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Bacon Jalapeño Popper Bites

Bacon jalapeño popper bites are baked bacon-wrapped jalapeño halves stuffed with a creamy cheddar filling that bubbles as they roast. Expect crispy bacon with a light char on the edges and melty cheese in every bite.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 130
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

jalapeños
  • 12 jalapeños large, halved lengthwise and seeded
cream cheese
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
garlic powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
thin-cut bacon
  • 12 strips thin-cut bacon halved crosswise
honey
  • 1 tbsp honey optional for drizzling

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep and preheat
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with a wire rack so air can circulate under the poppers.
  2. Halve the jalapeños lengthwise and seed them so the filling stays creamy without extra heat pockets.
Make the cheesy filling
  1. Mix the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, and smoked paprika until fully combined and smooth.
Assemble and bake
  1. Fill each jalapeño half generously with the cream cheese mixture using a spoon or piping bag.
  2. Wrap each filled jalapeño half tightly with a half-strip of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
  3. Arrange the bacon-wrapped poppers on the wire rack and bake for 18–22 minutes at 400°F until the bacon is crispy.
  4. Look for the filling to bubble and the edges of the bacon to turn lightly charred before removing the pan.
Finish and serve
  1. Drizzle with honey if desired and serve hot.

Notes

Pro tip: bake on a wire rack so the rendered bacon fat drips down and the jalapeños stay tender while the bacon crisps. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 3 days in an airtight container; reheat at 350°F until warmed through. Freezing is not recommended because the jalapeños can soften and the bacon may lose crispness. For a lower-fat option, use reduced-fat cream cheese (and keep the cheddar amount the same) to reduce richness while still getting a bubbling center.