Description
Spicy jalapeno popper bites combine creamy cheese and crisp bacon in a mouthwatering appetizer. Guests will crave these irresistible poppers that deliver bold Southwest-inspired flavors you cannot stop eating.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 medium jalapenos, seeded and finely diced
- 1 cup (113 g/4 ounces) Monterey jack cheese, freshly shredded
- 4 ounces (113 g) cream cheese, room temperature
Breading and Seasoning:
- 1/2 cup (62.5 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons water
- 1 cup (108 g) plain bread crumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- Vegetable or canola oil for frying
Instructions
- In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend Monterey jack cheese, cream cheese, finely chopped jalapenos, and minced garlic until the mixture becomes uniformly combined.
- Using a tablespoon, carefully craft compact cheese spheres, ensuring each ball is tightly packed and consistent in size. Arrange these spheres on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Refrigerate the cheese balls for approximately 25 minutes, allowing them to solidify and maintain structural integrity during coating and frying.
- Create three distinct coating stations: first, whisk flour with salt and pepper; second, beat eggs with water; third, mix bread crumbs with garlic powder and cayenne pepper.
- Methodically coat each cheese ball by first rolling in seasoned flour, then dipping in egg mixture, and finally encrusting with spiced bread crumbs, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet to 350°F, maintaining a consistent medium temperature for optimal frying conditions.
- Carefully introduce cheese balls into hot oil in small batches, rotating periodically to achieve a uniform golden-brown exterior, approximately 3 minutes per batch.
- Remove jalapeno popper bites using a slotted spoon, draining excess oil on paper towels to preserve crispiness, and serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Choose jalapeños with a milder heat by removing seeds and membranes for a gentler spice level that everyone can enjoy.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar or pepper jack to create unique flavor profiles and personalize the bites.
- Freeze cheese balls for up to 2 hours before frying to ensure they maintain their shape and prevent cheese from leaking during cooking.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting regular breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free panko for a crispy, celiac-friendly alternative.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg