Crispy Baked Cream Cheese Jalapeño Poppers Wrapped in Bacon
These crispy baked jalapeño poppers are stuffed with creamy seasoned cream cheese and wrapped in thin-cut bacon for a smoky, spicy, and satisfying appetizer that’s quick and easy to make.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 poppers (12 jalapeños halved) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 medium-sized jalapeño peppers, washed and halved lengthwise, seeds and membranes removed
- 8 ounces (225 grams) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 12 slices thin-cut bacon
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1/2 cup (50 grams) shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- Optional: 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- Optional: crispy fried onions for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cut each jalapeño in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out the seeds and membranes.
- In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth. Add shredded cheese and cilantro if using.
- Fill each jalapeño half with the cream cheese mixture.
- Wrap each stuffed jalapeño half with a slice of bacon, securing with toothpicks if needed.
- Arrange the wrapped poppers on a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet or directly on a lined baking sheet, spacing evenly.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until bacon is crispy and cream cheese filling is bubbly, rotating the pan halfway through.
- Remove from oven and let cool on the rack for about 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use thin-cut bacon for best crispiness. Secure bacon with toothpicks if needed. Baking on a wire rack helps bacon crisp evenly and prevents sogginess. Rotate baking sheet halfway through cooking. Avoid overfilling jalapeños to prevent filling spillover. For reheating, bake at 350°F for 10 minutes to restore crispiness; avoid microwaving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popper
- Calories: 90110
- Fat: 89
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 56
Keywords: jalapeño poppers, cream cheese, bacon, appetizer, baked jalapeños, party snack, easy appetizer, spicy snack