Smoked Jalapeño Poppers
Crispy-topped jalapeños stuffed with a creamy cheese filling, then smoked or baked until the peppers are tender and the cheese melts inside. Perfect appetizer or snack with bold, smoky heat.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Calories
- 178
- Protein
- 8g
Ingredients
- 8 whole jalapeños
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- 1
Set the oven to 400°F and wait until the indicator light or beep tells you it has finished heating, about 10 minutes.
- 2
Lay each jalapeño on a cutting board and, with a sharp knife, carefully cut a thin lengthwise slit from the stem down to the tip, just deep enough to remove the seeds inside but not so deep you cut all the way through the skin.
- 3
Use a small spoon or the back of a knife to scrape out the seeds and white membranes from inside each jalapeño, creating a hollow pocket for the filling.
- 4
In a small bowl, stir together the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and smoked paprika until evenly blended, with no white or orange streaks remaining.
- 5
Spoon the cheese mixture into each jalapeño cavity, filling it until the cheese reaches the top but does not overflow; you should use roughly 1 tablespoon per popper.
- 6
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with the olive oil, stirring until the breadcrumbs are evenly moistened and the mixture looks like wet sand.
- 7
Sprinkle a small pinch of the breadcrumb mixture on top of each cheese-filled jalapeño, gently pressing it down so it adheres.
- 8
Arrange the stuffed jalapeños on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 1 inch apart, then place the pan in the preheated oven.
- 9
Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the jalapeño skin looks slightly softened and the breadcrumb topping turns the color of golden honey, about 12–15 minutes.
- 10
Remove the pan from the oven and let the poppers cool for 2 minutes, so the cheese firms up slightly and they are easier to handle.
Tools you’ll need
- oven
- sheet pan
- parchment paper
- cutting board
- sharp knife
- small spoon
- small mixing bowl
- spoon for stirring
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