Jalapeño Poppers have been one of our favorite appetizers for about as long as we can remember.
We love ordering these when we eat out at one of our favorite Mexican or Tex-Mex restaurants. Heck, we love these poppers so much, that we even like the frozen version. But these homemade Jalapeño Poppers made at home beat ’em all! And they are a snap to prepare!
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How To Make Jalapeño Poppers
This really is an authentic and easy jalapeño popper recipe.
You can use fresh jalapeños or pickled whole jalapeños. We prefer the pickled variety.
The filling for this amazing appetizer is nothing more than your favorite melting cheese(s) and cooked smoked bacon.
We use a combination of mild cheddar and Monterey Jack. For easy clean-up, we just cook 3 strips of thick-cut smoked bacon on a baking sheet lined with foil.
EXPERT TIP: It will be easier to stuff the peppers if the cheese and bacon are finely chopped. We use a large knife to achieve this. We also add a few splashes of hot sauce to help bring it all together.
How To Prep Whole Stuffed Jalapenos
Regardless of you are using pickled whole jalapeños or fresh jalapeños, you are going to want to remove the seeds and the inner ribs of the pepper to reduce the spice level.
Most of the heat in a jalapeño comes from the seeds and the ribs on the interior of the pepper. Learn more here.
EXPERT TIP: To remove the seeds and ribs, we HIGHly recommend using protective gloves. You do not want to expose your eyes or skin to the spice from the pepper. With gloves on, simply take a small sharp knife and cut a slit, lengthwise, down the pepper. If using fresh, also cut a perpendicular slit at the top, making a ‘T.’ Now, use your fingers to scrape out the seeds and ribs. It’s okay if the pepper tears a bit, the breading will hold it all together during the frying process. Stuff with the cheese/bacon filling.
Now, it’s time to bread the poppers.
Simply set up a dredging station with 3 bowls or pans. Add flour to the first pan, egg & milk to the second, and bread crumbs with seasoned salt to the third.
EXPERT TIP: Peppers have fairly slippery skin on them, even the pickled ones. To help the flour adhere to the stuffed peppers, dip them first in water and then immediately transfer to the flour. Dredge through the egg/milk mixture and then the bread crumbs. For a fully covered pepper, repeat the process again (except dipping in water).
To Fry or to Bake?
The classic way to cook these gems is to give them a quick deep-fry. After they have all been breaded, then carefully add them to your deep-fryer or a sturdy skillet (i.e., cast-iron) with about 1 inch of vegetable oil. Use a thermometer to ensure the oil reaches 345°F.
When frying, it only takes about 4 to 5 minutes to reach the perfect golden color.
EXPERT TIP: You can certainly make baked jalapeño poppers, too. You won’t get the super crispy exterior, but they will still be wonderful. Preheat your oven to 375°F and place the stuffed peppers on a baking sheet. Bake for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the breading is crisp and the cheese is good and melty when it’s split in half.
How and When To Serve
This classic appetizer is perfect for game-day celebrations, parties, or just a fun afternoon at home with the kids.
We love serving them with a bowl of cool sour cream, or even Homemade Ranch.
These are always the first to go when we serve to family and friends.
As you might expect, these jalapeños will carry some heat. Even when you remove the seeds and ribs.
However, if you do truly remove all the seeds and ribs, the spice level is low to medium.
EXPERT TIP: We do think these are best served right from the fryer (or oven), but you can certainly reheat them in a 350°F oven for about 30 to 40 minutes until crisp and heated through. We recommend flipping them half-way through the reheating process.
Other Amazing Party Appetizers to Try
Loaded Potato Skins
Tex-Mex Queso
Sausage and Cheddar Fritters
Ham and Swiss Sliders
Garlic Parmesan Wings
Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
In the meantime, you just gotta go and make these awesome homemade Jalapeño Poppers!
Ready to make the best Tex-Mex appetizer this side of the Alamo? Go for it!
And when you do, be sure to take a photo, post it on Instagram, and tag @HowToFeedaLoon and hashtag #HowToFeedaLoon
Jalapeno Poppers
Video
Equipment
- Deep fryer, or sturdy skillet filled with 1-inch of vegetable oil. Or, baking sheet, if baking.
Ingredients
- 12 jalapenos pickled or fresh
- 3 strips bacon thick-cut, smoked, cooked and finely chopped
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese grated
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese grated
- 3 dashes hot sauce optional
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 cup bread crumbs plain, dry
- 1 teaspoon Adobo seasoning
- vegetable oil for frying
- ½ cup sour cream for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat oil to 345°F in deep-fryer or sturdy skillet. use a deep-fry/candy thermometer to gauge temperature)
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the crumbled cooked bacon, both kinds of cheese, and the hot sauce (if using).
- Use a small sharp knife to cut a slit, lengthwise, down one side of each jalapeño. If using fresh, cut another slit perpendicular to the lengthwise slite, forming a 'T' on the side of the pepper. Use your fingers (with protective gloves) to dig out the seeds and ribs. You may need to use your knife to help you get it all with the fresh pepper. Stuff each pepper solidly with the cheese/bacon mixture. Set aside.
- Set up your dredging station by placing the flour in a dish or on a plate. Lightly beat eggs in a small bowl and stir in the milk. Place the bread crumbs and Adobo seasoning in a dish or a separate plate, and mix together. Line the 3 up next to each other.
- Fill a small bowl of water and place it next to your dredging station. Start by dipping one pepper into the water to moisten. Quickly add to the flour and roll around, shaking off excess flour. Add to the egg/milk mixture, and turn to coat, shaking off excess egg. Dredge all over through the bread crumb mixture. Repeat the process, except dipping in the water. Set aside and repeat with remaining peppers.
- Fry peppers in batches, stirring occasionally, until golden brown all over, about 6 minutes per batch. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. If baking, place on a baking sheet pan and place in a preheated oven at 375°F for 30 to 45 minutes, until golden.
- Serve with cool sour cream for dipping.
Notes
Nutrition
POST UPDATE: This recipe was originally published in August 2018, but was updated with improved tweaks to the recipe, new tips and photography, and a fabulous new video in September 2020!
Makayla says
Can you air fry these and if so at what temp?
Kris Longwell says
Hi Makayla, while we haven’t air fried these poppers before, you shouldn’t have any issues. Spray the basket with oil (or cooking spray) and air fry at 375°F, for 10 to 12 minutes, turning once. Or, until they are browned and crispy. Let us know how they turn out! Best, Kris & Wesley
Mark Hall says
Pickled my own jalapeño pepper because in the NE canned are are not available. I usually fry them but this time I tried baking them, (my wife didn’t want the smell or the mess!!) I would recommend spraying with a vegetable oil before baking to provide some color. Still great, but I recommend that fried is 100% better.
Kris Longwell says
HI Mark! Homemade pickled jalapenos are the BEST! And we totally get it…baking them is just fine…but, nothing really beats the super crispy deep-fried kind! LOL!! Gotta keep the spouse happy! That’s what it’s all about! Best, Kris & Wesley
Carrie says
Is it possible at any stage to freeze a batch of these to pop in the oven later?
Kris Longwell says
Hi Carrie, you can make them before baking or frying and then freeze them. Let them thaw and then proceed with the recipe as written. Let us know how they turn out. All the best, Kris & Wesley
Mark says
OMG- said it before- these are the best I ever had. Had pickle my own jalapeños. Even better
Kris Longwell says
Woo hoo, Mark!! That’s is very impressive!! Homemade pickled jalapenos are awesome!! Thanks for letting us know!! Best, Kris & Wesley
Mark Hall says
Definitely the best I’ve had in a restaurant or made! You guys are fantastic!
Kris Longwell says
Mark! That is SO AWESOME to hear! Sorry for the delayed response but thank you so much for letting us know and we are so happy you had such great success with the poppers!! All the very best, Kris & Wesley
Julia says
I can’t wait to make these! They look scrumptious. I enjoy watching the demonstrations you provide. Informational and upbeat with so much charm.
Matt says
Nice, I have a ton of Jalepenos from my garden I’m trying to use. I’ll give it a go.
Kris Longwell says
That is so awesome!! Let us know if you make them and what you think!! Best, Kris & Wesley
Tarre B Smith says
Looks great! Can’t wait to try these. Just a heads up for those who haven’t done much with japs in the past … I always wear a glove – either the disposable food service gloves or your rubbermaid dishwashing gloves. Handling any part of the pepper other than the stem burns my skin and even if it didn’t, there would still be heat left and invariably will rub my eye, ear, etc., and the resulting burning can be miserable!
krislongwell says
Hi Terri!! You are SO CORRECT! Protective gloves is always a good idea when working with hot peppers. Boy, have I learned that the hard way a few times over the years!! Thanks…I’m going to update the recipe to include this. You are awesome! Best, Kris & Wesley
Allie @ Sip & Spice says
These look so amazing! The concept of jalapeño poppers is genius, but they’re always so soggy and disappointing. You guys may have found the cure!! can’t wait to try them 🙂
krislongwell says
Hey Allie! These are really nice and crunchy, and not soggy at all. Give ’em a go. We LOVE them!! Let us know how they turn out. Thanks!