This stuffed jalapeno popper recipe is the ultimate Super Bowl appetizer. They are filled with cream cheese, onion and garlic powder, and lots of cilantro, topped with melty cheese and barbeque potato chips for that added oomph.
This version is meatless, so it’s an excellent option for your vegetarian friends. All that creamy cheese balances out the heat from the jalapeno peppers, making them one of the best game-day appetizers! Plus, these are super easy to whip up and pretty healthy as they are baked and not fried.
The best part is that you can experiment with different fillings for the stuffed jalapeno poppers. You can try bacon and cheese combinations or even chicken. You can also add panko breadcrumbs or use various cheeses and herbs to amp it up.
Ingredients
- 12 large jalapeno peppers
- 1 cup of cream cheese, room temperature
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (and 1 tablespoon for garnish)
- ¼ cup green onion, chopped (and 1 tablespoon for garnish)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ⅓ cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
- 1 big handful of barbecue potato chips
Preparation
- First, preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean-up.
- Cut off one-third of each pepper lengthwise to keep the stuffing from falling out.
- Use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds and membranes from each pepper and discard those pieces.
- Combine the cream cheese, chopped cilantro, chopped green onion, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt in a bowl. Mix them well.
- Stuff the peppers with the cream cheese mixture.
- Top each stuffed pepper with a small mound of cheese cut lengthwise.
- Bake the stuffed jalapeno popper for 10 to 13 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and turning golden.
- Meanwhile, place a big handful of chips in a food processor and process until they are broken into tiny pieces. Alternatively, you can crush them under a rolling pin.
- Mix the feta, if you use it, and the remaining cilantro and green onion into the chips.
- Top each pepper with the crushed chip mixture, transfer the stuffed jalapeno popper to a large serving dish, and serve!
Your spicy and cheesy stuffed jalapeno popper is ready to be relished by your football fanatics. You can prepare the mixture in advance and assemble it during the Super Bowl party. If you have leftovers (highly unlikely), you can refrigerate them for up to 3 days and microwave them when needed.
If you like fried food, deep fry them by dipping the stuffed jalapeno popper in milk and flour before rolling them in breadcrumbs and frying them till golden brown for a crispy texture. So, will you make this stuffed jalapeno popper at your Super Bowl party? If yes, then do let us know in the comment section below if you liked it.
