This baked jalapeño peppers recipe is quick and easy to make, full of amazing flavor, and always a crowd fave!
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Baked Jalapeno Poppers
Ingredients
- 6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/3 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 10 jalapeño peppers, halved lengthwise and cored
Instructions
- Prep the oven and baking sheet. Preheat oven to 375°F. Mist a baking sheet with cooking spray or line with parchment.
- Cook the bacon and breadcrumbs. Fry the bacon in a large sauté pan over medium heat until crispy. Transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate and set aside. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the sauté pan, and drain off any excess. Add the Panko breadcrumbs to the pan and sauté in the bacon grease for about 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly golden. Remove from heat and transfer the breadcrumbs to a separate bowl until ready to use. Finely chop the crispy bacon.
- Mix the filling. In a medium bowl, stir together cream cheese, cheddar cheese, cilantro, chives, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and most of the chopped bacon (you want to reserve about 2 tablespoons) until evenly combined. Transfer the filling mixture to a zip-top bag, seal, then use scissors to snip off a corner to make for easy piping.
- Fill the jalapeños. Spread the jalapeño halves out in an even layer on the baking sheet. Pipe the mixture into the jalapeños until they are all evenly filled, then top each with a sprinkle of Panko.
- Bake. Bake until the filling is melty and the jalapeños have slightly softened, about 15-20 minutes.
- Serve. Transfer the pan to a wire cooling rack. Top the jalapeños with a pinch of the reserved bacon bits plus some extra chives, if you'd like. Serve warm and enjoy!
Did you make this?Let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Oh, girl, these are one of my favorite appetizers! Looks fabulous! Aggie would LOVE these!
Yum–these look delicious! Even your dog couldn’t resist trying them!
I am so excited that you made a lighter version!! These are one of my fav appetizers. YUM!
Love these lighter poppers! (And your dog’s guilty face – hysterical!)
I love jalapeno poppers, this lighter version is a fantastic idea!
These look delicious!!! Poppers are a huge hit in my house – have to try these!!!
Yum!! Yum!! These look fantastic! Love that you’ve lightened them up a bit!
I have a 4 legged photo assistant too. ;) And these jalapeño poppers are happening ASAP. Beautiful photos Ali. You even make jalapeños gorgeous. Such a sweet baby shower!
I’m so in love with these Ali!! I crave poppers, but not the guilt that goes with them usually!
Lovely photos. It’s fun being a part of this virtual baby shower with you!