Cheese Stuffed Jalapenos with Bacon
Cheese Stuffed Jalapenos with Bacon are bursting with ooey-gooey cheese and promise a spicy, savory kick in every bite. These are sure to steal the spotlight at any gathering with their bold taste. When you need a crowd-pleasing appetizer, stuffed jalapeno peppers are the way to go! Creamy, cheesy, and a little spicy, they’re the kind of appetizer that disappears fast, so you might want to double the batch!
Anytime we go out to eat and see jalapeno stuffed peppers on the menu, we’re ordering them, no question. However, thanks to this easy recipe, we can now whip them up right at home. These baked jalapeno poppers are the perfect game day snack, party appetizer, or side dish, and they come together in no time.
If you enjoy spicy and cheesy bites, be sure to try my cheese balls with cream cheese, creamy corn salad, and my cranberry relish with jalapeno. They are all crowd favorites with a slight kick of heat.
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💗 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Whether you’re hosting a game night, backyard barbecue, or simply craving a flavorful appetizer, these cheesy delights are guaranteed to steal the show and leave your guests coming back for more. Here are some reasons why you’ll fall for these tasty little bites of goodness:
- Quick and Easy: Just mix, stuff, and bake!
- Garden Vegetable: This is a great way to use all of those summertime peppers.
- Perfect Make-Ahead Appetizer: Prep in advance and bake before serving, making them the ideal party food.
- Crowd Favorite: Who can resist spicy peppers and crispy bacon? The most requested game-day snack.
For tips on how to plan a vegetable garden and plant your jalapenos, see this post to get you started.
🛒 Ingredients Needed
This stuffed jalapenos recipe uses simple ingredients. See the recipe card below for more details.
- Jalapenos: You’ll need fresh jalapenos for this recipe. During the summer, I use jalapenos from my garden; however, during the winter, I can purchase them at my local grocery store. You’ll need them halved and seeded to hold the filling.
- Cream Cheese: This is the cheesy filling for these poppers. You’ll need room temperature cream cheese.
- Cheddar Cheese: The mixture of cream cheese and cheddar goes nicely together. Feel free to swap up cheeses for the creamy filling. Pepper Jack Cheese or Colby Cheese work great.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Just a splash to deepen the flavor.
- Bacon: The salty bacon brings the flavors together. Use bacon bits for a shortcut. I have done this many times, and they work just fine.
📖 Recipe Variations
This cream cheese jalapeno popper recipe is versatile. Experiment and make a combination that works for you. Serve these at your next gathering or Super Bowl party. Add these to the table with more of your favorite appetizers.
- Top the peppers with green onions.
- Stuff some sweet peppers with the cream cheese filling.
- Instead of crispy bacon, use shredded chicken, buffalo chicken, or cooked ground pork in the mix.
- Use a variety of cheeses.
- For a crispy topping, mix 1/4 cup of Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs with a tablespoon of melted butter. Add to the top of each pepper.
🔪 How To Make Baked Jalapeno Poppers
You can create a tasty batch of jalapenos with these simple ingredients. All of these items are easily found at your local grocery store throughout the year. Please see the recipe card below for detailed instructions on how to make jalapeno poppers.
Step 1: Prep the Peppers. Cut each pepper in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and membranes. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Wear Gloves! It’s important to wear gloves when slicing jalapeno peppers, as they can irritate and burn the skin.
Step 2: Make the Filling. In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and Worcestershire Sauce. Using a hand mixer or the back of a large spoon, blend the ingredients until smooth and well incorporated. Add the bacon and mix well.
Step 3: Stuff Each Pepper. Using a small spoon, stuff each jalapeno half with the rich cream cheese mixture. Be generous with the filling mixture and distribute it evenly.
Step 4: Bake. Bake the stuffed jalapenos on a greased baking sheet or one lined with parchment paper. Place the peppers in a single layer and bake until the tops are golden brown. Bake at 400°F for about 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese has melted. Serve warm.
Jalapeno Pepper Jelly Canning Recipe is another great appetizer. Serve with cream cheese and crackers, and watch it disappear fast.
💭 Pro Tips
- Wear Gloves: When cutting hot peppers, it is best to wear gloves. I keep a box of disposable gloves on hand for just this reason.
- More Heat: Leave some of the seeds and membrane for added heat.
- Make Ahead: Make ahead and refrigerate unbaked until ready to serve. Just pop into the oven when ready!
- Line Your Pan: Line your pan with foil or parchment paper for easy clean up.
Here is another recipe using jalapenos: Shrimp Jalapeno Poppers. They are awesome!
❔ Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can freeze the peppers, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The cheese seems to separate once thawed, and the outcome is just not the same.
Fridge: Store in an airtight container up to 3 days in the fridge.
Reheat: Reheat in a 350-degree oven for 10 minutes or until heated through.
Yes, other peppers, such as sweet mini peppers, taste great and work nicely with this filling for cheese stuffed jalapenos. This makes a great milder version and a less spicy food.
More Make Ahead Appetizers
If you’ve tried these Cheesy Stuffed Jalapenos with Bacon or any other recipe on my blog, please consider leaving a 🌟 star rating and sharing your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Cheese Stuffed Jalapenos with Bacon
Ingredients
- 20 medium jalapeno peppers
- 8oz. block cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 3-4 slices Bacon, cooked You can use 2 tablespoons of bacon bits for convenience
Instructions
- ***When cutting hot peppers, it is best to wear gloves. See tips below.
- Cut the jalapenos in half lengthwise, remove the seeds and membranes. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and Worcestershire Sauce. Using a hand mixer or the back of a large spoon, blend the ingredients until smooth and well incorporated. Add the bacon and mix well.
- Using a small spoon, stuff each jalapeño half with the rich cream cheese mixture. Be generous with the filling mixture and distribute it evenly.
- Bake the stuffed jalapenos on a greased baking sheet or parchment paper lined baking sheet. Place the peppers in a single layer and bake until the tops are golden brown. Bake at 400 degrees for about 20-25 minutes or until cheese has melted. Serve warm.
With every bite, you get a little kick of heat with a big taste of cheesy goodness.