Bacon Jalapeno Poppers

Name: Bacon Jalapeno Poppers
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Ingredients: 12 Jalapeno Peppers; 8 oz Cream Cheese (softened); 1 tsp. Garlic Powder; 3 Tbsp. Green Onions (finely chopped); 1 cup Cheddar Cheese (shredded); 1/2 cup Real Bacon Bits

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Published: 05/25/2021 | Updated: 03/27/2024

Jalapeno poppers are the ultimate appetizer in my book! Filled with a creamy cheese, bacon and onion filling, I always feel like I’m indulging when I make this easy low carb snack!

Jalapeno Poppers are a perfect snack to serve when entertaining.

It doesn’t matter if I’m eating out or preparing food for company to come to our house, jalapeno poppers are always on my mind!

I’ve had so many different versions throughout the years, and none have ever disappointed. They’re creamy and cheesy with a little bit of heat to balance it out.

But they’re also amazing to make for a party because it’s so easy to prep them ahead of time. Nothing ruins a party for me faster than me still running around in the kitchen when guests are arriving. I love that I can even make these the night before and they’ll still turn out amazing!

What Ingredients Do You Need for Jalapeno Poppers?

Jalapenos- Obviously this is non-negotiable! There are other ways you can use the filling, but in order to be called jalapeno poppers, we’re gonna need to start with some jalapenos.

Cream Cheese- The cream cheese is what holds the whole filling together. Think of it like the glue that keeps the other ingredients in line. You can use regular, reduced fat or fat free. However, the regular (full fat) will have the least amount of filling melting out of the poppers. Since the other kinds have less fat, they tend to be a little runnier.

Spices- I add a little garlic powder to mine. I know others who add onion powder, chives, everything but the bagel seasoning or any other spice they prefer. I keep it simple with the garlic powder.

Cheese- I use shredded cheddar cheese and mix it right in with the filling. Others sprinkle it on top which tastes great too. The benefit of mixing it in is that I don’t lose a lot of cheese to the pieces that fall off and straight onto the baking sheet. Not really a bit deal at all… I’m just cheap!

Bacon- I used real bacon bits for this because I’m going for easy and I find they fold in better than chopped bacon. You absolutely can fry a couple strips of bacon, though, and chop that up. You also could just eliminate it altogether! OR you wrap your jalapenos in bacon! I cut each slice of bacon in half and wrap around making sure the loose pieces are on the bottom.

Onion- I use green onions chopped pretty fine because I looove onion! If you aren’t a fan of onion, you might want to leave these out because you can taste them.

Directions for Jalapeno Poppers

De-seeding Jalapenos

The first step is to prep your jalapenos. Make sure you wear gloves for this step. They are hot peppers and you don’t want to touch your face or eyes absentmindedly. So glove up!

I cut them in half lengthwise and usually leave the stem in tact. No worries if you don’t. It really doesn’t affect it at all. I just think they’re easier to hold if you leave it on.

Once you have them cut open, take a small spoon and scoop out the seeds and the inner membrane. That’s where your heat comes from so unless you like super spicy food, remove all the seeds and membrane.

Bacon Cheese Filling

In a bowl, mix your softened cream cheese and all your other ingredients. No steps, no special order. Just dump them all in and mix them.

Then use a spoon to fill your jalapeno shells.

How Long Do You Cook Jalapeno Poppers?

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and place your filled peppers on a baking sheet.

Bake for about 20 minutes or until they’re golden brown.

Unlike some recipes, the time for this is kind of subjective. If you keep them in for less than 20 minutes, they might just not be as melty and golden. If you keep them in for longer than 20 minutes, the pepper just continues to soften so they might be a little harder to hold.

Can You Air Fry Jalapeno Poppers?

Absolutely! I cook them in my air fryer at 370 for about 10-15 minutes.

I know that’s a huge range for an air fryer, but it really depends if you’re cooking raw bacon wrapped around the popper or if you don’t need to worry about that.

If you’re making them as my recipe directs, stay closer to 10 minutes. If you’re wrapping them in bacon, it will be closer to 15 minutes.

Are Jalapeno Poppers Low Carb/Keto?

Yes! Isn’t that amazing?!

You don’t even have to do anything special with this recipe. They’re just naturally low carb.

So if you’re looking for a keto snack, keep a batch of these on-hand for when you get cravings.

Storage and Reheating

Freezing and reheating jalapeno poppers is a great way to save time and effort when preparing appetizers for a party. To freeze, simply place the jalapeno poppers on a baking sheet and freeze for 60 minutes before transferring them to an airtight container or reusable bag. When ready to serve, just place the frozen poppers on a baking sheet and bake without thawing, adding 10-15 minutes to the regular baking time. Leftovers can be easily reheated in the microwave the next day, although the bacon won’t be as crispy. Alternatively, you can chop up leftover jalapeno poppers and stir them into macaroni and cheese for something different. This is an easy way to enjoy delicious jalapeno poppers any time of year!

How to Serve Jalapeno Poppers?

Jalapeno poppers are a delicious and spicy snack that can be served family-style. To serve them, arrange them on a large platter so everyone can share. Make sure to provide a few different dipping sauces to go with the poppers. Sour cream is great for cooling down the heat of the peppers, while BBQ sauce can add extra heat, tang, or sweetness depending on which one you choose. Pineapple chutney is also an excellent option as it brings out the sweetness of pineapple with a bit of extra heat.

This bacon jalapeno popper recipe is a delicious and easy appetizer to make. It’s a perfect party appetizer and can be tailored to fit any taste. So give them a try – you won’t be disappointed!

Looking for more Jalapeno Recipes

They are flavorful, healthy, and easy to make. If you are looking for a new and exciting recipe to try, then be sure to check out some of the Jalapeno these recipes:

Print Recipe