Crispy Baked Cream Cheese Jalapeño Poppers
These crispy baked jalapeño poppers feature a melty cream cheese center with a spicy kick, baked to a golden crunch without frying. Perfect for quick snacks or entertaining, they balance heat, creaminess, and crunch with simple ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 12 medium fresh jalapeños, halved and seeded
- 8 ounces (225g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (55g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup (100g) panko breadcrumbs (or gluten-free crackers/almond flour for gluten-free)
- 1 large egg, beaten
- Optional: pinch of smoked paprika
- Optional: substitute cheddar with pepper jack cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Slice each jalapeño in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out the seeds and membranes. Pat dry on paper towels.
- In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and well blended.
- Stuff each jalapeño half generously with the cream cheese mixture.
- Set up two bowls: one with beaten egg and one with panko breadcrumbs.
- Dip each stuffed jalapeño half into the egg, letting excess drip off, then roll in breadcrumbs to coat evenly. For extra crunch, double dip by repeating the egg and breadcrumb step.
- Place the coated poppers cut side up on the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and jalapeños are tender. Check at 15 minutes and tent with foil if browning too fast.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Pat jalapeños dry after seeding to ensure coating sticks and stays crispy. Use softened cream cheese for smooth filling. Double coating with egg and breadcrumbs adds extra crunch. Rotate pan halfway through baking for even browning. For smoky flavor, add smoked paprika or broil last 1-2 minutes carefully. To reheat, bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes to maintain crispiness. Freeze individually before storing for best results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 jalapeño popper ha
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 3
Keywords: jalapeño poppers, baked jalapeño poppers, cream cheese poppers, crispy snack, easy appetizer, spicy snack, baked snack