Easy jalapeno poppers recipe bursting with flavors, making for the best appetizer! Fresh jalapenos stuffed with creamy bacon and Ranch mixture, topped with a crispy topping and then baked to perfection.
Love jalapeno poppers? Make this creamy jalapeno popper dip!
JALAPENO POPPERS RECIPES
These easy jalapeno poppers are guaranteed to become a fan favorite! This simple appetizer is made with fresh jalapeños, a bacon Ranch cream cheese filling, and a crispy panko topping. This classic party dish gives you the perfect balance of heat and creaminess! Make these poppers for game nights, holiday gatherings or for a yummy snack!
WHAT YOU NEED-
- Jalapenos– You want to use fresh jalapenos for this recipe! Be sure to pick out bigger jalapenos, for a deeper center for easier stuffing.
- Cream Cheese– Use either regular or low-fat cream cheese for the filling base. Be sure the cream cheese is softened; this makes it easier to work with!
- Bacon– Bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers is a popular way to make this appetizer, but I prefer to add crispy bacon bits into the cream cheese mixture. If you prefer, you can leave the bacon out!
- Green Onions– Freshly chopped green onions add so much added flavors to the filling! The greens are totally optional.
- Ranch– Adding Ranch powder to the cream cheese filling adds so much flavor! Either Hidden Valley Ranch powder or any off-brand Ranch powder will work.
- Flavor– For additional flavor, I like to add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to the filling!
- Shredded Cheese– Any shredded cheese will work! Colby jack, mild cheddar, taco blend, or even mozzarella will work.
- Panko Topping– If you want to add the crunchy topping to your jalapeno poppers all you need is just panko crumbs and oil or melted butter!
HOW TO MAKE JALAPENO POPPERS
With just a few simple steps you can have these delicious jalapeno poppers ready to enjoy!
- Preheat the oven and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients for the jalapeno filling.
- Carefully, cut the jalapeños in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and membranes from the center. (Wear gloves to avoid spicy fingers.)
- Stuff the jalapeno halves with the filling, evenly dividing among all the jalapenos. (Add the cream cheese filling into a piping bag for easier and cleaner stuffing.)
- Add the stuffed jalapenos to the lined baking sheet. Top the stuffed jalapenos with the panko mixture.
- Bake until the jalapenos are tender and the topping is golden.
- Remove from heat and cool for 3-4 minutes. Top with additional chopped bacon and chopped green onions.
- Serve warm with Ranch for dipping sauce.
AIR FRYER JALAPENO POPPERS
This spicy appetizer cooks great in the air fryer!
- Once the jalapenos are stuffed, add to the air fryer basket. (Do not overcrowd. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might have to cook them in batches.)
- Air fry at 375°F for about 6-8 minutes, or until peppers are tender and topping is crunchy and golden.
- Remove from the air fryer and serve with Ranch for dipping.
QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE:
Although jalapenos are spicy, you remove the main spice when you clean out the seeds and membranes. The stuffing for these peppers also even out some of the spice!
Yes, once the bacon is wrapped around the pepper and stuffing, add to the baking sheet. The baking time will be longer, since the bacon needs to be cooked fully.
Yes! If you don’t want to add bacon into the filling, you can leave it out completely.
Yes! You can prepare the bacon ranch filling ahead of time. Or fully prepare the stuffed peppers, cover and store them in the fridge for 1-2 days!
Once the jalapeno poppers are cooled, cover or store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days!
Reheat these stuffed jalapeños in the air fryer, oven or microwave! These are also delicious and cold!
OTHER APPETIZER IDEAS-
Check out all these other delicious appetizer recipes:
Jalapeno Poppers Recipe
Ingredients
- 12-14 fresh large jalapenos
Cream Cheese Filling-
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 Tbsp Ranch powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 8 oz bacon bits cooked
- 3 Tbsp green onion finely chopped
- 1 cup shredded Monetary jack cheese
Crispy Topping-
- 1/2 cup panko crumbs
- 1 ½ Tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a 9×13 baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, Ranch powder, salt, garlic powder, pepper, chopped cooked bacon, green onions and shredded cheese.
- Carefully, cut the jalapenos in half lengthwise. With a spoon, scoop out the seeds and membranes. (Wear gloves to avoid spicy fingers.)
- Divide the filling evenly between all the jalapenos, adding into the center of each jalapeno half. (Add the cream cheese filling into a piping bag for easier and cleaner stuffing.)
- Add the stuffed jalapenos to the line baking sheet. (Do not overcrowd, divide among two baking sheets if necessary.)
- In a small bowl, combine the panko crumbs and olive oil.
- Top the stuffed jalapenos with the panko mixture.
- Bake at 400°F for 20-22 minutes, until the jalapenos are tender and the topping is golden.
- Remove from heat and cool for 3-4 minutes.
- Top with additional chopped bacon and chopped green onions.
- Serve warm with Ranch for dipping sauce.
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