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Jalapeno Poppers with Bacon

Jalapeno poppers with bacon are baked until the bacon turns crisp and the cream cheese-cheddar filling bubbles. Halved, seeded jalapenos get stuffed and wrapped, then baked on a rack for even browning.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 42 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Calories: 330
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

jalapenos
  • 12 large jalapenos halved lengthwise and seeded
cream cheese
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
cheddar
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
green onions
  • 2 green onions finely sliced
bacon
  • 12 slices thin-cut bacon halved crosswise

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 wire rack

Method
 

Prep and preheat
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and set a wire rack over a lined baking sheet. This setup helps the bacon crisp evenly as the filling bakes.
  2. Mix cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and finely sliced green onions until well combined. The mixture should look thick and evenly speckled.
Stuff, wrap, and bake
  1. Fill each jalapeno half with the cheese mixture. Press the filling in so it reaches the center of each pepper.
  2. Wrap each jalapeno half with a piece of thin-cut bacon, tucking the ends underneath. Arrange seam-side down so the bacon stays put while baking.
  3. Place the bacon-wrapped jalapenos on the rack and bake for 20-22 minutes at 400°F until the bacon is crisp and the filling is bubbling. Look for golden edges and a lively bubble in the center.
Serve
  1. Cool the jalapeno poppers for 5 minutes before serving. This short rest lets the filling set slightly so it stays in place.

Notes

Pro tip: soften the cream cheese so it mixes smoothly—cold cream cheese can leave lumps in the filling. Store leftover poppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freezing is not recommended because bacon texture can soften after thawing. For a lighter option, use reduced-fat cream cheese and reduced-fat cheddar while keeping the baking time the same.