Cheesy Jalapeno Poppers

Search around these days and most people are making what are called ABTs (atomic Buffalo turds… I didn’t make up the name so don’t blame me!). They’re sliced (usually) stuffed jalapenos that are grilled or smoked. I love them. But sometimes I like mine the old way, as poppers. Cooked whole, not halved, and stuffed with all sorts of crazy goodness, wrapped in bacon, and grilled until perfect. That’s just what these cheesy jalapeno poppers are. Perfect.

Cheesy Jalapeno Poppers

The nice thing about these little treats is that after cooking the jalapenos mellow a lot. So yeah, they are a bit spicy but definitely not screaming hot by any stretch. And any heat that there is gets tamed down a bit by the cheeses and the bacon. Even if you don’t like spicy foods I would not let that discourage you from making these. You’ll still love them. And hey, if you’re still worried, have a little cool Ranch dressing ready on the side for dipping just in case.

Of course, cheesy jalapeno poppers give me an excuse to use my jalapeno popper rack. Not that I really needed an excuse.

Also try my jalapeno popper bites and my jalapeno popper wontons.

Cheesy Jalapeno Poppers
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5 from 1 vote

Cheesy Jalapeno Poppers

Cooked whole, not halved, and stuffed with all sorts of crazy goodness, wrapped in bacon, and grilled until perfect. That’s just what these cheesy jalapeno poppers are. Perfect.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword jalapeno popper
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Servings 12
Calories 119kcal

Ingredients

For the jalapenos

For the filling

Instructions

For the filling

  • Combine all of the ingredients.

For the jalapenos

  • Fire up your grill for indirect cooking.
  • Pipe or spoon the mixture into the jalapenos. Use your finger to push the filling all the way to the bottom of the peppers, filling them completely.
  • Wrap a piece of bacon around each jalapeno and secure with a toothpick.
  • Transfer the peppers to a rack on your grill and sprinkle with rub or seasoning.
  • Cook 1-2 hours or until the peppers are tender, the bacon is cooked, and the filling is bubbly.
  • Serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 119kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 213mg | Potassium: 84mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 618IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Jalapeno Popper Bites

I’m a huge fan of jalapeno poppers. A little heat, a little cheese (or a lot). Every bite packed with flavor. These jalapeno popper bites take that yummy concept and elevate it to true greatness. And they’re deep-fried. I mean seriously. I could eat an insane number of these. Don’t just double the recipe, triple it.

Jalapeno Popper Bites

On the off-chance you have leftovers (only possible if you quintuple the recipe, in my opinion), these jalapeno popper bites reheat just fine. Just pop them in a 350 F oven for 5-10 minutes and devour!

I often look back at recipes and ponder “What could I do different?”. Not now. Not for this. These are perfect.

I used my lil ole Fry Daddy fryer to make these. It’s not a big fryer, but it saves on oil and it’s the perfect size for the two of us.

Also try my jalapeno popper deviled eggs and my cheesy jalapeno poppers.

Jalapeno Popper Bites
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5 from 1 vote

Jalapeno Popper Bites

I’m a huge fan of jalapeno poppers. A little heat, a little cheese (or a lot). Every bite packed with flavor. These jalapeno popper bites take that yummy concept and elevate it to true greatness
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword jalapeno popper
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 422kcal

Ingredients

For the filling

  • 1 cup Monterey jack cheese freshly shredded
  • 4 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 3 medium jalapeños seeded, minced
  • 6 slices bacon cooked, crumbled
  • 1 teaspoon garlic minced

For the flour mixture

For the egg mixture

  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons water

For the breading mixture

For frying

Instructions

For the filling

  • In a large bowl combine the shredded cheese, cream cheese, jalapenos, cooked bacon, and garlic.
  • Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and form it into a tight ball. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining cheese mixture.
  • Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer and chill for 30 minutes.

For the assembly

  • Set out three wide and deep plates. Pie plates work the best!
  • First plate: Whisk together the flour, salt and pepper.
  • Second plate: Whisk together the eggs and water.
  • Third plate: Whisk together the bread crumbs, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
  • Remove the cheese balls from the freezer. Working in batches, and making sure you cover the balls completely at each plate, dredge the balls first in the flour mixture, then into the egg mixture, and finally the bread crumbs. Transfer to a wire-rack.

For the frying

  • Heat up your deep fryer to 350 F.
  • Working in batches, fry the cheese balls for 3-4 minutes, until golden brown, rotating as they cook. Transfer to a wire-rack to drain.
  • Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 422kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 151mg | Sodium: 624mg | Potassium: 206mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 951IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 308mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Jalapeno Poppers on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Note: This recipe was developed using the Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer. If you are cooking using the Char-Broil Smoker-Roaster Grill you should cook with the lid open and the temperature set to High. You might also need to adjust the cooking time.

Ever since getting a cooking rack for my Char-Broil Big Easy (now replaced by the bunk bed basket) I’ve been making tons of dishes I would normally make on my grill or in the oven. Like these jalapeno poppers. In no time I can make a big batch of these little treats. Cream cheese, bacon, and jalapeno. The jalapenos tame down a lot while they cook, so don’t worry about them being super spicy. They’re very good, and my favorite part, you can taste that they are peppers but not have your mouth set on fire!

Jalapeno Poppers on the Char-Broil Big Easy

The bacon around the jalapeno poppers won’t get super crispy on the Char-Broil Big Easy, but it does come out cooked perfectly. Some folks like to secure the bacon using toothpicks, but I’ve found if you use pieces that are long enough they tend to secure themselves. If you do use toothpicks, soak them in water for 15 minutes first to help prevent them from burning.

For a slightly different take on the classic jalapeno popper, try making scorpion tails on your Big Easy. Or my little more mellow pickle poppers.

Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!

Jalapeno Poppers on the Char-Broil Big Easy
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Jalapeno Poppers on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Ever since getting a cooking rack for my Char-Broil Big Easy I’ve been making tons of dishes I would normally make on my grill or in the oven. Like these jalapeno poppers. In no time I can make a big batch of these little treats.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword Big Easy, Char-Broil, jalapeno popper
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 20 halves
Calories 88kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Cut the jalapenos in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and membranes.
  • Spoon in enough cream cheese to fill the cavity.
  • Wrap bacon around jalapenos. Depending on the size of your peppers, you may want to cut the bacon in half first.
  • Season with BBQ rub.
  • Fire up your Big Easy.
  • Transfer jalapenos to the Big Easy cooking rack.
  • Lower basket into the cooker and cook until the bacon is sizzling hot and the cream cheese is melted.
  • Let cool slightly before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 88kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 112mg | Potassium: 55mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 232IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.