Spicy jalapeno peppers filled with creamy cheese and baked until golden.
This post for jalapeno poppers was originally published in September of 2015. The pictures have been updated, however the rest of the post remains the same.
It’s football season. Do you need an appetizer? A perfect appetizer? A perfect, spicy appetizer? Get ready for Jalapeno Poppers! These are strangely addicting…I love them, yet they make my mouth burn from the spicy jalapeno….and as soon as I’m finished with the first one, I am reaching for just one more!
These poppers can be made ahead of time and then just popped into the oven just before serving.
I usually make a batch using 12 jalapenos. You can simply adjust this recipe up or down depending on how large a crowd you will have. I like to serve these with alongside a bowl of homemade guacamole and salsa.
- 12 whole jalapenos halved and seeded
- 4 oz cream cheese room temperature
- 1/2 cup Monterey jack cheese shredded
- 1 Tablespoon fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup fresh diced tomatoes
- 1 Tablespoon sliced green onions
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Mix cream cheese in a bowl until smooth.
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Fold in Monterey Jack cheese.
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Fill each jalapeno half with cheese mixture. Don't overfill or the cheese will ooze over the sides of the pepper.
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Place in a 400 degree preheated oven
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Bake for 20 - 30 minutes until heated through and lightly browned.
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Place on serving dish and garnish with cilantro and tomatoes and onions
Recipe Video
Use 12 small jalapenos or 6 large jalapenos
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36 Comments
Gingi
September 30, 2015 at 3:41 pmThose look soooooo yummy!! Love the little flecks of red, makes the whole thing “pop”.. (hahaha, get it? pop? poppers? ohhh, I kill me!) <3 – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
Kathy
September 30, 2015 at 5:08 pmLove the “pops!”
Laura
October 1, 2015 at 4:41 amWe are always looking for solid appetizers around here that don’t make we work too hard….and these will help me use of the pepper surplus. Awesome! Not sure about the football part. More like napping.
Kathy
October 1, 2015 at 7:08 pmThese would be perfect for you!
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen
October 1, 2015 at 5:53 pmThese look like a fun appetizer, Kathy. Are they super hot? I’m a bit of a spicy/heat wimp. They do look yummy though.
Kathy
October 1, 2015 at 7:07 pmJalapenos seem to vary in spiciness. Often for my kids I use Anaheim peppers instead. They are pretty mild.
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks
October 1, 2015 at 6:33 pmWe make jalapeno poppers in the smoker all the time! They are totally the perfect football food! I’m loving the cream cheese and tomato garnish!
Kathy
October 1, 2015 at 7:07 pmOooh! I need to try using a smoker! Great idea!!!
Danielle @ So Munch Love
October 2, 2015 at 7:15 amAs soon as I saw these, my mouth literally started watering. I LOVE jalapeno poppers. Thanks for another idea for using up the mountains of jalapenos my garden is producing! 🙂
Kathy
October 3, 2015 at 8:08 amGotta love all those home grown jalapenos!
Manali @ CookWithManali
October 2, 2015 at 10:30 amI bet these are super addicting! YUM!
Kathy
October 3, 2015 at 8:08 amVery addicting!
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen
October 2, 2015 at 10:57 amLove these super yummy jalapeño poppers, Kathy. Deeeelicious.
Kathy
October 3, 2015 at 8:08 amThanks, Anu!
Maya @ Treats and Eats
October 5, 2015 at 7:07 pmOooh, I love these! I’m a huge fan of jalapeno poppers but I’ve never tried a homemade version. But now I definitely need to give it a try!
Kathy
October 7, 2015 at 5:05 amYou must give them a try. Super easy to make!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
September 18, 2017 at 5:02 amLove jalapeno poppers! So good and I always reach for just one more too 😉 Perfect for game day or weekend eats!
Kathy
September 18, 2017 at 5:43 amThey are hard to resist!
David @ Spiced
September 18, 2017 at 5:47 amOh man, I absolutely love jalapeno poppers! Of course, there was that one time when the batch of jalapenos was insanely hot…but we still made our way through the entire batch. This is classic football food right here! 🙂
[email protected]
September 18, 2017 at 6:08 amOh my gosh – it’s like you were in the room the other day when my hubby said he wanted to make poppers for our tailgate! He’ll be so happy to see this…as am I!! Loving this recipe, Kathy!!
Kathy
September 19, 2017 at 3:50 amTalk about perfect timing! These would be perfect for a tailgate party!
karrie @ Tasty Ever After
September 19, 2017 at 1:29 pmThis recipe is so timely because I have a whole bag of jalapenos I bought at an organic local farm stand this past weekend. They were so pretty and so perfect and I bought way more than I can ever use! Guess it’s jalapeno popper time! 🙂
Kathy
September 22, 2017 at 5:33 amI think it is jalapeno popper time!
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry
September 19, 2017 at 2:51 pmYes please! Love Jalepeno Poppers.
Kathy
September 22, 2017 at 5:34 am🙂
[email protected]
September 20, 2017 at 2:00 pmSo my husband was JUST talking about how I need to make jalapeno poppers! haha You have excellent timing!!
Kathy
September 22, 2017 at 5:35 amTotally amazing timing! I think football season brings out the best appetizers!
Miriam - londonkitchendiaries.com
September 21, 2017 at 2:06 amI have only discovered Jalapeno peppers a few years ago but I completely agree with you – they are ever so slightly addictive. Fantastic food for the football season!
Kathy
September 25, 2017 at 5:33 amI know! I just can’t help myself and have to eat “just one more”!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
September 21, 2017 at 8:48 amOne of my favorite football watching foods Kathy! Delicious!
Kathy
September 25, 2017 at 5:29 amPoppers seem to go with football!
Ric
September 26, 2017 at 7:47 amMonterey. Add bacon!
Kathy
September 26, 2017 at 7:47 pmBacon would be so yummy on these poppers!
Katie Crenshaw
September 26, 2017 at 4:30 pmThese look beautiful, Kathy. I would eat them all in one sitting all by myself. I love anything jalapeño!!! xoxo
Kathy
September 26, 2017 at 7:50 pmThanks, Katie!
Agness of Run Agness Run
October 1, 2017 at 9:47 amThis is an excellent appetizer, Kathy! Great combination of ingredients and a great idea for a party dish. Can I use feta cheese instead of cream cheese?