Categorized:

  • Appetizers & Salads
  • Sides & Sauces

Tagged:

  • bacon
  • cilantro
  • cream cheese
  • garlic
  • green onions
  • jalapeno
  • monterey jack cheese
  • panko bread crumbs
Jalapeno Poppers - 1

Jalapeno Poppers

Ingredients

  • 12 medium (1 lb.) jalapeno peppers, halved
  • 7 oz. cream cheese, softened*
  • 1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and finely chopped, divided
  • 3 1/2 Tbsp thinly sliced green onions, divided**
  • 2 1/2 Tbsp finely chopped cilantro
  • 1 tsp minced garlic (1 clove)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1/4 tsp (heaping) chili powder
  • 2 tsp olive oil

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Wearing food grade gloves remove seeds and ribs from jalapeños. You can do this by hand (fastest method) - just using your thumb to scrape it out. Or you can do this with a pairing knife (just be careful not to cut through peppers bottom side).
  • Transfer peppers cut side up to an 18 by 13-inch baking sheet.
  • In a medium mixing bowl add cream cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, 2/3 of the bacon (4 slices), 2 1/2 Tbsp green onions, cilantro, garlic, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir with a spoon until well combined.
  • Spoon and spread mixture into each jalapeno halve, it should be just slightly heaping.
  • In a small mixing bowl using a fork stir together panko, chili powder, salt to taste and olive oil until mixture is evenly coated.
  • Sprinkle panko evenly over each pepper.
  • Bake in preheated oven until peppers are tender and cheese is melted, about 14 - 18 minutes.
  • Garnish with remaining 2 slices of finely chopped bacon, and 1 Tbsp green onions. Serve warm.

Notes

  • *Cream cheese can be softened in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl, about 10 - 15 seconds per each side.
  • **I use the small/thin green onions in the bunch for garnish. They aren’t chives just green onions.
  • These can be prepared a day in advance. Just store in fridge, keep panko topping separate and add when ready to bake. Increase bake time by about 3 - 5 minutes.

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