Pepper Poppers

Name: Pepper Poppers
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: about 2 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened; 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese; 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese; 6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 teaspoon chili powder; 1 pound fresh jalapenos, halved lengthwise and seeded; 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs; Sour cream, onion dip or ranch salad dressing

These creamy stuffed jalapenos have some bite. They may be the most popular treats I make! My husband is always hinting that I should make a batch. —Lisa Byington, Johnson City, New York

Ingredients

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1 pound fresh jalapenos, halved lengthwise and seeded
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
Sour cream, onion dip or ranch salad dressing

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the cheeses, bacon and seasonings; mix well. Spoon about 2 tablespoonfuls into each pepper half. Roll in bread crumbs.
Place in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 15 minutes for spicy flavor, 25 minutes for medium and 35 minutes for mild. Serve with sour cream, dip or dressing.

Editor's Note

Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face.

Nutrition Facts

1 popper: 94 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 167mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.

Originally published as Pepper Poppers in Taste of Home August/September 1998

Reviews

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Average Rating:

John

Jul 20, 2018

Why do you idiots look up a recipe for jalapeno poppers then cower in the corner and complain because they are too hot and give a 1 star rating? Maybe you should look for recipes in the marshmallow section so you don't burn your sensitive little tongues.
will not use

Jun 25, 2018

Laverne, you might want to try it with poblano peppers. They are generally a very mild type of pepper, less hot that jalapeños.
chesterbaebara

Jun 24, 2018

My family can't take the heat of the peppers so I used Mini Bells
Laverne

Jun 19, 2018

Does the tongue-biting heat cook out? They look and sound so good, but I can't take the heat!! Suppose I could use the mini bell peppers instead?
Psalm127-3

May 20, 2017

my husband was given a bacon wrapped jalapen? pepper popper a couple of years ago while [email protected] California beach resort. he adored it&was ever grateful for the campers' gesture of sharing. well he's now the camping sharer and looks forward to making these while we camp. THIS RECIPE is going to be a God send as much easier and betcha tastier as well. He'll make them today for cocktails in the afternoon- thank you Lisa Byingron, so very much appreciate this.
603linda

Dec 29, 2016

I have been making these for parties for a long time and they are always the first things gone. I make them just as written and they are the the best.
Bahiya

Nov 20, 2016

Been making this since it first appeared. So good! The filling is also pretty tasty on its own. I've made it to serve with crackers.
ebohuch

Apr 9, 2016

I had to (begrudgingly) leave out the bacon as well, but they turned out great and everyone loved them. I followed the advice in other comments to pack them close together and none of them tipped over or rolled out. Baked them for half an hour and there was still a nice kick to them.
etretired

Aug 15, 2015

My family wants them every get together. My husband loves them with ground turkey and rice.
nblackburn01

May 24, 2015

I make something similar to these. I can't stress rolling them in bread crumbs before putting them in the oven. It keeps all the ooey-gooey filling in. I have also wrapped each of my poppers in bacon vs. adding it to the recipe for that bacon pop. These freeze well if made ahead of time.