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Spicy fried jalapeno poppers are a classic appetizer that everyone wants! Bite into these cheesy poppers for a flavor explosion!
Served on their own, or dipped in Ranch Dressing, they are just as tasty as our Jalapeño Popper Dip!
We Love This Spicy Dessert!
Jalapeno poppers are one of my favorite go-to appetizer recipes. These little bites of heaven are fried until they are golden brown, and all that cream cheese goodness is melted inside.
They’re perfect for people who love a good amount of spice, crunch, and cheesiness (they’re similar to our Sausage Stuffed Jalapeños).
Why we love them:
- Quick. They’re ready in only 15 minutes!
- Easy. Don’t be intimidated by the deep-frying portion of this recipe. It’s super easy – I promise!
- Tasty. A classic appetizer, jalapeño poppers are warm, cheesy, and delicious.
If you love jalapeño poppers as much as we do, then you should try our Jalapeño Popper Dip!
Ingredients
- cream cheese
- cheddar cheese
- jalapeno peppers – We chose common green or TAM chili peppers, which are fairly mild. You can use a hotter pepper like red or Huachinango chile peppers.
- milk
- all-purpose flour
- bread crumbs – make the poppers a little more crunchy by mixing panko bread crumbs into the regular bread crumbs.
- vegetable oil – or another oil with a high smoking point like canola oil or peanut oil.
Jalapeno Tips
- Heat levels. Several varieties of jalapenos vary in heat levels, and each one can work in this recipe. Lower the level of heat by removing the white membrane and seeds from the center.
- Picking peppers. Look at their skin. Younger peppers that have clear, smooth, shiny skin are less spicy than older peppers whose drier skin has stress marks, flecks, or white lines on it.
- Choose larger jalapenos, so they can hold a good amount of the cream cheese filling.
How to Make Jalapeno Poppers
- FILLING. Mix cream cheese and shredded cheese in a bowl. Spoon a few tablespoons of this mixture into the pepper halves.
- BREADING. Place milk, flour, and bread crumbs in separate bowls. Dip jalapenos in milk, then flour, then back in milk. Dip peppers in bowl with bread crumbs making sure it is all coated. (To make sure they are coated, re-dip in milk and back in breadcrumbs)
- FRY. Heat oil in a skillet on medium-high heat. Fry jalapeno peppers for a few minutes or until golden brown.
- SERVE. Let drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Serve warm with Homemade Ranch Dip, Avocado Lime Ranch Dip, Café Rio Cilantro Lime Dressing, or Chipotle Ranch Dressing.
Alternative Cooking Methods
Oven-baked poppers. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, place the poppers on the pan, and bake for about 20 minutes, until golden brown and the cheese is melted inside.
Air fryer jalapeno poppers. Turn the air fryer to 375°F. Cook them for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown. Turn them halfway through, so they cook evenly.
How to prepare jalapenos
Wear gloves. If you are not used to working with jalapenos or are using a spicy variety, I recommend wearing gloves. The oils can cause mild skin irritation, to uncomfortable burning. Above all, DO NOT touch your face or eyes.
- Slice the jalapeno lengthwise.
- When opened you will notice a membrane with seeds. This is where most of the heat comes from.
- For the mildest popper, use a spoon to scrape out all of the membranes and seeds. To increase the heat, leave some of them in.
Blanch the peppers. For a softer jalapeno popper, you can blanch them, but it is not necessary.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil.
- Place the cut and prepared jalapenos in the water for about 90 seconds.
- Remove and add them directly into a bowl of ice water.
- Pat dry before stuffing, coating, and frying.
VARIATIONS
Bread crumbs. Add extra flavor by seasoning the bread crumbs with salt, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, or onion powder.
Change the filling. Create different flavors:
- bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers
- mushrooms with goat cheese
- sharp cheddar cheese and ground beef
- chorizo
- crabmeat, green chiles, and mayo
- refried beans and salsa
Storing info
- STORE. Jalapeño poppers are best fresh! But if you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Heat them in the oven at 400°F for about 10-15 minutes.
- FREEZE. Place coated jalapenos on a platter, and then in the freezer. Once they are solid, transfer them to a freezer Ziploc.
- To fry, allow them to sit at room temperature while the oil is heating up. Fry until warm and golden.
For More Tasty Appetizers:
Jalapeno Poppers Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 10-12 jalapeno peppers halved and seeded
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Mix cream cheese and shredded cheese in a bowl. Spoon a few tablespoons of this mixture into the pepper halves.
- Place milk, flour, and bread crumbs in separate bowls. Dip jalapenos in milk, then flour, then back in milk. Dip peppers in bowl with bread crumbs making sure it is all coated. (To make sure they are coated, re-dip in milk and back in breadcrumbs)
- Heat oil in a skillet on medium-high heat. Fry jalapeno peppers for a few minutes or until golden brown.
- Let drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Serve warm with ranch or other dipping sauces.
Video
Notes
- STORE. Jalapeño poppers are best fresh! But if you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Heat them in the oven at 400°F for about 10-15 minutes.
- FREEZE. Place coated jalapenos on a platter, and then in the freezer. Once they are solid, transfer them to a freezer Ziploc.
- To fry, allow them to sit at room temperature while the oil is heating up. Fry until warm and golden.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
LOVE!!
Here’s a time saving tip: instead of dipping in milk and flour and milk again — mix your milk and flour along with a pinch of salt and pepper until it makes a nice paste. Dip the peppers in this paste then the breading. It will cling so much better. Try it!
(I do this with fried fish and chicken too!)
Thanks for the suggestion!
These are one of my favorite party foods! So cheesy and delicious.
These were a hit!! I made them for our game night with friends and everyone raved about them. Thank you!
You’re welcome! I’m so glad to hear the poppers were a hit!
These homemade poppers are WAY better than any store bought or frozen version! I’ll never go back!!
My favorite appetizer. These are so simple, and so good!!
Thanks for the jalapeno and spice tips. I left in some of the membrane and seeds in a few of the poppers because half my family is nuts and LOVES to have their mouths burn. For the sane half I made mild poppers.
So much better than store-bought jalapeno poppers! These have the perfect amount of spice. Our family gobbled them up.
Jalapenos are usually a little too spicy for me but the coolness of the cream cheese offsets it perfectly and creates just the right amount of kick.
These are my husband’s favorites! They are so easy to make & SO tasty!