Easy bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers were the perfect way to treat my husband Dan after all his hard work lately. He’s been putting in extra hours at work, going in early, staying late, and still managing to spend time with the kids, mow the lawn, and handle all those house projects that always seem to pop up.
Knowing the way to his heart is through really good food, I decided to make him a special dinner last weekend. The poppers made an ideal appetizer. Dan loves bacon with just about anything, and my garden left me overloaded with jalapeños. Let’s just say I scored some major points, folks! He’s been asking for a repeat all week!
Making the Cheesy Filling for Easy Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
The cheesy filling is what takes these easy bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers to the next level. It’s simple to make and perfectly creamy, balancing the heat of the peppers with rich, savory flavors.
Step 1: Start the Filling
The easy bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers are actually really simple to make. Start the cheesy filling by mixing together 8 ounces of cream cheese, 1/4 cup of minced fresh chives, and 1/4 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Then add in 3/4 teaspoon of garlic powder.
Step 2: Combine the Filling Ingredients
Mash it all together with the back of a fork until everything is distributed evenly.
Step 3: Prepare the Jalapeños
Grab 10 jalapeños and cut them in half lengthwise. Then, use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and vein. The heat from the jalapeños comes from the seeds and vein, so if you like them extra spicy, leave a few inside.
I recommend using a spoon and not your fingers when scraping the jalapeños because it is easy to transfer the “heat” to other parts of your body. Once, I got a seed caught under my fingernail, and it burned for days. Another time, I unwittingly touched my eye, and all hell broke loose in my kitchen as I ran around like a sobbing blind woman.
They don’t call these jala-PAIN-os for nothing! (Come on, guys, that was a good one!) 🙂
Step 4: Stuff the Jalapeños
Take a scoop of the cream cheese mixture and stuff it inside the easy bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers.
Wrapping with Bacon for Easy Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
The bacon is the star of these easy bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers, adding a smoky, crispy layer that pairs perfectly with the creamy filling. Wrapping them up is quick and keeps all that cheesy goodness inside.
Step 5: Wrap the Poppers
Now, take half of a piece of thick-cut bacon and wrap it around the jalapeño poppers. Use a toothpick to secure the bacon in place.
Step 6: Secure for Cooking
Poke the toothpick into the side of the jalapeño so it makes it easy to flip in the pan. In other words, not directly into the cream cheese part.
Step 7: Cook Until Crispy
Heat the easy bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers in a large frying pan for about 5-6 minutes on each side, or until the bacon is browned and crispy.
I highly suggest getting a grease splatter screen if you don’t have one already. This will keep your stove and counters free of oily splatter and keep hot grease from burning your skin. They really make clean-up a breeze. I always use them with bacon and for lots of other dishes, too.
Step 8: Let Them Rest
Remove the easy bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers from the stove and set them on a paper towel to absorb any excess grease. Look how crunchy that bacon looks! My mouth is watering just looking at these again!
Dan’s Reaction
Here’s Dan being a goofball while I was trying to take pictures. This is actually a really good behind-the-scenes picture because I usually have a mess of dishes in the sink, and Dan is always trying to dig into my food before it’s ready. The easy bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers hadn’t even cooled yet, and he was trying to jam them into his mouth.
These are seriously AMAZING, people! I managed to snag three of them before Dan polished off the rest of the plate. They definitely have a kick to them, but just when you think you’ll need to reach for a glass of water, the cream cheese cools your mouth, and you’re left wanting another.
Perfect for Any Occasion
These easy bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers would be perfect for a party, game day, or appetizer at your next BBQ.
Here’s my main squeeze and best friend! I love that he’s always up for whatever I’m cooking, and he never complains. I’ll make him jalapeño poppers anytime he wants! If you’d like more delicious recipes, check out my recipe index or follow me on Pinterest. Happy cooking, y’all!
