My daughter, Ellie, loves bacon jalapeño poppers, and so do I. The fresh poppers at El Burrito Mercado that you can get in their deli are wonderful heated up at home. I had some farmers’ market jalapeño peppers that I was going to use to make quick pickled jalapeños (you can find the recipe in the True North Cabin Cookbook), but when she saw them on the counter during Game Day, she suggested I make poppers, so I did!
One of the tricks to this recipe, and really any that calls for cream cheese, is to amp up the savory quality and make the dish a bit lighter by cutting the cream cheese with goat cheese. I use half cream cheese and half The Humble Goat cheese because it’s an award-winning Minnesota cheese that I love. You can even use one of their flavored versions here, like garlic and herb or jalapeño for an additional punch of flavor to take them up a notch. Give them a try and let me know what you think. I made mine in my air fryer but you can also use a conventional oven.
If you love these bacon jalapeño poppers, check out my other game day recipes, like air fryer hot chicken wings and buffalo cauliflower!
Here are some other Buffalo Sauce Inspired Game Day Recipes:
- Buffalo Chicken Cheeez-Its Salad
- Buffalo Chicken Dip with Ranch
- Buffalo Chicken Chili
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili
*Recipe sponsored by The Humble Goat Cheese
Bacon Jalapeño Poppers
Ingredients
Jalapeño Poppers
- 6 fresh jalapeños sliced in half and seeds removed
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 4 oz Goat Cheese softened
- 12 slices of bacon regular sliced not thick, cut in half
- 1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
Homemade Ranch Seasoning
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/4 tsp dried dill
- 1/4 tsp Dried Chives
- 1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
- Pinch Black Pepper
Instructions
- Slice the jalapeño peppers in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and ribs. Leave the stems on. Discard the seeds and ribs.
- Mix the softened cream cheese, goat cheese, and homemade ranch seasoning spices in a small bowl.
- Fill the peppers with the cheese mixture. Don't overfill, or the cheese will ooze out while baking.
- Place cheddar cheese in a flat bowl, turn cream cheese-filled jalapeno peppers upside down, and press into the cheddar cheese until about 1 teaspoon of cheese is stuck on the jalapeno.
- Wrap a slice of bacon around the jalapeño
- Place the prepared jalapeños on an air fryer rack or basket that has been lightly sprayed with cooking spray.
- Bake at 400 for 10-12 minutes or until bacon is browned and crispy
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
