Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Popper Bites
These crispy bacon-wrapped jalapeño popper bites combine smoky bacon, creamy cheese filling, and a spicy kick for a quick and crowd-pleasing appetizer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 bites (12 jalapeños halved) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 fresh medium-sized jalapeño peppers, halved and seeded
- 8 oz (225 g) full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (50 g) sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 12 thin-cut bacon slices, halved
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top if available.
- Slice each jalapeño in half lengthwise and remove seeds and membranes. Pat dry with a paper towel.
- In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth.
- Fill each jalapeño half with about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture.
- Wrap each filled jalapeño half tightly with half a slice of bacon. Secure with a toothpick if needed.
- Arrange the poppers on the wire rack or directly on the foil-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, checking at 15 minutes to turn each popper with tongs for even crisping. Bacon should be golden and crispy, filling bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use thin-cut bacon for best crispiness. If you don’t have a wire rack, flip poppers halfway through baking. Wear gloves when handling jalapeños to avoid irritation. Let poppers rest 5 minutes after baking to set filling. For less heat, remove all seeds and membranes or soak jalapeños in cold water for 30 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3-4 bites
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 16.5
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 9
Keywords: bacon-wrapped, jalapeño poppers, appetizer, spicy, creamy, easy recipe, party food, crowd-pleaser