Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon is the appetizer everyone is going back for. Easily done in the oven, prep takes about 15 minutes, and cook about 15-20 minutes. Great game day appetizer recipe that everyone loves.
Preheat oven to 400 and grease a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Set sheet aside.
Slice each jalapeno pepper in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and discard. It's best to use gloves to avoid seeds or spices from getting into sensitive areas of the face accidentally.
In a small bowl, mix cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese. if you are adding seasoning, add Cajun or Cayenne directly to cream cheese to mix in.
Use a tablespoon scoop to scoop cheese into each pepper half, pressing the mixture in into the shell. Clean fingers are the easiest way to spread the cream cheese in the jalapeno shells. Be careful not to overfill.
Wrap one half slice of bacon around each pepper, tucking the ends in or under the jalapeno and place onto the baking sheet. If bacon ends are left out, they may unravel while baking. Using a toothpick to secure is fine as well just remove before serving.
Bake jalapeno poppers for 15-18 minutes or until bacon piece is done. Depending on the oven, you may need up to 23 minutes or so.
If desired, broil for ad additional 2-3 minutes to crisp and golden brown the bacon. Never leave broiler unattended as it can move quickly and burn when you least expect it.
Video
Notes
Jalapeno Popper Expert Tips
If you use too much filling mixture in the jalapeno and overfill, you will not have enough to finish. You can either smooth out and transfer to a new jalapeno or make more dip. Remember that when the cream cheese begins to melt, it will ooze out of the shell, so I do not recommend overfilling.
As noted before, gloves help prevent jalapeno juice or peppers from accidentally getting into sensitive eyes or nostrils.
Stuffed peppers can be made with other peppers as well so if you want SUPER SPICY, try hot peppers like serrano peppers or habanero peppers. If you want mild or sweet peppers, try stuffed Pablano peppers.
To prevent the bacon strips from unraveling (if you are not good at tucking in those ends), simply use toothpicks to hold in place. Make sure to completely discard toothpicks before serving.
What else can be added to a Stuffed Jalapeno? It's fine to add bits of pre-cooked crispy bacon to the cream cheese mixture as well as cooked sausage or cooked ground beef.