5 from 51 votes
Cheesy Jalapeño Popper Bites
Cheesy Jalapeño Popper Bites are savory finger foods featuring phyllo dough shells filled with a creamy blend of cream cheese, sharp cheddar, mayonnaise, and both fresh and pickled jalapeños. The filling is seasoned with garlic powder and salt, with optional added heat from red pepper flakes or cayenne. Topped with crumbled bacon (or vegetarian bacon bits), these bites deliver a rich, spicy, and crispy appetizer choice for parties or gatherings.
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings:
30
phyllo bites
Calories:
50 kcal
Course:
Appetizer
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 30 phyllo dough shells two 15-count packages, frozen
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 2 TBSP mayonnaise
- 1 cup cheddar cheese grated sharp
- 1 jalapeno pepper
- 3 TBSP jalapeño diced, jarred
- ⅛ tsp garlic powder
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 2-3 TBSP Bacon or veggie bacon bits, crumbled cooked
Instructions
- NOTE: For the jalapeños I like to use both diced jarred jalapeños (they have a pickled nacho-topping vibe to them that's oh so flavorful) and fresh minced jalapeños. You can absolutely use all of one or the other but I find that I adore poppers with both the most.
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Arrange phyllo shells on a baking sheet and set aside.
- Soften cream cheese to room temperature or lightly warm for 15-20 seconds in the microwave. Combine with grated cheddar cheese and mayo. Mix well.
- Remove stem and seeds from jalapeno (or keep the seeds if you want them spicy) and finely mince.
- Add fresh minced jalapeño along with pickled jarred jalapeño to your cheese mixture. Season with garlic powder and a pinch of salt and mix well. For extra heat you can add optional crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
- Spoon mixture into phyllo shells and top with crumbled bacon (or veggie bacon bits if vegetarian) - the bacon can also be skipped and they'll still be super tasty!
- Bake at 375°F for 10-15 minutes until the phyllo is nice and crispy and the cheesy filling is hot and melty. Enjoy!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Using both fresh minced and pickled jalapeños combines fresh heat with pickled tang for a more complex popper flavor.
- Crumbled bacon can be omitted or substituted with vegetarian bacon bits for a meatless version that remains flavorful.
- Adjust the heat level by retaining or removing jalapeño seeds and adding optional crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
- Bake the filled phyllo shells promptly after assembling to maintain crispness and prevent sogginess.
Nutrition Information
Calories
50kcal
(3%)
Carbohydrates
2g
(1%)
Protein
2g
(4%)
Fat
4g
(6%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
8mg
(3%)
Sodium
84mg
(4%)
Potassium
14mg
(0%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
111IU
(2%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
31mg
(3%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 30 phyllo bites
Amount Per Serving
Calories 50
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 50kcal | 3% |
| Carbohydrates | 2g | 1% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 8mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 84mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 14mg | 0% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 111IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 31mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.