Description
Stuffed jalapeño peppers are a beloved appetizer that perfectly balances spicy, creamy, and savory flavors. These little bites pack a punch of heat from the jalapeños, which is then tempered by a rich, cheesy filling and wrapped in crispy bacon.
Ingredients
- 12 fresh jalapeño peppers, halved lengthwise, seeds & pith removed
- 12 slices thick-cut bacon, cut in half
- 8 ounce cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 2 green onions, finely sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoon dill pickle juice (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat Oven: To 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top.
2. Make Filling: In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, cheddar, Monterey Jack, green onions, garlic powder, lime juice, pickle juice (if using), paprika, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper until smooth.
3. Stuff Peppers: Spoon the cheese mixture into each jalapeño half, filling generously.
4. Wrap with Bacon: Wrap each stuffed pepper with a half slice of bacon. Secure with toothpicks if needed.
5. Bake: Place the peppers on the rack and bake for 20–25 minutes until the bacon is crispy and the cheese is bubbly.
6. Serve: Let the Stuffed Jalapeño Peppers cool slightly, then serve them warm as an appetizer or party snack.
Notes
The key to success with this recipe is to thoroughly remove the seeds and pith from the jalapeños to control the level of heat. The creamy, cheesy filling and crispy bacon topping help to balance the spicy kick of the peppers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2-3 peppers per person
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 30mg