Description
These Jalapeno Poppers are a spicy and creamy appetizer featuring jalapeno peppers stuffed with a blend of cream cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, bacon, and herbs, topped with a crunchy panko breadcrumb coating and baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Peppers
- 12 medium (1 lb.) jalapeno peppers, halved
Filling
- 7 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and finely chopped, divided
- 3 1/2 Tbsp thinly sliced green onions, divided
- 2 1/2 Tbsp finely chopped cilantro
- 1 tsp minced garlic (1 clove)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Topping
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 tsp (heaping) chili powder
- 2 tsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the jalapeno poppers.
- Prepare Peppers: Wearing food grade gloves, carefully remove seeds and ribs from each jalapeno halve by scraping out with your thumb or using a paring knife, taking care not to cut through the bottom.
- Arrange Peppers: Place the hollowed jalapeno halves cut side up on an 18 by 13-inch baking sheet in a single layer.
- Mix Filling: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, 4 slices of finely chopped bacon, 2 1/2 tablespoons of thinly sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and well mixed.
- Stuff Peppers: Spoon the cheese and bacon mixture evenly into each jalapeno halve, filling them slightly heaping.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix together panko bread crumbs, heaping chili powder, a pinch of salt, and olive oil until the crumbs are evenly coated.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the panko breadcrumb mixture evenly over the filled jalapenos for a crunchy topping.
- Bake: Bake the stuffed jalapenos in the preheated oven for 18 minutes until the peppers are tender and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with the remaining 2 slices of chopped bacon and 1 tablespoon of sliced green onions. Serve the poppers warm.
Notes
- Wear gloves when handling jalapenos to avoid irritation from the capsaicin oils.
- For a milder version, remove all seeds and ribs as they contain most of the heat.
- Substitute Monterey Jack cheese with mozzarella for a milder flavor or cheddar for a sharper taste.
- You can cook bacon in advance and store it refrigerated to save prep time.
- If you prefer gluten-free, substitute panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers.
