Jalapeno Poppers with Bacon

We all have one party appetizer that causes us to do a mini happy dance whenever we spy it on a plate, and mine is Jalapeño Poppers with Bacon. Inspired by my love for these cream-cheese stuffed, spicy little bites, I created a lightened-up twist on the beloved classic.

This recipe is every bit as cheesy and satisfying as the original, easier to make (no messy frying!), and anyone who tastes one will flip when they take a bite.

Jalapeño poppers are fresh jalapeño peppers that are split in half, stuffed with a decadent cream cheese, shredded cheese, and bacon filling, then sprinkled with panko breadcrumbs and cooked to golden, crispy perfection.

Honestly, they should come with a warning label: ADDICTION INEVITABLE.

Take your first cheesy, creamy, crunchy, and lightly spicy bite, and see if you don’t agree.

The best part? Because this easy jalapeño poppers recipe is baked, it doesn’t require any of the mess or work of frying.

After discovering that jalapeño poppers baked at 350 degrees F can taste just as unstoppably good as fried variety, I’m NEVER going back.

Plus, they only take 15 minutes of prep work and are ready to serve in just under 40 minutes total.

If you’re looking for a simple, crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s easy to pick up and polish off, this is definitely the recipe for you.

How to Make Baked Jalapeno Poppers

Not only are these cream cheese jalapeño poppers just as decadent tasting as the original recipe, but they are also incredibly straightforward to prepare.

The Ingredients

• Bacon. Need I say more? I love using my perfect Oven Baked Bacon or Air Fryer Bacon for this recipe.
• Jalapeño Peppers. The delicious vessel for our poppers. When I make this recipe, I try to find small and medium (bite-sized) jalapeño peppers.
• Cream Cheese. The key to our creamy filling. I used light cream cheese as a healthy swap in this cream cheese jalapeño popper recipe.
• Pepper Jack Cheese. For a little heat and ooey-gooey goodness in our lightly spicy jalapeño poppers recipe. For a less spicy version, swap Monterey jack or cheddar.
• Green Onion. You’ll love the mild flavor and balance these add.
• Panko Breadcrumbs. To create the most delicious crispy, crunchy topping.

The Directions

Cook the bacon, then dice it into small pieces. (Try not to eat it all.)

Beat the cream cheese filling ingredients together, then spoon the mixture into each prepared jalapeño. I like to do this with a small spoon. Lay the peppers filling-side up on the baking sheet.

Sprinkle panko on top of each pepper. Then, lightly coat the tops with nonstick spray. Bake the jalapeño poppers at 350 degrees F for 15 to 18 minutes, until tender and golden. Remove, sprinkle with additional bacon. Serve hot and DIG IN!

Jalapeno Poppers Recipe Tips

• Look for jalapeños that are similar in size, so that they bake in about the same amount of time.
• Most jalapeño peppers are fairly mild once the seeds and membranes are removed, but every now and then you’ll hit a hot one. If that happens to you, consider it good luck, then move on to the next.
• Avoid touching your eye after working with jalapeños. The jalapeño oil will stick to your fingers and if it gets into your eye, it will sting—believe me, I’ve done it more than once.
• If your skin is especially sensitive, it’s a good idea to wear gloves when working with jalapeños.

Recipe Adaptations

• Jalapeño Poppers with Sausage. Swap the bacon for 1/2 pound of ground sausage. Use a skillet to brown the sausage, then lay it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cooled, mix it in with the other filling ingredients and bake as directed. (Or try this version topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for delicious sausage and Parmesan jalapeño poppers.)
• To Make Jalapeño Poppers Keto. Nothing! This is a keto-friendly recipe as written. If you’d like it to be even more low carb, omit the breadcrumbs.
• To Grill. If you’d like your jalapeño poppers grilled, start by preheating your grill to medium heat. Brush the grates with oil, then lay each jalapeño popper onto the grates, cut side up. OR use a grilling mat or aluminum foil to be 100% sure the peppers do not fall through. Make sure none of the peppers are leaning to the side, or you might lose the filling. Grill for about 10 minutes. For grilled bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers, wrap each uncooked jalapeño popper in a slice of bacon before grilling.
• To Make in an Air Fryer. For bacon jalapeño poppers air fryer style, prepare as directed, then cook them in the air fryer at 325 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes.

How to Store, Reheat, and Make Ahead

• To Store. Place cooked and cooled jalapeño poppers in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• To Reheat. Rewarm jalapeño poppers on a baking sheet in the oven at 325 degrees F until heated through. In a pinch, you can also reheat them on a microwave-safe plate in the microwave.
• To Make Ahead. You can stuff the jalapeños a day in advance, store them in the refrigerator, then bake them just before serving. Leave off the panko until just before baking.
• I would not recommend freezing these, as the texture may be negatively impacted once frozen. Frozen jalapeño poppers tend to turn mushy, and the topping will become soggy.

What to Eat with Jalapeno Poppers

• Chicken. Serve your poppers alongside Lemon Pepper Wings, Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders, or Baked Chicken Meatballs for the perfect party spread.
• Other Appetizers. Tater Tots, Mozzarella Sticks, and Ham and Cheese Pinwheels would all be great.
• Ribs. Everyone will love these with Instant Pot Ribs or Crockpot Ribs.

Recommended Tools for Making Healthy Baked Jalapeno Poppers

• Baking Sheet. This is an essential tool in my kitchen.
• Mixing Bowls. There’s a great variety of sizes in this set, and they stack nicely for storage.
• Parchment Paper. Great for keeping your poppers from sticking.