap each filled jalapeño half with half a slice of bacon, securing with a toothpick if necessary.
  6. Arrange the bacon-wrapped jalapeños on the prepared baking sheet with space between each.
  7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until bacon is crispy and cheese is bubbly. Optionally broil for 1-2 minutes at the end to crisp bacon further, watching closely to avoid burning.
  8. Let the poppers cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before serving.

Notes

Wear gloves when handling jalapeños to avoid skin irritation. Use thick-cut bacon for best crispiness. If bacon isn’t crisping well, broil for last 1-2 minutes watching carefully. Leftovers keep well refrigerated up to 3 days and reheat best in oven to maintain crispiness. Variations include using turkey bacon, prosciutto, or vegetarian wraps like grilled zucchini or eggplant.

Nutrition

Keywords: jalapeño poppers, bacon-wrapped, cream cheese filling, spicy appetizer, party snack, easy recipe

Find it online: https://katedishes.com/crispy-bacon-wrapped-jalape-n-o-poppers-easy-recipe-with-creamy-cheese-filling/