Can jalapeño poppers be made in advance?

Yes! You can stuff and wrap the jalapeños with all the ingredients, then store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before you plan to cook them.

How spicy are jalapeño poppers? Can I make them less spicy?

While jalapeño peppers are naturally spicy, much of their heat comes from the seeds and membranes inside the peppers, as these parts contain the most capsaicin, which is responsible for the heat. To reduce the spiciness of jalapeño poppers, make sure to scrape all the seeds and membranes from inside the peppers. Wearing gloves during this process can protect your hands from irritation.

What is the best way to secure the bacon so the poppers stay wrapped?

While many recipes suggest using toothpicks to secure the bacon around jalapeño poppers, my recipe is designed to keep everything in place without them. By carefully wrapping the bacon according to the instructions provided, the bacon should adhere to itself and the jalapeño as it cooks, creating a snug wrap that holds the filling inside. This method not only makes preparation cleaner and easier but also ensures that you won't have to worry about removing toothpicks before serving.

Jalapeño Poppers - Once Upon a Chef

Jalapeño Poppers

By Jenn Segal

Perfect for game days and parties, these cheesy bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers combine a crispy exterior with a gooey center, making them irresistibly poppable!

Servings: 24 poppers

Prep Time: 30 Minutes

Cook Time: 30 Minutes

Total Time: 1 Hour

Ingredients

12 jalapeño peppers
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
8 ounces Mexican blend cheese, shredded (2 cups)
2 scallions, white and green parts, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro

2 teaspoons lime juice, from 1 lime
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
Big pinch salt
24 slices thin-cut bacon

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F and set one oven rack in the middle position and one in the top position. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil, then top with a wire rack; spray the wire rack with nonstick cooking spray.
Prep the jalapeños: Cut the jalapeños in half lengthwise, leaving the stem intact on one half. Using the tip of a small spoon, scoop out and discard the seeds and ribs (the ribs are where most of the heat is, so scrape them thoroughly if you have a milder palate).
Make the filling: In a medium bowl, stir the cream cheese, Mexican blend cheese, scallions, cilantro, lime juice, cumin, and salt until combined.
Stuff and wrap the jalapeño peppers: Begin by filling each jalapeño half with approximately 1 tablespoon of the cheese mixture. Once filled, wrap each half snugly with bacon. To do this effectively, start by draping the bacon over the top of the jalapeño half. Then, spiral it around the popper, ensuring all the exposed cheese filling is covered by the bacon. This method ensures the cheese remains contained during cooking and allows the bacon to achieve a crispy texture. Once wrapped, place the poppers on the prepared wire rack with the cheese side facing up.
Bake for 25 minutes, then move the baking sheet to the upper rack and turn on the broiler. Broil until the bacon is crisp on top, about 2 minutes (keep a close eye on them so they don't burn). Let cool for at least 10 minutes, then transfer to a paper napkin-lined platter (to absorb any grease) and serve warm.
Make-Ahead Instructions: You can assemble the poppers up to a day in advance and store them in a covered container in the refrigerator. Allow a few extra minutes baking time if starting from cold.

Nutrition Information

Per serving (24 servings)
Serving size: 1 popper
Calories: 169
Fat: 15 g
Saturated fat: 6 g
Carbohydrates: 1 g
Sugar: 1 g
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 7 g
Sodium: 290 mg
Cholesterol: 33 mg

Gluten-Free Adaptable Note

To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.