I love these creamy, slightly spicy little flavor bombs packed with smoky bacon and cheese. Whether you're looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer, a savory side dish, or—if you're like me—an entire meal on their own, these jalapeño poppers are guaranteed to deliver.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Perfect Balance of Creamy & Spicy: The richness of the cream cheese and sharpness of the cheddar perfectly complement the heat of the jalapeños.
- Smoky Bacon Goodness: Everything’s better with bacon! The crisp, smoky flavor of bacon adds a whole new dimension to these poppers.
- Easy to Make, Hard to Resist: With minimal prep, these poppers are simple to whip up, but they pack in so much flavor that they'll disappear just as quickly!
- Keto Friendly & Gluten Free: There's no added breading in this recipe making it perfect if you're trying to avoid carbs or gluten.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 6-8 fresh jalapeños
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4c crispy cooked KHM bacon, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven or air fryer to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. If it's summer time, go ahead and make them on the grill.
- Prepare the jalapeños: Cut Jalapeños in half & scoop out seeds and membrane with a spoon. (leave some if you like it hot🔥)
- Mix the filling: In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, cheddar cheese, chopped bacon, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until combined.
- Fill the jalapeños: Spoon the cheesy bacon mixture into each jalapeño half, pressing the filling down to ensure it’s snugly packed.
- Bake: Place the stuffed jalapeños on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the jalapeños are tender and the cheese filling is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish & serve: Let the poppers cool slightly. Serve warm and enjoy!
Tips for Success:
- Crispy Bacon Hack: To get bacon extra crispy, cook it in the oven on a foil-lined tray. When it's almost finished, remove from the oven and tilt one end up to drain the grease.
- Save some $: Our KHM Bacon Pieces are perfect for this. Chop them first and then cook them up to your desired crispness.
- Make it ahead: You can prep the poppers ahead of time and refrigerate them before baking. Perfect for a party or game day!
- Exra Filling: Place extra filling in a plastic bag or container. It will keep a week in the refrigerator or freezes well for a month.
How to Serve:
These jalapeño poppers make a fantastic appetizer for gatherings, game nights, or holiday parties. You can also serve them as a fun side to grilled meats or alongside your favorite Mexican dishes. And if you’re like me, you’ll hope for leftovers to warm up for a quick lunch or snack tomorrow —they’re that good!
