Spicy Jalapeno Poppers Cream Cheese (Print version)

Crispy baked jalapenos stuffed with creamy cheese and spices, perfect for parties and snacks.

# What you need:

→ Fresh Produce

01 - 8 large jalapeno peppers

→ Cheese Filling

02 - 7 oz cream cheese, softened
03 - 3.5 oz shredded cheddar cheese
04 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
05 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
07 - 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/4 tsp salt
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Breading

10 - 2 large eggs
11 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
12 - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

→ Optional

13 - Cooking spray or a little oil for baking

# Directions:

01 - Set oven temperature to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - Slice jalapenos in half lengthwise and carefully remove seeds and membranes while wearing gloves.
03 - Combine cream cheese, cheddar, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper thoroughly in a bowl.
04 - Fill each jalapeno half generously with the cheese mixture.
05 - Place flour in one shallow dish, beat eggs in another bowl, and put panko breadcrumbs in a third bowl.
06 - Coat each stuffed jalapeno first in flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally press into panko breadcrumbs until evenly covered.
07 - Place breaded jalapeno poppers on the prepared baking sheet and lightly spray or drizzle with oil if desired.
08 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until golden brown and cheese is bubbly.
09 - Allow poppers to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • The creamy filling balances the pepper heat perfectly, so even people who claim they dont like spice end up reaching for seconds.
  • Theyre baked instead of fried, which means less mess and guilt but all the crispy golden texture you crave.
  • You can prep them a day ahead and just pop them in the oven when guests arrive, making hosting so much easier.
  • They work for any occasion, from casual movie nights to fancy game day spreads.
02 -
  • Softening the cream cheese completely is non-negotiable, cold cream cheese will leave you with lumps no matter how hard you stir.
  • Pressing the panko firmly onto each popper ensures the coating stays put and crisps evenly instead of falling off in patches.
  • If you skip the gloves when handling jalapenos, wash your hands thoroughly before touching your face or eyes, I learned that lesson the hard way.
03 -
  • Choose jalapenos that are similar in size so they bake evenly and look uniform on the platter.
  • If the filling is too soft to handle, chill it in the fridge for 15 minutes before stuffing to make the process cleaner.
  • Rotate the baking sheet halfway through to ensure every popper gets the same golden color.

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