Smooth cream cheese meets bold, spicy jalapeños for a bite that packs a punch.
September is approaching, which means it’s almost football season! And what better way to gear up for Sunday football than by planning all the delicious snacks you plan to serve? That’s right: a table full of snacks doesn’t have to be only for the big Super Bowl game. You can enjoy some of your favorite appetizers whenever your team plays. Most think of classics like chicken wings when considering football snacks, but I’m partial to the ever-so-creamy, perfectly spicy jalapeño poppers.
Plump, vibrant jalapeños, freshly picked and carefully hollowed, filled to the brim with rich cream and cheddar cheese. Shake a little garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper before baking, and you have a plate of irresistible finger food. If you bring this jalapeño popper recipe to a football watch party (or, honestly, any party), all you’ll have at the end of the night is an empty dish and a room full of smiles.
Are Cream Cheese Jalapeño Poppers Healthy?
Since they’re low-carb and low-calorie, cream cheese jalapeño poppers are pretty healthy depending on your dietary needs and goals. Plus, these spicy little poppers are baked, not fried, meaning they are lower in fat and saturated fat than many typical football game snacks. That said, cream cheese jalapeño poppers are not fat-free, so if you are monitoring your caloric intake, you’ll want to watch your portions.
How can I adjust the heat level of cream cheese jalapeño poppers?
Jalapeño poppers are not only for our spice lovers out there. You can easily adjust the heat level so anyone can partake in a popper or two. The trick is to focus on the jalapeño seeds and pith, or the white membrane that runs vertically on the inside. Both contain the most capsaicin, the chemical that gives the peppers their heat. After cutting your jalapeños lengthwise, scrape the seeds and pith with a paring knife or a similar tool. Wear gloves to avoid getting the capsaicin on your fingertips, as it can linger for hours after cutting. I have definitely rubbed my eyes after cooking with jalapeños, and I can confirm that you do NOT want to experience that discomfort.
If removing the seeds and pith of your jalapeño was not enough to bring down the heat of your dish, you can soak your jalapeños in milk or vinegar for 15 minutes before stuffing with cheese. Soaking in milk will make your peppers mild, while soaking in vinegar will temper the heat without destroying the flavor.
If you like (or love) spice, adjust how much goes into your poppers by leaving the seeds and pith intact, or just remove a portion. As for me, I’m leaving them all in. Call me crazy, but I love a pepper that keeps me sniffling.
INGREDIENTS
- 12 medium jalapeño peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep
Preheat oven and prepare jalapeños.
Mix
Combine cheeses and seasonings.
Bake
Fill jalapeños and bake until bubbly.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
If you’re throwing a football-watching party, making the food ahead of time will be a lifesaver! Thankfully, these delicious cream cheese jalapeño poppers can be assembled ahead of time right up until the baking stage. You can store your ready-to-bake poppers in your fridge for up to 3-5 days; just make sure to use an airtight container to keep them extra fresh. 20 minutes before your guests arrive, simply throw them in the oven so you and your friends can enjoy hot, creamy jalapeño poppers.
When ingredient shopping for this recipe, you may be wondering how to spot the perfect jalapeño. If spicy is the goal, you’ll want to opt for firm, bright green jalapeños with stretch marks. The bright green color means the jalapeño is ripe, and the stretch marks indicate the stress a pepper has been under. These two factors make for a very spicy jalapeño. If you’re looking for a milder pepper, a darker green, black, or even red jalapeño without stretch marks will be way sweeter.
If you’re going for a wow factor, I highly suggest full-fat, fresh cream, and cheddar cheese. While not the healthiest option for a low-fat diet, full-fat cheese and a grated, fresh block of cheddar (instead of pre-shredded) really does make a difference in flavor. Sometimes, you have to live a little, so if you’re celebrating with jalapeño poppers, why not enjoy the full experience if you can?
Serving Suggestions
It’s not a football-watching party without a table full of tasty finger foods! Front and center can be the jalapeño poppers, but what else makes the ultimate party menu? I think a classic that almost everyone can get behind is chicken wings: garlic and parmesan, and honey BBQ are all favorites of mine. I’d also love a scoop of buffalo chicken dip on my plate, as well as a healthy pile of nachos. And I’d never be fully satisfied if I didn’t end with something sweet, so how about these Greek yogurt brownies?
Cream Cheese Jalapeño Poppers
Ingredients
- 12 medium jalapeño peppers halved lengthwise and seeded
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
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In a bowl, mix together cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
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Fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the jalapeños are tender and the cheese is bubbly.
Nutrition
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