Description
Spicy jalapeños stuffed with a creamy mix of bacon, cream cheese, and cheddar, topped with a crunchy panko crust. Perfect for parties, these baked poppers offer a gooey center and flavorful contrast that’s hard to resist.
Ingredients
12 jalapeños, 3″ long, halved and deseeded
150g non-smoked bacon (like Canadian bacon), crumbled
250g cream cheese, at room temperature
1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup green onion, finely sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/8 tsp salt (for toasting panko)
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp paprika
Instructions
Place the unheated non-stick pan with the crumbled bacon in it. Heat on medium until the fat begins to sizzle. Cook for 2 minutes per side until golden, then drain on paper towels and cool before crumbling.
In the same pan, add olive oil to reach 2 tablespoons of fat. Heat on medium and add the panko and 1/8 tsp salt. Toast for 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden. Transfer to a bowl and cool.
Preheat the oven to 200°C (375°F). Line a baking tray with foil and a rack for even heating.
In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar, green onion, garlic, paprika, black pepper, and 3/4 of the crumbled bacon. Mix until well combined.
Spoon the mixture into the jalapeño halves, mounding slightly. Top each with a dollop of shredded cheddar and a generous layer of panko.
Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden, caramelized, and the jalapeños begin to soften.
After baking, remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining crumbled bacon and green onions over the poppers.
Serve on parchment-lined platters for easy cleanup.
Notes
To avoid any overflow during baking, fill the jalapeños just below the rim. For best results, use pan drippings from the bacon instead of adding extra oil to the panko.
If you prefer, replace bacon with a smoky, meaty substitute (e.g., grilled tofu or halal-friendly crumbled sausage).
Serve with a side of ranch or spicy mayo for dipping.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American/California
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popper
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 25mg