SWEET AND SOUTHERN JALAPENO POPPERS

cream cheese

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: ricotta cheese

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

bacon

🥗Healthier: turkey bacon

💰Cheaper: pork belly

Turkey bacon is lower in fat and calories

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Reduced-fat cheese lowers calories without sacrificing flavor

bread crumbs

🥗Healthier: panko crumbs

💰Cheaper: crushed crackers

Crushed crackers can provide a similar crunch at a lower cost

Welcome to the kitchen and introduce the dish: sweet and Southern jalapeno poppers stuffed with pimento cheese and wrapped in bacon.

Make the pimento cheese by combining 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 8 oz of softened cream cheese, and mayonnaise in a mixer.

Add onion powder, garlic powder, and a tiny bit of cayenne pepper for heat to the cheese mixture.

Chop pimentos or roasted red peppers into small pieces and add them to the cheese mixture.

Mix everything in the electric mixer until creamy and well combined.

Cut the ends off 10 jalapenos and slice them in half lengthwise, removing the seeds and membranes carefully.

Use a gloved hand to hold the jalapenos while cutting, and scrape the seeds into the trash to avoid spreading hot oils.

Place the halved jalapenos on a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper.

Stuff each jalapeno half with the prepared pimento cheese mixture.

Wrap each stuffed jalapeno with a piece of bacon, securing it if necessary.

Brush the wrapped jalapenos with red pepper jelly for added flavor.

Bake the jalapenos in the oven until the bacon is crispy and the cheese is bubbly, checking for doneness.

Serve the jalapeno poppers as a game day snack.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens