Cream Cheese and Bacon-Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers

I prepared this easy cream cheese and bacon-stuffed jalapeño poppers recipe because we had friends come over to celebrate Cinco de Mayo last night. We had a fantastic time hanging out, drinking margaritas, and eating tasty food. I made chicken tortilla soup and had loads of chips, salsa, bean dip, and guacamole. This easy jalapeno popper recipe was delicious, and we all loved the cream cheese with the salty bacon bits inside the spicy jalapeños, along with the crunchy panko crumbs on top. I highly recommend this recipe.

Cream Cheese and Bacon-Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers:

Ingredients:

• 10 fresh Jalapeños, sliced in half lengthwise, seeds removed
• 10 oz cream cheese, softened
• 7-8 slices of bacon, cooked and chopped
• Plain panko crumbs
• Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste

How to Make Cream Cheese and Bacon-Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with tin foil and coat with cooking spray.

Cook the bacon until crisp, then drain it on paper towels. Chop up the bacon into small pieces.

Mix the bacon crumbles into the cream cheese until thoroughly combined.

Cut jalapenos in half, lengthwise. Side Note: Wear plastic gloves if possible and carefully remove seeds and veins with a spoon.

Smear each jalapeño half with cream cheese and bacon mixture.

Pour the panko crumbs onto a plate.

Dip the stuffed jalapeño into the panko crumbs, cream cheese side down. Season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste.

Bake on a pan with a rack for 20-25 minutes.  Side Note: If the panko crumbs aren’t golden brown, turn the oven to broil and cook them, watching carefully so they don’t burn, for a few minutes.

Serve immediately. Enjoy.