Description
Cheesy jalapeño poppers bring zesty excitement to classic appetizer lovers seeking bold flavors. Crispy bacon-wrapped jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese promise a spicy-creamy experience you’ll crave at parties and game nights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 jalapeños (seeds removed, sautéed until soft)
- 2 cups (473 ml) pepper jack cheese (shredded)
- 2 cups (473 ml) sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup (237 ml) buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups (180 g) panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tsps Slap Ya Mama seasoning
- 2 tsps garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1–2 cups (237–473 ml) vegetable oil
Instructions
- Prep Dredging Stations: Arrange three shallow dishes – first with flour, second with whisked buttermilk and eggs, third with seasoned breadcrumbs and spices.
- Mix Cheese Filling: Combine cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and sautéed jalapeño peppers in a mixing bowl until thoroughly blended, creating a uniform mixture.
- Shape Cheese Balls: Form the cheese mixture into compact, uniform spheres approximately 1 inch in diameter, carefully maintaining consistent size.
- Chill Poppers: Place formed cheese balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 30-45 minutes to stabilize their structure before frying.
- Heat Cooking Oil: Select a heavy-bottomed skillet and heat vegetable oil to 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring proper temperature for crispy exterior.
- Coat Poppers: Methodically dredge each frozen cheese ball through flour, egg mixture, and seasoned breadcrumbs, creating a complete crispy coating.
- Fry Poppers: Carefully lower 6-8 breaded cheese bites into hot oil, maintaining consistent temperature and rotating to achieve uniform golden-brown coloration.
- Drain and Serve: Remove poppers with a slotted spoon, place on a wire rack to drain excess oil, and let cool briefly before serving with preferred dipping sauce.
Notes
- Chill Before Frying: Freezing cheese balls for 30-45 minutes prevents them from falling apart during cooking and helps maintain their perfect spherical shape.
- Oil Temperature Matters: Maintain consistent oil heat between 350-375°F to ensure crispy, golden-brown exterior without burning or undercooking the poppers.
- Dredging Technique: Follow the flour-egg-breadcrumb coating process carefully to create a crisp, even breading that locks in the cheesy filling.
- Batch Cooking Strategy: Fry 6-8 poppers at a time to prevent oil temperature drops and ensure each popper cooks evenly and achieves a beautiful golden color.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg