A Game Day Favorite, Baked to Perfection.
Indulging in the perfect game day snack just got easier with these Baked Jalapeno Poppers. Imagine the irresistible combination of fresh jalapeños stuffed with a rich cream cheese mixture, topped with a crispy breadcrumb topping – all baked to perfection without the need for deep frying. Whether you're cheering for your favorite team or hosting a casual get-together, these poppers are a crowd-pleaser. I've perfected this recipe to bring you an easy and delicious appetizer that captures the essence of deep-fried goodness without the hassle.
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Ingredients
- 10 fresh jalapeno peppers, medium-sized
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
Filling:
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 4 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Topping:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup bread crumbs or panko
- 1 teaspoon salt
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Prepare the Jalapeños:
- Remove stems from the fresh jalapenos and cut each jalapeño in half lengthwise.
- Remove seeds and inner membranes using a spoon, paring knife, or melon baller.
- Lay jalapeño halves on a lightly oiled baking sheet.
- Make the Filling:
- In a small bowl, mix cream cheese, mayonnaise, and shredded cheddar cheese.
- Fill each jalapeño half with the cream cheese mixture.
- Prepare the Topping:
- Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Add bread crumbs and salt, mixing until well combined.
- Dip the cheesy side of each jalapeño into the breadcrumb mixture and place on the baking sheet.
- Freeze for 15 minutes.
- Preheat and Cook:
- Preheat your oven or air fryer to 425˚ (adjust to 400˚ if using an air fryer).
- Cook according to your method:
- Oven: 15-20 minutes
- Air fryer with basket: 10-12 minutes
- Air fryer toaster oven: 15 minutes
- Serve:
- Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before serving.
- Optional toppings and dipping sauces: green onions, chili powder, bacon pieces, blue cheese or ranch dressing, strawberry or raspberry jam.
Substitutions
- Cream cheese: Substitute cream cheese with goat cheese for a tangier flavor.
- Mayonnaise: Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lighter option.
- Cheddar Cheese: Experiment with different cheeses like pepper jack or gouda for varied taste profiles.
Variations
- Bacon-Wrapped Poppers: Precook and chop bacon into pieces, adding them to the cream cheese filling for a bacon-infused delight.
- Spicy Kick Poppers: Leave some seeds and membranes for an extra spicy version, perfect for adventurous taste buds.
- Garlic Twist Poppers: Enhance the filling by adding a teaspoon of garlic powder or onion powder for an extra flavor boost.
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Microwave-safe mixing bowl
- Small mixing bowl
- Air fryer or oven
- Pairing knife
- Spoon
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They can be reheated or enjoyed cold.
Top tip
To make cleanup easier, lay parchment paper or aluminum foil down before adding oil. Double the recipe for a larger batch, and ensure all white membranes and seeds are removed for a milder flavor.
FAQ
Yes, you can prepare them up to the freezing step and store them in the freezer. Cook as needed, adding a few extra minutes to account for the frozen state.tion for your primary keyword, and answer them here
To mellow the heat, ensure all seeds and membranes are removed. For those who love spice, leave some intact or add a sprinkle of chili powder.
Absolutely! Experiment with your favorite cheeses to customize the flavor. Pepper jack, gouda, or even goat cheese can add unique twists.
Baked Jalapeño Poppers - The Best Air Fryer Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Oven, Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 10 fresh jalapeno peppers medium-sized
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
Filling:
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 4 oz sharp cheddar cheese shredded,
Topping:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup bread crumbs or panko
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Remove stems from the fresh jalapenos. Then cut each jalapeño in half, lengthwise. Remove the seeds and inner membranes; use a spoon, paring knife, or melon baller for easy removal. (You can also leave the seeds and membrane if you want your popper to be HOT!) Lay jalapeño peppers in a single layer on a lightly oiled baking sheet and set aside.
- In a small bowl, add the filling ingredients to make your cream cheese mixture. Take a small spoon, grab a scoop of the cheesy filling, place into the open half of the jalapeño and place it back on the baking sheet. Continue with the remaining jalapeños until the rich cream cheese filling is evenly distributed among the jalapeño pepper halves.
- Place the butter into a microwave-safe small mixing bowl and microwave for 30 seconds (if the butter isn't fully melted, continue cooking in 15-second increments until it has melted). Add the bread crumbs and salt and mix until butter is well combined with the bread crumbs.
- Take each jalapeno half and dip the cheesy side into the bread crumbs, pressing down gently to get the bread crumbs to adhere to the softened cream cheese mixture. Place the cheesy side up on the lightly oiled baking sheet. Place in your freezer for 15 minutes.
- While your poppers are in the freezer, preheat your oven or air fryer to 425˚. If your air-fryer only heat to 400˚, then use that temperature.
- After 15 minutes, remove the poppers from the freezer and place them into your preheated oven or air-fryer.
Oven:
- cook for 15-20 minutes
Air fryer with basket:
- cook for 10-12 minutes
Air fryer toaster oven:
- cook for 15 minutes
- Cook until the jalapeños have softened and the crispy topping is golden brown.
- Remove poppers from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before serving.
Optional toppings and dipping sauce ideas:
- green onions, sprinkle of chili powder, bacon pieces or bacon crumbles, blue cheese dressing, ranch dressing, or my personal favorite strawberry or raspberry jam.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They can be reheated or enjoyed cold.
Video
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Food safety
- Use disposable gloves when handling jalapeños to avoid irritation.
- Clean and wash hands thoroughly, or use olive oil before washing to remove jalapeño oils.
- Ensure the jalapeños are thoroughly cooked to soften and eliminate any potential bacteria.
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