Jalapeno Poppers -

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These jalapeno poppers are stuffed with a herbed cream cheese and cheddar cheese mixture, topped with egg and panko coating then fried to crispy and golden. This easy popper makes the perfect bite; crispy, creamy, spicy, cheesy and they are beyond delicious and quite honestly the best appetizer ever!

Jalapeño poppers are one of my favorite go-to appetizer recipes. These little bites of heaven are fried until they a golden brown and all that cream cheese goodness is melted inside.Fresh Jalapenos are sliced in half and filled with a rich creamy cheese filling and topped with a crisp Panko topping. These poppers are fried until golden and bubbly for the perfect snack!

The flavors in these poppers are AMAZING. Spicy and cheesy and just downright addicting! Perfect for people who love a good amount of spice, crunch and cheesy-ness

WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS YOU WILL NEED:

Here’s a quick rundown of everything you’ll need. Plus, ideas and tips for ingredient substitutions.

Jalapeno Peppers – Try to find small and medium (bite-sized) jalapeno peppers.
Cream Cheese – The key to our creamy, cheesy filling. I used light cream cheese as a healthy swap.
Cheese – I have used Cheddar Cheese here for a little heat and ooey-gooey. You can swap Monterey jack or Pepper jack .
Herbs – Have used Italian herbs for nice flavour.
Egg – To give a nice coat to the peppers so that breadcrumbs will stick properly and will get crispy poppers
Panko Breadcrumbs – To create the most delicious crispy, crunchy topping.

How to Make Jalapeno Poppers?

Jalapeno Poppers have a few essentials; the jalapeno itself, a creamy filling, breading and frying.

Jalapenos: I like to buy jalapenos that are about 3-4 inches long, you don’t want them to be too small or they’ll be hard to stuff. The jalapenos are sliced in half and the seeds and ribs get removed. Removing the seeds and ribs removes most of the heat from the peppers; if you like it spicier, leave some of the seeds and ribs in.If you have people in your group who cannot tolerate any spice, you can also make these using baby bell peppers which don’t have heat! Make some of each!

Cheesy Filling: Cream cheese is the base and I add in a sharp cheddar as it has more flavor. I also add a dash Italian herbs which you can add or skip. You can also add crisp cooked bacon, cilantro or your own favorites! Start by mixing the cream cheese, shredded cheese and herbs in a bowl. After it’s mixed, spoon a few tablespoons of this mixture into the pepper halves.

Crispy Breading: Place the beaten egg and bread crumbs with Italian seasoning,salt and pepper in a separate bowls. Dip the jalapeños in egg, then with bread crumbs making sure it is all coated. If you want to make sure they are extra coated, re-dip in egg and then back in breadcrumbs. I have used Panko Breadcrumbs for the perfect crunch! If you’d like to make keto Jalapeno Poppers, simply skip the bread crumbs for your low carb friends!

Frying: Heat up the oil in a skillet on medium-high heat. Fry each jalapeño peppers for a few minutes or until golden brown. Let the poppers drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Make sure to serve them warm with ranch or any other favorite dipping sauces.

TIPS TO MAKE PREFECT JALAPENO POPPERS:

Use jalapenos that are about 3-4 inches long, you don’t want them to be too small or they’ll be hard to stuff.
Look for jalapenos that are similar in size, so that they fry in about the same amount of time.
Most jalapeno peppers are fairly mild once the seeds and membranes are removed, but every now and then you’ll hit a hot one.
If your skin is especially sensitive, it’s a good idea to wear gloves when working with jalapenos.
Use Panko Breadcrumbs for the perfect crunch.

WHAT ARE THE OTHER FILLING VARIATIONS?

There are lots of amazing things you can add to jalapeno poppers! Try switching up the fillings of jalapeño poppers to create different flavors!

bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers
mushrooms with goat cheese
cheddar cheese and ground beef
meat, green chiles, and mayo
refried beans and salsa

WHAT ARE THE OTHER HEALTHIER COOKING OPTIONS?

OVEN: You can bake these poppers instead of frying them if you’d prefer. Just preheat the oven to 400 degrees and bake for about 20 minutes until golden brown and the cheese is melted inside.

AIR FRYER: You can also air fry at 375 degrees. Cook them for 10-12 minutes until they are golden brown. Turn them halfway through so they cook evenly throughout.

How to Store AND Reheat?

To Store – Place cooked and cooled jalapeno poppers in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
To Reheat – Rewarm jalapeno poppers on a baking sheet in the oven at 325 degrees F until heated through. 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, then fry them just before serving.