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Easy Baked Jalapeño Poppers

Close-up of baked jalapeño poppers stuffed with cheese and browned on top, ready to eat.

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Make simple, spicy, and cheesy jalapeño poppers baked until golden brown.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 fresh jalapeño peppers
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • Cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly coat with cooking spray.
  2. Wear gloves to handle the peppers. Slice each jalapeño lengthwise and use a small spoon or knife to carefully remove the seeds and white membranes. This controls the heat level.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Mix until smooth and fully incorporated.
  4. Spoon or pipe the cheese mixture evenly into the hollowed-out jalapeño halves. Do not overfill.
  5. Place the panko breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. Gently press the top (cheese side) of each stuffed pepper into the breadcrumbs to coat lightly.
  6. Arrange the poppers, cheese-side up, on the prepared baking sheet.
  7. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese filling is bubbly and lightly browned.
  8. Let the poppers cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Wear gloves when cutting the jalapeños to prevent skin irritation from the capsaicin.
  • For extra flavor, wrap half a slice of bacon around each stuffed pepper before breading and baking. Adjust cooking time if using bacon.
  • If you prefer a crispier coating, lightly spray the breaded poppers with cooking spray before baking.

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