This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich is spicy, cheesy, and so delicious.
Being that I’m a lover of Mexican food, how could I possibly not celebrate Cinco de Mayo?

This Cinco de Mayo I wanted to make something Mexican, but the only ingredients I had on hand were half Mexican.
Cheddar Cheese ~ yes, Mexican
Jalapeno ~ yes, Mexican
Cream Cheese ~ not so Mexican
Bread ~ so NOT Mexican!
Close enough.![]()
Y’all know Jalapeno Poppers are my biggest weakness when it comes to junk food, and I shamelessly admit that I usually have a box of the cream cheese kind in my freezer, but I only eat them like once a month. I know, I’m so BAD!
After making my own Baked Jalapeno Poppers stuffed with Cream Cheese, I wanted to make something similar in the form of a sandwich, if you will.
It’s ooey, gooey, a little unhealthy, but oh so good! Now all I need is some tequila to wash it down.
Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone… eat, drink, & be merry!!!
This Cinco de Mayo I wanted to make something Mexican, but the only ingredients I had on hand were half Mexican.
Cheddar Cheese ~ yes, Mexican
Jalapeno ~ yes, Mexican
Cream Cheese ~ not so Mexican
Bread ~ so NOT Mexican!
Close enough.![]()
Y’all know Jalapeno Poppers are my biggest weakness when it comes to junk food, and I shamelessly admit that I usually have a box of the cream cheese kind in my freezer, but I only eat them like once a month. I know, I’m so BAD!
After making my own Baked Jalapeno Poppers stuffed with Cream Cheese, I wanted to make something similar in the form of a sandwich, if you will.
It’s ooey, gooey, a little unhealthy, but oh so good! Now all I need is some tequila to wash it down.
DIRECTIONS:
1. Set the oven to BROIL HIGH!![]()
2. Start by slicing and deseeding the jalapeno poppers. You really need 12 poppers at least, I ended up doing this in 2 batches since I wasn’t sure how many to use initially.![]()
3. Into the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, keep checking after 10 minutes on broil.![]()
CREAM CHEESE SPREAD
4. In the meantime, make the cream cheese spread. Add cream cheese and milk to a bowl.![]()
5. Season with garlic powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt.![]()
6. Mix.![]()
7. Grate enough cheddar cheese for the cream cheese spread and the sandwiches.![]()
8. Add 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese to the cream cheese spread.![]()
9. Mix well. Check for seasonings at this point.![]()
10. Check on the jalapeno poppers, this is what they should look like. Love the taste of broiled jalapeno. ![]()
ASSEMBLE
11. Spread the cream cheese spread on each slice of bread. ![]()
12. Top a slice of bread with cheese.![]()
13. Then top with jalapeno.![]()
14. Heat a cast-iron skillet on low to medium heat (dial 3). Once hot, glaze with very little butter. I highly recommend using a cast-iron skillet for that enhanced flavor.![]()
15. Gently place both slices of bread on the skillet. ![]()
16. After about a minute or 2, top the jalapeno with cheddar cheese.![]()
17. Place the other slice of bread over the cheese.![]()
18. Cook on both sides until done. Split in half and serve immediately. ![]()
19. Repeat the assemble steps for the next sandwich. Enjoy!
Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich
INGREDIENTS
For Jalapeno Cream Cheese Mixture
- 12 jalapenos, sliced in half & deseeded & broiled
- 3 ounces Neufchatel cream cheese, or use 1/3 less fat
- 2-3 tbsp whole milk, start with 2 tbsp
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, omit if you can’t handle heat
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/3 tsp salt , use less or more
- 1/2 cup medium cheddar cheese, grated, for cream cheese mixture
For Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- 8 slices whole wheat bread, 2 slices per sandwich
- glaze of butter
- spread mixture, see above, divided into 4
- 1 cup medium cheddar cheese, grated, for the sandwich, divided into 4
INSTRUCTIONS
- Set the oven to BROIL HIGH!
- Start by slicing and deseeding the jalapeno poppers. You really need 12 poppers at least, I ended up doing this in 2 batches since I wasn’t sure how many to use initially.
- Into the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, keep checking after 10 minutes on broil.
- Cream Cheese Spread – In the meantime, make the cream cheese spread. Add cream cheese and milk to a bowl.
- Season with garlic powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt.
- Mix.
- Grate enough cheddar cheese for the cream cheese spread and the sandwiches.
- Add 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese to the cream cheese spread.
- Mix well. Check for seasonings at this point.
- Check on the jalapeno poppers, this is what they should look like. Love the taste of broiled jalapeno. 
- Assemble – Spread the cream cheese spread on each slice of bread. 
- Top a slice of bread with cheese.
- Then top with jalapeno.
- Heat a cast-iron skillet on low to medium heat (dial 3). Once hot, glaze with very little butter. I highly recommend using a cast-iron skillet for that enhanced flavor.
- Gently place both slices of bread on the skillet. 
- After about a minute or 2, top the jalapeno with cheddar cheese.
- Place the other slice of bread over the cheese.
- Cook on both sides until done. Split in half and serve immediately. 
- Repeat the assemble steps for the next sandwich. Enjoy!















