MEXICAN INSPIRED JALAPEÑO POPPERS WITH BACON
Mexican-inspired jalapeño poppers with bacon are my new favorite twist on the classic jalapeno popper. Unlike the standard popper, this recipe packs a punch of flavor and spice! This recipe is loaded with bacon, cheese, taco seasoning, tajin, cilantro, and queso fresco!
Equipment
- baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Garlic press
- oven or air fryer
- kitchen gloves
Ingredients
- 8 oz softened cream cheese
- 2.5 oz queso fresco cheese
- 1/2 cup Mexican shredded cheese
- 1/2 cup Carolina Reaper cheese blend (or 1/2 cup of Mexican cheese with a dash of Carolina Reaper powder)
- 5 strips bacon (cooked and chopped)
- 1/2 tbl taco seasoning
- 1/2 tbl tablespoon lime tajin
- 1/2 tbl chopped cilantro
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 onion thinly chopped into cubes
- 10 medium jalapeno peppers
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F
- Fry both sides of the bacon in a pan on medium-high heat till you get slightly crispy bacon, then lay it on paper towels to allow the grease to absorb into it. cool then chop the bacon into small pieces. Set aside.
- in a medium bowl mix the softened cream cheese with a fork till it becomes smooth, add the chopped bacon, thinly chopped onion ( or green onions), garlic, cheeses, seasonings, and chopped cilantro. Mix it all to combine.
- Wash and slice the fresh jalapenos in half then use a teaspoon to scrape out the seeds. Discard the seeds. (jalapeno peppers are spicy! wear kitchen gloves to protect your hands from burning)
- Using a spoon stuff the halved jalapeno peppers with the spicy bacon mixture evenly between all the halves. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, align the Mexican-inspired jalapeno poppers on the sheet, and bake for 10-15 minutes of cook time or until the cheese is slightly golden and the peppers are softened.
- Serve warm on a serving dish with ranch or my favorite cilantro lime crema from Costco!
