Skip the unhealthy version and make this… Baked Jalapeno Poppers stuffed with Cream Cheese.
Confession. TGIF’s Cream Cheese stuffed Jalapeno Poppers are my most favorite processed food item, and I always have a box sitting in the freezer.
Friends and family who are super close to me know that jalapeno poppers are my biggest weakness, obviously I eat them in moderation.
After poppers, I’d have to say my next 2 favorite processed food items are frozen samosas and then Mrs. Smith’s Dutch Crumble Apple Pie which I only bake on special occasions. Okay okay, that’s it! That’s seriously all the bad “processed” food I eat, the rest is usually healthy, or at least anything you can find at Whole Foods.
Whenever my girlfriends come over, I ALWAYS offer them jalapeno poppers with tea… I’m beginning to think it’s just a strategy I use so I can eat them too, and a food lover loves company.
Recently, I had about 10 jalapenos sitting in the refrigerator and it occurred to me to make poppers. My version is slightly lighter since they are baked, not fried. Give these baked poppers a try and let me know what you think.
baked jalapeno poppers are:
Baked, not fried
Flavorful
Cheesy
Vegetarian
Comfort Food
How to make Baked Jalapeno Poppers step by step:
1. Start by pre-heating the oven at 350 degrees.
2. In a bowl, add bread crumbs, 1/2 to 1 tsp of Cayenne Pepper, black pepper, garlic powder, and salt. Mix. Set aside.
3. In another bowl, add the egg and egg whites. Mix. Set aside.
4. In a plate, add the flour. Set aside.
5. To make the cream cheese filling, add the cream cheese, milk, and cheese to a bowl.
6. Stir until all the ingredients are well-incorporated.
7. Add 1/2 tsp of Cayenne Pepper, or you can omit this completely. Mix.
8. Slice the jalapenos in half lengthwise. Deseed them completely, this is where all the heat in the jalapenos lies.
9. Now using a spoon, stuff each half jalapeno with cream cheese.
10. Once completed, dip the jalapeno in flour first. Roll it well to make sure all sides are well-coated. Remove the access flour.
11. Then dip the jalapeno in the egg batter completely.
12. Then roll the jalapeno in the breadcrumbs making sure you get all the sides.
13. Place the popper (cream cheese side up) on a foiled tray.
14. Into the oven for 25-30 minutes. I baked mine for 30, but I suggest checking after 25.
15. This is what you should have… looks soooooooooooooo good. I wasn’t too happy with all the cheese oozing out since I would have preferred the cheese inside, so I suggest checking the poppers after 25 minutes.
16. Serve with ketchup, or any sweet sauce. These babies are SPICY!
Baked Jalapeno Poppers stuffed with Cream Cheese (gluten-free, lightened up)
Ingredients
- 9 jalapenos sliced in half & deseeded
- for the breadcrumbs
- 3/4 cup Italian flavored bread crumbs
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- for the cream cheese
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 cup Mexican blend cheese
- 2-3 tbsp milk
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- for the rest
- 1 egg
- 1 egg white
- 1/2 cup white flour
Instructions
- Start by pre-heating the oven at 350 degrees.
- In a bowl, add bread crumbs, 1/2 to 1 tsp of Cayenne Pepper, black pepper, garlic powder, and salt. Mix. Set aside.
- In another bowl, add the egg and egg whites. Mix. Set aside.
- In a plate, add the flour. Set aside.
- To make the cream cheese filling, add the cream cheese, milk, and cheese to a bowl.
- Stir until all the ingredients are well-incorporated.
- Add 1/2 tsp of Cayenne Pepper, or you can omit this completely. Mix.
- Slice the jalapenos in half lengthwise. Deseed them completely, this is where all the heat in the jalapenos lies.
- Now using a spoon, stuff each half jalapeno with cream cheese.
- Once completed, dip the jalapeno in flour first. Roll it well to make sure all sides are well-coated. Remove the access flour.
- Then dip the jalapeno in the egg batter completely.
- Then roll the jalapeno in the breadcrumbs making sure you get all the sides.
- Place the popper (cream cheese side up) on a foiled tray.
- Into the oven for 25-30 minutes. I baked mine for 30, but I suggest checking after
- This is what you should have… looks soooooooooooooo good. I wasn’t too happy with all the cheese oozing out since I would have preferred the cheese inside, so I suggest checking the poppers after 25 minutes.
- Serve with ketchup, or any sweet sauce. These babies are SPICY!
Wow these look amazing…what is it about cheese and jalapenos that go so well together? I don't care if the cheese which the cinema serves nachos with is processed- I love every bite of that gooey goodness! Another processed favorite is undoubtedly Oreos: trans fat or not, I will never rule them out of my diet!
This is a favorite treat here in Texas. While I have many of these, I never really taken the time to make them. Most likely due to the mess of deep frying, but your method here does put a whole new spin on things. Baking is healthier and easier. These do look quite addictive-yum!
I used to love the mozzarella sticks that TGIF used to sell in the frozen section. Those were amazing!! And the Texas Toast from Pepperidge Farm I think? But I haven't had either in a long, long time now!
These look delicious.
These. Sound. Amazing. Such a good party food!
xo Josie
http://www.winksmilestyle.com
Your first picture is just drool inducing. 🙂
Yum!! Those look even tastier than the frozen jalapeno poppers. My processed food weakness is Hot & Spicy cheez its. They are so addicting.
Mandy
Kini Style & Klury.com
I love that you said "live a little!" Haha! These look amazing. This recipe will come in handy when I have to be domestic and host a dinner party in the near future! 🙂
The flavors of peppers and cream cheese sound amazing. What a cleaver idea to make this. I am going to try this recipe out soon and will let you know how it turned out.
I definitely do not like jalapenos at all. However these look so fancy I think I might just make them for my next dinner party! xo
Oh flippin YUM!!!!! thats all i can say!!!
love K
ooo, this looks amazing. I think these will be very enjoyable to make and will cater to many peoples tastes. At first sight I thought it was some sort of chicken dish but when I learned of the ingredients i was even more intrigued.
@Khushboo – of course, Oreo cookies rock! Love them too.. a good alternative is Newman's version of the Oreo cookies, more natural.
@Ameena – I have to taste this Texas Toast from Pepperidge Farm.. never heard of it. I used to eat Giorgino's (something like that) Mozzarella sticks growing up.
@Mandy – I love anything hot and spicy.. cheez its are yummy!
@Parita – that's my philosophy on life. Life a little so I'll try most things at least once.
Thanks everyone! Just make sure to use Cayenne Pepper, NOT "red chili powder."
ohmygoodnessYES.
I have yet to try these people-pleasing appetizers. I've saved this for the weekend!
The guys will really love this treat for their Friday get togethers…The hubby will love me more 😉
I love poppers and haven't really replicated the recipe at home. Your's turned out so well 🙂
Thanks guys. This recipe is a sure crowd pleaser.
Why would you get rid of all the natural delicious heat from the jalapenos, and instead add yucky cayenne pepper, which will stay in your mouth all day?
@Anonymous – the seeds of the jalapeño are very hot for me. I prefer the cayenne pepper. You can certainly leave the seeds in.
I stuffed mine with chive and onion cream cheese and followed your recipe…..they were awesome!!!!!!
@Anonymous – smart! I'm so glad that worked out for you. 🙂
Just made these with peppers from our garden. Delicious! Thanks!
Tried these today and they were a hit. Obviously, best right out of the oven but amazing for being so "healthy" nonetheless. Thank you!
Can you make these adeah of time and bake them when needed?
@Anonymous – I didn't try making these ahead of time, but perhaps you can try with 4 pieces and see how they turn out. I'm not sure if they will get soggy. Sorry.
So yummy! Made these tonight, they were great! did not add the cayenne, just used 1/4 chili powder in each, the crumbs and the cream cheese. Husband LOVED them!!! Thank you!
Tried these tonight. They were great! 🙂
And for anyone wanting to make them ahead of time… I assembled them about an hour early and just stuck them on a foil covered cookie sheet in the fridge. They did fine.
@Anonymous – thank you so much for your feedback. I'm so glad these worked out for you and you made them an hour in advance. Nice. Merry Christmas. 🙂
Serve with ketchup? Are you serious? YUCK!
@Anonymous – sorry you don't like ketchup, serve it with something else.
🙂
Hi,
Made these for memorial day, while we had some friends over. Great Recipe !! I am new to your blog, love reading about your NYC adventures, recipes, & fashion fun 🙂
Komal
Komal – Thanks.. so glad you liked it. I wanna re-work this recipe, I feel like I can skip the flour. Awww.. that's so sweet of you to say, I'm glad you enjoy reading about my NYC escapes, recipes, and all about my shopping addiction. 🙂
I looked up this recipe this morning because I had a few jalapenos from our garden. My husband and I just polished them off as our appetizer. We dipped them in ranch. Oh my goodness. So delicious. This recipe is a keeper. Thank you!!!
Ooooh.. I'm so happy you enjoyed this. Ranch dressing sounds like a great idea. Thanks for sharing your feedback. Much appreciated.
Can these be prepared ahead of time and frozen? Thanks!!
@Jennifer – I don’t think that will be a problem. I haven’t tried it, but it should be okay. Let me know how it turns out.
This Was Amazing.
I Love this!
I love You!
Marry me 😉
Just kidding, i made these with a ‘Garlan, cheddar and Blue Cheese’-filling.
It tasted superb!
Thank you
Haha. I’m so glad this turned out well. Thanks for the feedback!
We stuffed them with cheddar, with jack, with pepper jack, with cream cheese, with bacon mixed with lots of other things, and we ended up with two favorites.
The jalapeños in my garden went crazy this year so I’m now on my third batch of jalapeño poppers… This recipe came out so good so I use this one each time!
Thanks for sharing. I appreciate it so much! xoxo