How to Make the Best Jalapeno Poppers: 4 Ingredients

This Jalapeno Poppers recipe is the best ever meal or snack.  But, not just for spicy food lovers!  I will explain how to pick out chili peppers with a lot of heat or with a milder flavor!  With only 4 ingredients they are quick and easy, plus they can be a main dish or a side dish.  “How to Make the Best Jalapeno Poppers: 4 Ingredients”

What makes a jalapeno popper a popper?  

Jalapeno poppers are also called jalapeno bites or jalapeno peppers.  To make a popper, the insides of the pepper are scooped out, and a filling or stuffing is added to the inside of the pepper and then baked in the oven.  

What’s the best dip for jalapeño poppers?

• ranch dressing
• blue cheese dressing
• sweet chili sauce
• sriracha mayo
• jalapeno popper dip – mixture of crispy bacon, cream cheese, mayo, sour cream, garlic powder, shredded cheddar cheese and jalapenos

What ingredients go in jalapeno poppers?  What’s in a jalapeno popper recipe?

Just 4 simple ingredients go into these jalapeno poppers.  

• fresh jalapenos
• cream cheese – best if at room temperature
• canned chicken breast
• shredded cheese
• optional bacon

Jalapeno popper Q&A

How do I cook jalapeno poppers?  Jalapeno poppers can be cooked in the oven, deep fryer or an air fryer.  

Does jalapeno poppers have bacon?  Poppers can be made with bacon or without bacon.  A slice of bacon can be wrapped around each pepper or crispy bacon pieces can be added to the top of the cream cheese mixture that fill the peppers.  

How do you know when jalapeño poppers are ready?  Once the peppers are ready they will be soft.  You can take a fork and check to see if the peppers are soft.  

What goes in stuffed jalapeño poppers?  There are so many options to the ingredients that go into jalapeno poppers.  Start with rich cream cheese, shredded cheese and add your favorite seasonings or ingredients.  I love canned chicken breast in my poppers, but the cream cheese filling options are endless.  Here are a few ideas for your jalapeno recipe:

• bacon or bacon bits
• green onions
• bread crumbs – sprinkled on top to give the pepper some crunch
• different seasonings:  chili powder, garlic powder or onion powder
• different kinds of cheese:  sharp cheese or pepper jack cheese

Why are my jalapeño poppers not spicy?  The heat is in the age of the peppers and not the seeds.  The older jalapenos (spicy peppers) will have white stress lines or specks on the green flesh of the pepper. The younger jalapenos will have no white lines and the flesh will be green and shiny.

Do jalapeños get hotter when they turn red?  YES!  The older jalapenos will have white stress lines or specks on the green flesh of the pepper. The younger jalapenos will have no white lines and the flesh will be green and shiny.

Do you remove seeds from jalapeño poppers?  I do remove the seeds, but the heat of a pepper is not in the seeds.

Can you eat jalapeño poppers the next day?  Yes, jalapeno poppers will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.  

What to eat with bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers?  Jalapeno poppers can be a main dish or a side dish.  A garden salad, veggies or a protein, like baked chicken all go with jalapeno poppers.

How long do cooked jalapeño poppers last in the fridge?  Up to 5 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer.

Is it OK to freeze jalapeño poppers?  Yes, you can freeze jalapeno poppers up to 3 months.

How do you reheat stuffed jalapeno poppers?  I reheat my poppers in the microwave, but they could be reheated in the oven.  

How long do you cook jalapeno poppers in an air fryer?  Cook at 370 degrees for 10-12 minutes.  

Do you flip jalapeno poppers in air fryer?  Flip them halfway thru cooking.  

Do I cut the jalapeno pepper in half or cook a whole jalapeno?  You can make these both ways by slicing the pepper in half or just slicing off the top of each pepper.  

What kind of peppers do I buy for poppers?  For jalapeno poppers buy fresh jalapenos, but you can also make stuffed bell peppers.  Stuff either peppers with the tangy cream cheese mixture and bake.  

Are jalapeno poppers keto-friendly? Yes, this recipe is keto friendly with less than a couple net carbs each.

How do I make jalapeno peppers? 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees f
2. Spray pan with oil or place a sheet of parchment paper on the cookie sheet
3. In a medium bowl, add a can of drained chicken, cream cheese and shredded cheese
4. Combine all ingredients together
5. Most important step – place disposable gloves onto hands 
6. Cut each jalapeno pepper in half, scoop out the seeds and inner membranes
7. Spoon cream cheese mixture into pepper halves
8. Place a single layer of peppers onto a baking sheet
9. Bake time is for 40-45 minutes until golden brown
10. Remove poppers from baking sheet and place them on a paper towel 

Are hot peppers all the same?

Jalapenos peppers will vary on their heat level. I never know how hot they will be. However, after doing a little research, I have found that the older jalapenos are hotter. The older jalapenos will have white stress lines or specks on the green flesh of the pepper. The younger jalapenos have little heat, plus no white lines and the flesh will be green and shiny.

How do I store leftover jalapeno bites, jalapeno poppers or jalapeno peppers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container, freezer bag or plastic wrap covered dish and place into the refrigerator for up to 5 days or the freezer for up to 3 months.  

Homemade jalapeno poppers are an easy appetizer for your next party or football season game day.  Plus, all of the ingredients can be purchased at your local grocery store.  Serve with tortilla chips, dips or any other simple appetizer.

“How to Make the Best Jalapeno Poppers: 4 Ingredients”

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