My jalapeno poppers in the oven are creamy, cheesy, and always the first game day appetizer to disappear! I put bacon crumbles on top instead of wrapping them in bacon so the jalapenos cooks perfectly.
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My Favorite Baked Jalapeno Poppers
My jalapeño poppers in the oven came to me on a football Sunday, of course. My husband Ben was craving the classic game day appetizer, but I found myself dreading the grease and mess.
I’d made bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers plenty of times, and they tasted amazing, but they were always just so greasy and slippery. That’s when I got the idea to cook the bacon separately, then crumble it on top!
It worked like a charm. Honestly, the only real problem was how fast my tasty, easier-to-eat poppers disappeared! I’d barely sat down for the game before someone asked if there were more, and I ended up throwing together a second batch at halftime. That’s how I knew my version was a keeper!
For more jalapeno recipes, check out my air fryer bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers, air fryer frozen jalapeno poppers, jalapeno deviled eggs, and creamy jalapeno corn!
Jalapeno Poppers Ingredients
- Jalapeños – I look for medium-sized peppers so they’re easy to stuff and bake evenly. Smoother skin gives a milder pepper while wrinkled skin with striations usually means a spicier pepper!
- Cream cheese – This creates the rich, creamy base that balances the heat from the jalapeño pepper.
- Garlic powder and onion powder – I use these for savory flavor without overpowering the filling.
- Shredded cheddar cheese – This adds sharpness and helps the filling melt together.
- Breadcrumbs – I sprinkle these on top for texture and a golden brown finish. Regular or Panko breadcrumbs work great!
- Butter – Mixing the breadcrumbs with melted butter helps the topping crisp up in the oven.
- Bacon – I cook, cool, and crumble bacon, then add the pieces on top of each jalapeno popper for salty crunch and extra flavor.
- Fresh cilantro – Optional, but I like mixing this herb with the breadcrumb topping for a pop of flavor and color.
How to Make Jalapeno Poppers in the Oven
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Cook the bacon until crispy. Allow it to cool, then chop into crumbles. When it’s cooked, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
STEP TWO: Slice the jalapenos in half lengthwise (wear gloves!) and use a spoon to remove the seeds and membranes from the peppers.
STEP THREE: Add the cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, shredded cheese, and ¾ of the bacon to a medium bowl and combine with a hand mixer.
STEP FOUR: Fill each jalapeno with the cream cheese mixture.
STEP FOUR: Combine the breadcrumbs, melted butter, and cilantro (if using) in a separate bowl and sprinkle it on top of the filled jalapenos.
STEP FIVE: Bake the jalapeno poppers in oven for 20 minutes on a baking sheet.
STEP SIX: Remove them from the oven and add the remaining bacon crumbles on top, then bake for another 5 minutes.
Tips for the Best Cream Cheese Jalapeno Poppers
- For easier prep, I slice the jalapeños lengthwise and use a spoon to remove the seeds cleanly. I always wear gloves during this step!
- When prepping the peppers, I scrape out the ribs and seeds from inside each jalapeño pepper. These contain lots of excess moisture, so leaving them can cause the poppers to leak as they bake in the oven. And, the membranes hold a little too much spice sometimes.
- To keep the filling creamy and make sure it’s easy to mix, I let the cream cheese soften on the counter for at least half an hour.
- For even baking, I line the jalapeños up snugly so they don’t tip over. Placing a toothpick on either side of the popper can also help keep wobbly ones in place.
- To get that golden brown topping, I switch my oven to broil for just a minute or two at the very end, but I keep a close eye on the poppers so they don’t burn!
Jalapeno Poppers Recipe Filling Ideas and Variations
- For a ranch twist, I mix bacon bits and ranch seasoning directly into the cream cheese.
- If I don’t feel like melting butter, I’ll spray the breadcrumbs with cooking spray when I top the filling.
- I once tried using cooked, crumbled sausage when I realized too late that I was out of bacon and swapped the cheddar for Pepper Jack cheese, and I was shocked how good the combo was!
- When I’m in the mood for Buffalo flavor, I’ll shred cooked chicken and toss in my buffalo sauce, mix with cream cheese, then add blue cheese crumbles to fill the poppers.
- I love playing around with different cheeses like Monterey Jack, gouda, mozzarella, or whatever I have in my fridge!
What to Serve with Baked Jalapeno Poppers
When I’m making a bunch of game day snacks, I serve jalapeño poppers alongside other finger foods like my pulled pork nachos, roast beef sliders, and Rotel cheese dip!
If we’re getting out the plates, bowls, and silverware, then Velveeta mac and cheese, meatballs with grape jelly and BBQ sauce, and white chicken chili are always a hit!
Jalapeno Poppers in the Oven FAQs
How do I stop jalapeno poppers from leaking?
I’ve found that overfilling is the main reason jalapeño poppers leak in the oven. I aim to fill each pepper just to the top so the cream cheese mixture stays put as it bakes. I also scrape out the insides really well to make room since the membrane contains lots of excess moisture.
Why are my cream cheese jalapeno poppers soggy?
Soggy poppers usually mean there’s too much moisture in the peppers or not enough heat in the oven. I always pat the jalapeños dry really well after cutting them and bake them at 400 degrees F until the topping is golden and the peppers are tender.
How to store leftovers
Store leftover jalapeno poppers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Make sure they’re completely cooled! If you store them when still hot, they will go soggy.
How do I reheat baked jalapeno poppers?
When reheating, I prefer using the oven so the tops of the poppers crisp back up instead of getting soft. I place them on a baking sheet and bake them at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes.
More Easy Appetizer Recipes
- Baked chicken wings
- Pizza dip
- 7 layer taco dip
- Oven nachos
- Air fryer chicken wings
- Corn nuggets
- Loaded fries
Crispy Jalapeno Poppers in the Oven
Ingredients
- 10 jalapenos
- 6 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- 12 ounces bacon cooked and crumbled
Optional
- ½ tablespoon fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Cook the bacon until it is crispy. Allow it to cool and then chop until crumbled.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Using gloves, slice the jalapenos in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to remove the seeds and membranes to hollow out the jalapenos.
- In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, shredded cheese, and ¾ the bacon, using a hand mixer.
- Fill the sliced jalapenos with the cream cheese mixture.
- In a separate bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, melted butter, and cilantro (if using).
- Sprinkle the top of the filled jalapenos with the breadcrumbs.
- Bake them for 20 minutes then sprinkle additional bacon crumbles on the top of the jalapenos.
- Place them back in the oven for an additional 5 minutes, then serve!
Notes
- For easier prep, slice the jalapeños lengthwise and use a spoon to remove the seeds cleanly. And, always wear gloves!
- When prepping the peppers, scrape out the ribs and seeds from inside each jalapeño pepper.
- To keep the filling creamy and make sure it’s easy to mix, use softened cream cheese.
- For even baking, line the jalapeños up snugly so they don’t tip over. Placing a toothpick on either side of the popper can also help keep wobbly ones in place.
- To get that golden brown topping, switch your oven to broil for just a minute or two at the very end, but keep a close eye on the poppers so they don’t burn!
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 10-15 minutes or in the air fryer.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
Can these be made in a air fryer?
Hi LeAnne, I think this recipe turns out best in the oven. I have another recipe for bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers that are made in the air fryer. I hope this helps.