Game Day Jalapeno Poppers (Printable Version)
Spicy, cheesy jalapeno halves stuffed with cream cheese and cheddar, wrapped in crispy turkey bacon—perfect for game day snacking.
# What You Need:
→ Produce
01 - 8 large fresh jalapeño peppers
02 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or green onions (optional garnish)
→ Dairy & Cheese
03 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
04 - ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
→ Proteins
05 - 8 slices turkey bacon, halved crosswise
→ Seasonings
06 - ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
07 - ¼ teaspoon onion powder
08 - ⅛ teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - Salt, to taste
10 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How-To:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
02 - Wearing protective gloves, carefully halve each jalapeño pepper lengthwise. Using a small spoon, remove the seeds and white membranes for a milder flavor, or leave some for increased heat.
03 - In a medium mixing bowl, thoroughly combine softened cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth.
04 - Generously fill each prepared jalapeño half with the cheese mixture.
05 - Encase each stuffed jalapeño half with a piece of turkey bacon. Secure the bacon with a wooden toothpick if necessary to prevent unraveling during cooking.
06 - Place the assembled poppers on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring adequate space between each for even cooking.
07 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the turkey bacon is crispy and the cheese filling is bubbling and lightly golden.
08 - Allow the poppers to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped chives or green onions.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- They're deceptively simple to make, giving you more time to enjoy the game or your company.
- That perfect blend of spicy, salty, and creamy makes them utterly irresistible.
02 -
- Always, always wear gloves when handling jalapeños; the capsaicin can cause an unpleasant burn on your skin and especially your eyes.
- Make sure your cream cheese is truly softened; it makes the mixing process so much smoother and prevents lumps.
03 -
- For the crispiest bacon, try to get it as taut as possible around the jalapeño and ensure it's not too thick of a slice.
- Don't overcrowd your baking sheet; giving the poppers space allows the air to circulate, resulting in evenly cooked and crisper bacon.