The Best Jalapeño Poppers
User Reviews
5
The Best Jalapeño Poppers
Description
The Best Jalapeño Poppers recipe begins by mixing cream cheese, shredded pepper jack, lime juice, and spices including garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin, creating a flavorful filling. Jalapeños are trimmed and sliced into rings with seeds and membranes removed to reduce heat. Each ring is packed with the cheese filling, then dipped consecutively into milk, flour, milk again, and breadcrumbs to form a thick coating. The poppers are deep-fried in vegetable oil until golden and crispy. The frying step produces a crunchy shell surrounding the creamy, spicy filling. This snack can be served immediately paired with ranch dressing if desired. The recipe includes tips for adjusting spiciness by careful seed removal and alternative cooking methods such as baking. Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated, though crispness may diminish.
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 1 pound (16 ounces) cream cheese softened
- 6 ounces pepper jack cheese shredded
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (from 2 limes)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin ground
- salt
For the poppers:
- 1 pound jalapeno pepper see note 1
- 2 cups milk whole
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups bread crumbs (see note 2)
- 1 to 2 quarts vegetable oil for frying (see note 3)
- ranch dressing for serving, optional
Instructions
To make the filling:
- In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, pepper jack, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and stir well. Cover and chill while preparing the jalapeños.
To make the poppers:
- Trim off and discard the top and bottom of each jalapeño. Cut each jalapeño into 1-inch rings. Remove the seeds and white inner ribs from each ring (wearing gloves is recommended).
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Pack about 1 teaspoon cream cheese into each jalapeño ring, filling it completely and smoothing the surface.
- Fill three small bowls separately with milk, flour, and breadcrumbs. Working with one popper at a time, dip in milk, then coat with flour. Transfer to the prepared sheet and repeating with remaining jalapeño rings. Let the coating sit for 5 minutes.
- Working with one at a time, return floured jalapeño rings to milk, turning to coat. Transfer to breadcrumbs, pressing the breadcrumbs to form an even coating. Repeat with the remaining poppers.
- In a large pot, Dutch oven, or deep fryer, bring 2 inches of oil to 350 degrees. Drop 4 to 6 poppers in the oil at a time, stirring as necessary until golden brown all over, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with salt. Serve with ranch dressing if desired.
Notes
- Remove all seeds and membranes from jalapeños to reduce heat; gloves are recommended when handling peppers.
- You can use store-bought or homemade breadcrumbs; adding fajita seasoning to breadcrumbs adds extra flavor.
- Choose a neutral, high smoke point oil like vegetable or canola for frying.
- This recipe yields about 30 poppers, serving roughly 10 people with 3 poppers each.
- Leftovers store up to 4 days in the fridge; reheat in oven to retain some crispness or microwave for convenience.
- The filling can be made and stored up to 3 days ahead, and jalapeños can be stuffed the day before for convenience.
- To keep poppers warm before serving, place them on a baking sheet in a 225°F oven for up to 1 hour.
- Baking at 400°F on a wire rack over a baking sheet is an alternative to frying, yielding crispy results in 15–20 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 10servings (3 poppers each)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 424 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 424kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 14g | 5% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 39g | 60% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Cholesterol | 23mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 152mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 107mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 437IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 18mg | 20% |
| Calcium | 84mg | 8% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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