Spicy Jalapeno Poppers Cream Cheese (Printable)

Golden jalapeños stuffed with creamy cheese blend and a touch of heat for tasty bites.

# What You Need:

→ Peppers

01 - 8 large fresh jalapeño peppers

→ Cheese Filling

02 - 7 oz cream cheese, softened
03 - 3.5 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated
04 - 1 spring onion, finely chopped
05 - 1 clove garlic, minced
06 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
08 - ¼ teaspoon salt

→ Coating

09 - 2 large eggs
10 - ¼ cup milk
11 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
12 - 1 cup fine breadcrumbs
13 - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

→ Frying

14 - 2 cups vegetable oil, for frying

# How-To:

01 - Preheat vegetable oil in a deep pot or fryer to 350°F.
02 - Slice each jalapeño lengthwise while wearing gloves; remove seeds and membranes to reduce heat or leave some for extra spice.
03 - Combine softened cream cheese, grated cheddar, chopped spring onion, minced garlic, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt until smooth.
04 - Fill each jalapeño half generously with the cheese mixture, smoothing the surface.
05 - Arrange three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs and milk combined, and one with breadcrumbs mixed with cayenne pepper.
06 - Dredge each stuffed pepper in flour, then dip into the egg mixture, and finally coat thoroughly with breadcrumb mixture.
07 - Fry poppers in batches for 2 to 3 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
08 - Allow poppers to cool slightly before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They're crispy on the outside, creamy and tangy on the inside—textural joy in every bite.
  • Takes under 40 minutes from start to table, so you can actually enjoy your guests instead of cooking all night.
  • People always ask for the recipe, and it feels like you've unlocked some kind of secret.
02 -
  • If your oil isn't hot enough, the poppers will absorb oil and turn greasy instead of crispy—use a thermometer, not a guess.
  • Don't stuff them too far in advance; if they sit too long, the filling can leak out during frying and make a mess of your oil.
03 -
  • Wear gloves when handling raw jalapeños and wash your hands before touching your face—the capsaicin oils will linger and surprise you later if you don't.
  • Save a little of the cheese filling to seal any cracks in the pepper before breading; this prevents filling from escaping during cooking.

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