SMOKED FRIED JALAPEÑO POPPERS | Easy Recipe

cream cheese

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: ricotta cheese

Greek yogurt adds creaminess with fewer calories.

bacon

🥗Healthier: turkey bacon

💰Cheaper: pork belly

Turkey bacon is lower in fat while maintaining flavor.

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: colby jack cheese

Reduced-fat cheese lowers calories while still melting well.

breadcrumbs

🥗Healthier: panko breadcrumbs

💰Cheaper: crushed crackers

Crushed crackers provide a crunchy texture at a lower cost.

Roll jalapeños to see where they want to sit.

Cut jalapeños, removing stems and seeds.

In a bowl, mix 1 brick of cream cheese with 1/2 cup of shredded cheese and season with Arizona cajun rub to taste.

Stuff each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture, filling only halfway.

Wrap each stuffed jalapeño with cheap bacon, starting at one end and wrapping tightly.

Place wrapped jalapeños on a cooling rack.

Preheat smoker to 300°F and smoke the jalapeños for about 40 minutes until the bacon is close to being done.

Prepare the dredge by cracking 3 eggs in a bowl and mixing them.

In another bowl, add about 1 cup of flour and in a third bowl, add panko breadcrumbs mixed with green chili bacon rub.

Remove jalapeños from the smoker and cool them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Dredge each jalapeño in flour, then dip in egg wash, and coat with breadcrumbs.

Heat deep fryer to 350°F and fry jalapeños in batches of three until golden brown.

Prepare a sour cream sauce by mixing about 1/2 cup of sour cream with Arizona cajun rub to taste.

Serve the jalapeños warm with the sour cream sauce.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens