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Best Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers: Easy Tailgate Appetizer

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These bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers are the ultimate tailgate appetizer, featuring a creamy cheese filling, crispy bacon, and a perfect kick of heat. Easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser, they disappear before anything else on the table.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 fresh jalapeno peppers
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 12 slices thin-cut bacon
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Toothpicks (soaked in water for 10 minutes)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment and place a wire rack on top if available.
  2. Wearing gloves, cut each jalapeno pepper in half lengthwise. Use a small spoon to scrape out the white membranes and seeds. Leave stems intact. You should have 24 jalapeno halves.
  3. Lay the bacon slices on the wire rack (or directly on the foil-lined sheet) and bake for 6-8 minutes until partially cooked but still pliable. Remove and let cool slightly on a paper towel-lined plate. Leave the oven on.
  4. In a small bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix until smooth and spreadable.
  5. Fill each jalapeno half with about 1 to 1.5 teaspoons of the cream cheese mixture, leaving a slight dome on top.
  6. Wrap a par-baked bacon slice around each filled jalapeno half, starting at one end and wrapping diagonally with slight overlap. Secure with a soaked toothpick.
  7. Arrange the wrapped poppers on the wire rack, leaving space between each. Bake for 18-22 minutes until bacon is crispy and golden brown.
  8. Remove from oven and let rest on the rack for 5 minutes. Remove toothpicks before serving, or leave them in for easy grabbing. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Par-baking the bacon is the secret to perfectly crispy bacon without overcooking the jalapenos. Wear gloves when handling jalapenos to avoid burning your eyes. For milder poppers, remove all membranes and seeds. For spicier poppers, leave some membranes intact. Poppers can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated. Unbaked poppers can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: jalapeno poppers, bacon wrapped, tailgate appetizer, game day snack, stuffed jalapenos, keto appetizer, gluten free appetizer

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