Jalapeño Poppers – Easy Cheesy Bacon Appetizer Recipe

Introduction

These Jalapeño Poppers are the perfect combination of creamy, cheesy, smoky, and spicy. Fresh jalapeños are filled with a rich mixture of cream cheese, cheddar, chives, and garlic, then topped with crispy bacon and buttery panko breadcrumbs.

Baked until the peppers are tender and the topping is golden and crunchy, these easy homemade jalapeño poppers make a delicious appetizer for parties, game days, holidays, or anytime you need a crowd-pleasing snack.

Ingredients

• 5 slices regular-cut bacon
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup shredded medium cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup chopped chives
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pound jalapeño peppers, about 12–14 jalapeños
• ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 teaspoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

1. Cook the Bacon

Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat for about 3 minutes per side, until crispy and browned.

Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and allow it to cool. Chop into small pieces and set aside.

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Make the Creamy Filling

In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped chives, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper.

Mix until everything is well combined.

3. Prepare the Jalapeños

Slice the jalapeños in half lengthwise.

Use a spoon to carefully remove the seeds and membranes. Wearing kitchen gloves is recommended when handling jalapeños.

4. Fill the Peppers

Fill each jalapeño half with the cream cheese mixture, keeping the filling level with the sides of the pepper.

Arrange the stuffed jalapeños in a single layer on a lined baking sheet.

5. Make the Crispy Topping

In another bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with the melted butter.

Stir until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated, then mix in the chopped bacon.

Spoon approximately 1 teaspoon of the breadcrumb mixture over each stuffed jalapeño.

6. Bake

Bake for 17–20 minutes, until the jalapeños are tender and the panko topping is crispy and golden brown.

Remove from the oven and allow the poppers to rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

7. Serve

Garnish with additional chopped chives if desired and serve warm or at room temperature.

Conclusion

These crispy baked Jalapeño Poppers are creamy, cheesy, smoky, and packed with flavor. With a crunchy bacon-panko topping and a rich cream cheese filling, they are an easy appetizer that is sure to disappear fast!