The BEST Jalapeño Poppers for Parties

cream cheese

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: ricotta cheese

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess.

bacon

🥗Healthier: turkey bacon

💰Cheaper: pork belly

Turkey bacon has less fat.

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Nutritional yeast is lower in calories.

bread crumbs

🥗Healthier: ground oats

💰Cheaper: crushed crackers

Ground oats are gluten-free and healthier.

Cook bacon in a skillet, sauteing on both sides until golden brown and crispy.

Use a splatter guard while cooking the bacon to reduce mess or cook in an air fryer.

Chop the cooked bacon into small pieces and set aside, keeping some bacon fat for flavor.

In a medium bowl, add softened cream cheese and mash it with a fork.

Add 1/2 cup of shredded medium cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup of chopped fresh chives or green onion, and minced garlic to the bowl.

Season the mixture with salt and freshly cracked black pepper, and mash until well combined.

Cut 1 pound of fresh jalapeno peppers in half lengthwise, keeping the stem as a handle.

Use a teaspoon to scrape out the seeds and white membranes from the jalapenos.

Arrange the jalapeno halves onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Fill each jalapeno half with the cheese mixture using a teaspoon, filling to the level of the pepper without heaping over.

In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs with melted butter or bacon grease and stir in the chopped bacon.

Top each jalapeno popper with about 1 teaspoon of the bacon crumb topping.

Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C).

Bake the jalapeno poppers in the preheated oven for about 17 to 20 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown.

Check for tenderness by squeezing the sides of the jalapenos.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens