Smoky Jalapeño Poppers

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 15 min
🍽 Serves: 6
★★★★★
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Looking for a crowd-pleaser that packs a punch? These Smoky Jalapeño Poppers are the perfect mix of spicy, creamy, and smoky, making them an irresistible addition to any gathering or casual evening at home.

Ingredients for Smoky Jalapeño Poppers

Let's break down what makes these poppers pop. The main star here is the jalapeños, providing a spicy kick and the perfect vessel for our filling. Next, the cream cheese brings a rich, smooth texture that mellows the heat. Cheddar cheese adds a sharpness and gooey goodness when melted. A touch of garlic powder introduces a savory depth, while smoked paprika lends a delightful smokiness that complements the bacon. Finally, we have a bit of salt and black pepper to enhance all the flavors.

Tips & Tricks

  • If you want extra crispy bacon, precook it for a few minutes before wrapping. But don’t cook it all the way through — it should still be pliable.
  • To avoid cheese overflow, don’t overstuff the jalapeños. A modest amount goes a long way.
  • Use a grill basket to prevent any poppers from falling through the grates.

Serving Suggestions

These poppers are fantastic on their own, but if you want to jazz them up, serve with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping. They also pair wonderfully with a cold, crisp beer or a refreshing margarita.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these poppers in the oven?
Absolutely! Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake on a rack for 20-25 minutes or until the bacon is crispy.
What if I don’t have smoked paprika?
You can substitute regular paprika, but the smoky flavor will be less pronounced. You might also try a dash of liquid smoke.
How can I make them less spicy?
Removing all seeds and membranes will reduce the heat significantly. You could also try using mini sweet peppers.

Smoky Jalapeño Poppers Recipe Walkthrough

First, get your grill preheated to medium-high. This is crucial for achieving that wonderful crispy bacon and tender jalapeño texture. While the grill heats up, prepare your jalapeños by slicing each in half lengthwise. Use a small spoon to remove the seeds and membranes — unless you love an extra fiery popper, in which case, leave some seeds in.

In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is well incorporated for a uniform filling. Now, spoon this cheesy mixture into each jalapeño half, packing it in just enough without overflowing.

Wrap each stuffed jalapeño half snugly with a slice of bacon. Secure the bacon with a toothpick to keep everything in place while grilling. Now it's time to put these beauties on the grill. Place them carefully over direct heat. Let them grill for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally. You’re looking for crispy bacon and jalapeños that are just tender.

Once grilled to perfection, remove them from the heat and let them cool for a few minutes. This short wait allows the cheese to firm up a bit and prevents any burnt mouths. Serve them up and watch them disappear!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Packed with bold flavors from smoked paprika and bacon.
  • Simple enough to prepare quickly, but impressive enough for guests.
  • Perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and smoky.
  • Grilled to perfection for that outdoor, smoky taste.

Ingredients

12 large fresh jalapeños
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
12 slices bacon
Toothpicks

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
2. Cut jalapeños in half lengthwise and remove seeds and membranes.
3. In a bowl, combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture.
5. Wrap each stuffed jalapeño half with a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
6. Grill the jalapeño poppers for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the bacon is crispy and the jalapeños are tender.
7. Remove from grill and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

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