Description
Vegetarian Cheesy Jalapeño Poppers deliver a spicy kick that’ll make your taste buds dance with excitement. Creamy cheese, crispy breading, and zesty peppers create a perfect snack for game day or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 10 fresh jalapeños
- 4 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Breading and Seasoning:
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Dipping Sauce:
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 clove garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash 10 jalapeños and slice them lengthwise. Remove seeds completely, keeping the halves intact on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Your poppers will look neat and uniform.
- Mix 4 oz softened cream cheese, ½ cup cheddar, ½ cup mozzarella, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp black pepper in a bowl until creamy and smooth.
- Scoop the cheese mixture generously into each jalapeño half, mounding slightly so the filling looks plump and inviting.
- Combine 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 2 tbsp melted butter, and ¼ cup Parmesan in a separate bowl. The mixture will create a golden, crunchy exterior.
- Sprinkle the breadcrumb blend over each stuffed jalapeño, pressing gently to help the coating stick firmly to the cheese.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Arrange the poppers on the baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes until the tops turn deep golden and the cheese bubbles around the edges.
- For extra crispiness, broil the poppers for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning. Your poppers should emerge with a beautiful, crackling crust.
Notes
- Handle jalapeños carefully and wear gloves to prevent skin irritation from the capsaicin.
- For milder poppers, remove all seeds and membranes, which contain most of the heat.
- Ensure cheese filling is at room temperature for easier mixing and smoother spreading.
- Arrange poppers on a wire rack while baking to help maintain their crispiness and prevent soggy bottoms.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-20 minutes (oven) or 8-10 minutes (air fryer)
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg