Cowboy Cream Cheese Jalapeno Poppers Recipe
These Cowboy Cream Cheese Jalapeno Poppers are a smoky, spicy, and creamy appetizer perfect for any gathering. Jalapenos stuffed with a flavorful mixture of cream cheese, cheddar, bacon, and fresh cilantro, then coated with buttery breadcrumbs and baked until golden and crispy. A delicious bite-sized treat combining heat, tang, and savory goodness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 poppers (12 jalapeno peppers halved) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Ingredients
Scale
Peppers and Filling
- 12 large jalapeno peppers
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 4 oz shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 oz crumbled cooked bacon
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Coating
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it is ready for baking the poppers evenly and thoroughly.
- Prepare Jalapenos: Cut the jalapeno peppers in half lengthwise and carefully remove all seeds and membranes to reduce the heat level and make room for the filling.
- Make Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled cooked bacon, chopped fresh cilantro, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated and creamy.
- Stuff Jalapenos: Fill each jalapeno half generously with the cream cheese mixture, ensuring an even distribution of flavors in every popper.
- Prepare Coating: In a separate bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with the melted butter until the crumbs are evenly coated and slightly moist.
- Coat Poppers: Gently press each filled jalapeno into the breadcrumb mixture, coating the surface for a crispy outer layer.
- Bake: Arrange the coated jalapenos on a baking sheet, spaced slightly apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the jalapenos are tender and the breadcrumb topping turns a golden brown.
Notes
- Wear gloves when handling jalapenos to avoid irritation from the capsaicin oils.
- Adjust the seeds left inside the jalapenos to customize the spice level according to your preference.
- For extra crispiness, broil the poppers for the last 1 minute of cooking time, watching closely to prevent burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 poppers
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Jalapeno poppers, cream cheese, bacon, cheddar cheese, appetizer, spicy, cowboy food
