Who doesn’t love a game-day snack that bites you back a bit? These stuffed jalapeno peppers have the spiciness you crave from jalapenos, loaded with tangy, rich cream cheese and cheddar blend to mellow the heat. And they are vegetarian so that everyone can enjoy them. Just bake in the oven or air fry – in less than 20 minutes, you can enjoy perfectly creamy stuffed jalapeno peppers.
Quick & Easy Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers Recipe
Whether you’re getting a party started or want to serve an appetizer with a fun and spicy kick, this easy stuffed jalapeno poppers recipe will surely be a hit at your next gathering.
I firmly believe that party food should be easy and – equally important – fun to prepare. It just seems like a shame to stress over what should be a relaxing time with friends. And you know they will be more than happy with whatever you serve!
So whenever we are hosting a casual get-together, I always have this cheddar and cream cheese jalapeno poppers recipe ready to go.
Pop-able spicy and cheesy peppers are a classic game day dish that is a snap to make in under 30 minutes and with only 4 ingredients. And they are perfect for satisfying many different dietary needs! Our stuffed jalapenos recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, low-carb, and keto-friendly. But you definitely get all the big, bold flavors and textures you want in serious snack food.
Sharp and smokey cheddar cheese is combined with tangy cream cheese, plus chopped green onion for an even more vibrant and fresh flavor. This delightful mixture is then loaded inside whole jalapenos and oven-baked to peak roasted goodness. Or easily air fry for ultra crispy poppers!
It’s often hard to get a large payout from little effort but these loaded jalapeno poppers absolutely hit the nail on the head.
Easy and fast to make, crazy delicious to enjoy, ideal for serving at gatherings of all sizes and for nearly any occasion…
We guarantee you will love this family-favorite recipe to make the best stuffed jalapeno poppers possible!
Stuffed Jalapeno Recipe ingredients
We’ve kept things simple and delicious to make this a crowd-pleasing vegetarian jalapeno poppers recipe.
You only need:
- Jalapeno peppers – Get well rounded peppers that are at least 3-4 inches long
- Cheddar cheese – Shredding your cheese makes a difference in melting. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that impair that cheese pull everyone loves!
- Cream cheese – We recommend using full-fat cream cheese for the creamiest poppers!
- Green onion – To add a little color! You can substitute with chopped parsley.
How to make Jalapeno Poppers
- Cut 1/3 of each pepper off lengthwise and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. I save the top 1/3 of the peppers for salsa.
- After cutting the jalapeno peppers length-wise, run a small spoon along the inside to remove the membranes and seeds until the inside of the pepper is smooth.
- Place jalapeno peppers on a baking sheet. If the peppers do not sit flat on the baking sheet, slice a thin piece off the bottom of the pepper so it will not roll around.
- Mash the cream cheese, shredded cheese, and onion together and stuff the peppers with the mixture.
- Roast at 425ºF for 15 to 18 minutes. The appetizers are ready when the jalapeno peppers are tender and the cheese is golden and bubbly on top.
How to make Stuffed Jalapenos in the air fryer
- Free up oven space and bake these jalapeno poppers in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF, if needed.
- Place the stuffed jalapenos in the air fryer keeping at least 1 inch of space around the poppers.
- Air fry (or bake) for 12 – 15 minutes, until the peppers are tender and the cheese is golden and bubbly on top.
Variations
- As-is this is a vegetarian jalapeno poppers recipe. However, you can certainly add cooked crumbled bacon to the top of the cheese mixture before baking or air frying.
- For even more spiciness swap the cheddar cheese with shredded pepper Jack cheese. Spicy stuffed jalapenos are the ideal game day appetizer, whether for a Super Bowl party or a tailgating celebration.
- Serve them with a dip! These pair well with blue cheese dressing, a sweet chili sauce, or a sour cream dip.
- Use low fat cream cheese for a slightly lighter snack.
- See the directions below for making these jalapeno poppers in the air fryer. Then you have the oven available for other dishes!
How to store this Stuffed Jalapenos Recipe
Jalapeno poppers can be stored in the fridge for up to two days in an airtight container. We recomend reheating in the oven at 350ºF, but you can also reheat them in a microwave or air fryer at 325ºF.
Can you freeze Jalapeno Poppers?
For best results, do not bake or air fry the jalapeno popper appetizers before freezing.
After stuffing, flash freeze them individually on a baking sheet until they are hard and firm. This takes about 2 hours.
Then store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They can last up to 6 months when stored properly in the freezer.
How to reheat Frozen Jalapeno Poppers
To reheat frozen jalapeño poppers, remove them from the freezer. Let defrost on a paper towel for about 30 minutes. The paper towel will wick away the moisture and keep the stuffed jalapenos crispier when baked.
Place them on a cookie sheet and into a preheated oven at 400ºF. Bake for 17 – 20 minutes or until golden brown and heated all the way through.
Frequently Asked Questions
These stuffed jalapeno peppers have the membranes and seeds removed, so they are mildly spicy. The membranes and seeds contain the highest concentration of capsaicin. Capsaicin is the ingredient found in different types of hot peppers, such as cayenne peppers, that makes the peppers spicy hot.
My favorite dipping sauces for these jalapeno poppers are blue cheese dressing or bottled sweet chili sauce.
After cutting the jalapeno peppers length-wise, run a small spoon along the inside to remove the membranes and seeds until the inside of the pepper is smooth. I wear gloves when cleaning hot peppers to keep my hands free from the capsaicin, which can burn your skin.
Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers
Ingredients
- 12 large jalapeno peppers
- 6 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature)
- 6 ounces shredded smoked Pepper Jack cheese or extra-sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onion
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Cut 1/3 of each pepper off lengthwise. After cutting the jalapenos length-wise, run a small spoon along the inside to remove the membranes and seeds until the inside of the pepper is smooth.
- Place jalapeno peppers on a baking sheet. If the peppers do not sit flat on the baking sheet, slice a thin piece off the bottom of the pepper so it will not roll around. Mash the cream cheese, shredded cheese, and onion together and stuff the peppers with the mixture.
Oven Roasted Poppers
- Prepare your baking sheet by spraying it with cooking oil or line it with parchment paper. Place the jalapenos on a baking sheet leaving at least 1" of space around the jalapenos.
- Bake or Roast at 425º F for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is brown at the edges and bubbly.
PREVIOUS
Paula says
My husband and daughter love jalapeno poppers so I was excited to make these at home for them. Huge hit, they loved them!
Stephanie says
My family always orders jalapeno poppers when they are on the menu – now I know how to make perfect ones myself! The video is quite helpful in putting this recipe together.
Jacqueline says
Oh perfect for a Saturday night movie snack. Yum!