Description
Easy bacon jalapeño poppers are a quick and healthy appetizer for beginners, featuring creamy cheese, crispy bacon, and a mild kick of heat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 jalapeños, halved and seeded
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 3 tbsp green onion, chopped
- 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
- 6 oz bacon, cooked and chopped
- Optional: Parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and chop when cooled.
- In a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, garlic, salt, pepper, green onion, shredded cheddar, and chopped bacon until well combined.
- Wearing gloves, slice the jalapeños in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and membranes with a spoon.
- Stuff each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture, leveling it with the edges but not overfilling.
- Arrange the stuffed jalapeños on the baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Wear gloves when handling jalapeños to prevent skin irritation.
- Use baby bell peppers for a milder, kid-friendly version.
- Add panko breadcrumbs mixed with butter for a crunchy topping.
- Freeze before or after baking for easy make-ahead appetizers.
- Reheat in the oven or air fryer for best texture; avoid microwaving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 poppers
- Calories: 143
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 30mg