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Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Popper Bites: Easy Appetizer

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These crispy bacon-wrapped jalapeño popper bites are the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer, featuring a creamy, cheesy filling with a kick of jalapeño, all wrapped in crispy bacon and baked to perfection.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 4–5 fresh jalapeños, seeded and finely diced
  • 1/4 cup green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 12 ounces thin-cut bacon, cut into thirds crosswise
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a wire rack inside a baking sheet and set aside.
  2. Wearing gloves, slice each jalapeño in half lengthwise. Use a small spoon to scrape out the seeds and white membranes. Finely dice the jalapeños into small, uniform pieces—about the size of a peppercorn. You should end up with roughly 1/2 to 3/4 cup of diced jalapeño.
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, diced jalapeños, green onions, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything is evenly incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  4. Using a small cookie scoop or a teaspoon, portion the cheese mixture into 1-tablespoon-sized balls. Roll them gently between your palms to form smooth, round balls. Place them on a plate or small tray. You should get about 20-24 balls.
  5. Take one piece of the cut bacon and wrap it around a cheese ball, overlapping the ends slightly. Place each wrapped bite seam-side down on the prepared wire rack. If the bacon seems loose, secure it with a toothpick.
  6. If using, sprinkle a tiny pinch of brown sugar over each wrapped bite.
  7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the bacon is crispy and golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly. Start checking at 18 minutes.
  8. Let the bites rest on the wire rack for 5 minutes before transferring to a serving platter.

Notes

For best results, use thin-cut bacon and a wire rack to ensure crispy bacon all around. If you don’t have a wire rack, place bites directly on a parchment-lined baking sheet and flip halfway through baking. To make ahead, assemble up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate; add 5 minutes to baking time. For freezing, freeze unbaked bites on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag; bake from frozen at 400°F for 25-30 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: jalapeño popper, bacon wrapped, appetizer, game day, party food, keto, low carb

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/crispy-bacon-wrapped-jalape-n-o-popper-bites-easy-appetizer/