Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers made with fresh jalapenos, creamy cheese, and crispy bacon, are always the hit of the party! Stash some in the freezer for easy snacking!
Make these bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers for any occasion – I like to keep a stash in the freezer for a midnight snack. (Shhhh, don’t tell my husband). Serve them alongside some sweet cornbread and a bowl of Wendy’s chili for the perfect fall game day trifecta!
Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
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Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Popper Ingredients
- Jalapenos – Try to get medium to large jalapenos, they will be easier to work with and in this case, more is definitely better!
- Bacon – You can use regular or thick cut bacon. Just make sure you’ll have enough sliced. One slice per jalapeno is what you will need.
- Cheese – I like to use goat cheese for this recipe, but if you’re not a fan then cream cheese will work too (I implore you to try it with goat cheese at least once though, it’s SO delicious!).
- Glaze – I love a goat cheese + balsamic glaze combo – the sweet and savory combination is absolutely magical. If you’re not about balsamic glaze though, barbecue sauce will give an (allllllmost) equally good result!
- Garlic salt – Make sure you’re using garlic salt and not just garlic powder. You want that punch only a layer of salt can give.
What are Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers?
Bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers are an easy appetizer recipe (or snack recipe!) made by filling jalapenos with cheese, wrapping them in bacon, and smothering them in sauce before baking. They are slightly spicy and very satisfying!
Make them for parties, holidays, and midnight snacks!
How Do You Make Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
⭐ First, cut jalapenos in half, lengthwise, and remove seeds and pith (most of the heat is in the seeds and pith).
⭐ Next, lay jalapenos on a baking sheet, and fill with cheese. Sprinkle the cheesy jalapenos with garlic salt, then wrap each jalapeno in bacon.
⭐ Then, use a basting brush to cover the jalapenos with sauce.
⭐ Finally, roast uncovered in the oven until bacon is cooked to your liking.
Preparation
Can You Make Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers Ahead of Time?
You can make these ahead of time. If you want to prepare them a day or less in advance, just story covered in the refrigerator before baking. If you want to make them more than a day in advance, follow the directions for freezing.
Can You Freeze Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers Before Cooking?
You can freeze the jalapenos before cooking. For best results freeze on a sheet pan for an hour before transferring them to a freezer bag or tupperware. You do not need to thaw before cooking.
How to Cook Frozen Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
To cook previously frozen bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers, lay them (still frozen) on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake as directed, but add 10 – 15 minutes additional cook time. Watch closely toward the end of the cook time so as not to burn.
Can Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers Be Grilled?
Yes, you can grill this recipe. Prepare poppers as directed, then cook over a medium heat grill, watching closely. Bacon has a lot of fat and grease that will drip off, so be careful of flare ups.
One way to reduce flareups is to pre bake the poppers for 10 – 12 minutes before putting them on the grill. This will allow some of the fat to render off first.
Ingredient Substitutions
What Can I Use Instead of Goat Cheese?
If you aren’t a fan of goat cheese, cream cheese will also work in this recipe. I would love if you tried it with goat cheese though as I think you will be pleasantly surprised!
The goat cheese is similar in flavor to cream cheese but with a more earthy undertone – it pairs perfectly with the bacon and balsamic.
Can I Use Lowfat Cheese?
For best flavor and consistency we recommend full fat cheese, but if you are calorie or fat watching, low fat will work as well.
Just a note – the full fat cheese will temper the heat of the jalapeno better as fat is what pulls the capsasin (pain causing component) away from your taste buds. Therefore, poppers made with lower fat cheese will taste spicier!
What Can I Use Instead of Balsamic Glaze?
A great alternative to balsamic glaze is barbecue sauce! Similarly sweet, it pairs nicely with the bacon, cheese, and pepper.
If you do use balsamic, make sure you are getting a glaze and not straight vinegar. The glaze will be thick and a similar consistency to barbecue sauce.
Nutritional Information
Are Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers Healthy?
Whether they are healthy will depend on the diet you follow – the cheese provides calcium, vitamin D and fat, the bacon provides protein and fat, and the peppers are full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. On the whole it is a high calorie, high fat dish, so best eaten in moderation.
Are Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers Gluten Free?
Our recipe is gluten free as written, but it is important to check the individual packages of your ingredients thoroughly to make sure they are truly gluten free.
Are Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers Keto?
The keto (or ketogenic diet) focuses on high fat, low carbohydrate foods. This recipe fits the bill, although you may want to go easy on the glaze as it is high in sugar content.
Tips and Tricks
⭐ Wear gloves when handling jalapeno peppers to avoid burning your fingers – and make sure you never ever rub your eyes after handling them.
⭐ Keep a batch in the freezer for unexpected company (or a midnight snack); just add 10 – 15 minutes of cook time for frozen bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers and you’re set!
⭐ Use thick cut bacon or regular bacon, just add a few extra minutes to the baking time for thick cut bacon. Mmmmm. Bacon.
⭐ If you cut the bacon lengthwise it will be easier to wrap around the jalapenos!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type of Chili Pepper for Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
Well, jalapenos of course! If you wanted something spicier though, try making them with serrano peppers. Or if you want no heat at all, try using mini sweet peppers.
Are Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers Spicy
Bacon wrapped jalapeno peppers are a little bit spicy, but not painfully so. To cut down on the heat make sure to remove all the seeds and pith (the white part of the jalapeno pepper attached to the seeds) and use full fat cheese.
For a slightly spicier version keep some of the seeds in the pepper!
Storage and Leftovers
How to Store the Leftovers?
Cooked bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers should be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator or freezer. If you are storing them immediately after cooking, allow the dish to come to room temperature first.
If you are storing leftovers after serving them, make sure the dish did not stay out of refrigeration for more than two hours. When food is kept at room temperature in excess of two hours it enters the ‘danger zone’ where bacteria can grow and make you ill.
If the dish sat out longer than two hours, then you will need to dispose of any leftovers.
How Long Do They Last?
Your poppers will last about three days in the refrigerator or several weeks in the freezer if properly stored.
Can I Freeze Leftover Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers?
Yes, allow them to come to room temperature, then freeze on a flat baking sheet for about one hour. After they have set, transfer poppers into a freezer safe bag or other freezer safe container.
They will last up to a few months frozen, after which the flavor and texture may begin to deteriorate.
How to Reheat
To reheat leftover bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers, microwave on high for 1 – 3 minutes, depending on how many you are reheating and the strength of your microwave.
They can also be reheated in a toaster oven or traditional oven set at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.
Complete the party with our serving suggestions!
We typically serve this dish at parties alongside our famous sherbet punch, or a pitcher of classic margaritas. If it’s Football season, make sure to brink some potato salad and bake a football field cake too!
More appetizer recipes we love
- Turkey Meatballs
- Cream Cheese Dip
- Chicken Sliders
- Bruschetta Tomatoes
- Mango Salsa
- See all our easy apps!
More jalapeno recipes we love
- Jalapeno Popper Crescent Rolls
- Pickled Jalapenos
- Smoked armadillo eggs
- Pico De Gallo
- Spicy Refrigerator Pickles
- Check out all our recipes with jalapenos!
More Bacon Recipes
- Bacon in the Oven
- Bacon Wrapped Crackers
- Bacon Wrapped Pineapple
- Bacon Wrapped Pretzels
- Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
- Check out all our delicious bacon recipes before you go!
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How to Make Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
Ingredients
- 12 Jalapenos
- 1 pound bacon
- 8 ounces goat cheese or cream cheese
- ¼ cup balsamic glaze or barbecue sauce
- Garlic salt
Instructions
- Cut jalapenos in half, lengthwise, and remove seeds and pith.
- Lay on a baking sheet, and fill with cheese (I like to use a piping bag or sandwich bag for this).
- Sprinkle liberally with garlic salt, and wrap each jalapeno in half a slice of bacon.
- Use a basting brush to cover tops of jalapenos with sauce.
- Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes, or until bacon is cooked to your liking.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
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Melissa says
Great recipe! We love Jalapeño Poppers!
Beth Pierce says
Loving all the delicious flavors in this recipe! Will definitely be adding this with my dinner line up for the week! Yum!
Jennifer says
Okay, these are absolutely DELICIOUS. Going to be making it over and over!
Katie says
So many wonderful flavors! Can’t wait to try the recipe!
Katie says
The best appetizer and game day food. Everyone loved these!