Broiled Jalapeño Poppers Recipe

If you're looking for an easy appetizer that's going to please a crowd, there's really no better option than jalapeño poppers. The combination of savory, spicy, and creamy is irresistible, and the addition of smoky-salty bacon solidifies the deal. Of course, there are quite a few ways to make jalapeño poppers — some recipes call for adding breadcrumbs and frying them, whereas others involve wrapping a whole slice of bacon around the jalapeño. This version, brought to us by recipe developer Catherine Brookes of Blue Sky Eating, involves broiling the poppers.

"These bitesize jalapeño poppers are so moreish," Brookes raves about the dish. "The combo of the creamy cheese, salty bacon and spicy chile is so tasty together." It is hard to beat such a satisfying flavor combination, and with less than 30 minutes of prep and cook time, these poppers come together in a breeze. Make these as an appetizer for your next party or get-together, and don't be too surprised when they're gone in the blink of an eye.

Another great thing about this recipe is that the ingredients list is short and sweet. The star of the show is the jalapeños themselves, and they'll need to be halved and hollowed out. To round out the poppers, you'll also need cream cheese, grated cheddar cheese, bacon, chopped chives, and a seasoning medley of onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. 

As for the bacon, Brookes, who hails from the U.K., opts for British bacon, which comes from the loin of the pig (American bacon, on the other hand, is made with pork belly). Feel free to use what you have or prefer.

First things first, you'll want to cook the bacon as directed on the package instructions, which may differ depending on what kind you're using. Once the bacon is fully cooked, chop the strips into small pieces. Brookes uses scissors to accomplish this task, simply snipping the bacon down to the right size. Of course, you can also use a knife. Though that's less fun.

Now, grab a large mixing bowl and combine the cream cheese, bacon pieces, cheddar cheese, chives, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. Mix everything together so that the ingredients are all well incorporated. 

Preheat your oven's broiler on low. Lay out each jalapeño halve and fill them evenly with the cream cheese mixture. Set a broiler-safe metal grill rack over a baking sheet and align the poppers on top, cheese-side up. Broil the poppers, keeping them about 2 inches from the heat source and leaving the oven door ajar. You'll know that the poppers are ready to go when the jalapeños have softened and the cream cheese starts to brown on top; this should take 5 to 8 minutes. 

Now that the jalapeño poppers are broiled to perfection, you're ready to serve and enjoy! "They'd be great for a party as part of a big buffet spread," Brookes suggests. "Or as an appetizer, perhaps before a Mexican main dish." However you serve these poppers, your guests will rave about the savory, subtly spicy flavors — good luck eating just one!