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Crispy Baked Jalapeño Poppers with Cream Cheese

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These crispy baked jalapeño poppers are stuffed with a creamy, spicy cheese filling and coated with crunchy panko breadcrumbs. Perfect for a quick, crowd-pleasing snack or appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 medium fresh jalapeños
  • 8 oz (225 g) full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup (100 g) panko breadcrumbs
  • Olive oil or cooking spray
  • Optional: pinch of garlic powder or smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil.
  2. Wearing gloves, slice each jalapeño in half lengthwise. Use a small spoon to carefully scoop out the seeds and membranes for less heat.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until fully blended and creamy. Add a pinch of garlic powder or smoked paprika if desired.
  4. Using a teaspoon or small scoop, fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture. Pack gently but do not overfill, leaving room for breadcrumbs.
  5. Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs generously over each stuffed jalapeño or gently press the crumbs on top to form a crust.
  6. Drizzle or spray lightly with olive oil over the breadcrumbs to help them crisp up during baking.
  7. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the jalapeños are tender and the topping is golden brown and crispy. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  8. Let the poppers cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Wear gloves when handling jalapeños to avoid skin irritation. Do not overfill the jalapeños to prevent filling from bubbling over. For extra crispiness, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end but watch carefully to avoid burning. Use room temperature cream cheese for smooth filling. Panko breadcrumbs provide the best crunch; crushed cornflakes or tortilla chips can be used as substitutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: jalapeño poppers, baked jalapeño poppers, cream cheese poppers, spicy snack, appetizer, easy recipe, panko breadcrumbs

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/crispy-baked-jalape-n-o-poppers-with-cream-cheese-easy-5-ingredient-recipe/