March 26, 2012 46 Comments

Baked Jalapeno Poppers stuffed with Cream Cheese (gluten-free, lightened up)

Name: Baked Jalapeno Poppers stuffed with Cream Cheese (gluten-free, lightened up)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
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

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!

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