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Creamy Pimento Cheese Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers

creamy pimento cheese stuffed jalapeño poppers - featured image

These creamy pimento cheese stuffed jalapeño poppers offer a perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and crunchy flavors. Easy to make and ideal for quick snacks or parties, they feature a rich homemade pimento cheese filling inside roasted jalapeños.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 medium-sized fresh jalapeños, halved and seeded
  • 8 ounces (225g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (100g) sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
  • 1/4 cup (40g) diced and drained pimentos
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled or wrapped around poppers (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  2. Rinse and dry the jalapeños. Slice each in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds and membranes.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, diced pimentos, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.
  4. Fill each jalapeño half generously with the pimento cheese mixture using a spoon or small scoop.
  5. If desired, wrap each stuffed jalapeño half with half a slice of cooked bacon and secure with a toothpick.
  6. Arrange the stuffed jalapeños on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and jalapeños are tender.
  7. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving warm.

Notes

Softening cream cheese fully before mixing is crucial to avoid lumps. Adjust seed removal to control heat level. Bacon is optional but adds smoky flavor. For extra crispiness, broil for last 2 minutes watching carefully. Store leftovers in airtight container refrigerated up to 3 days or freeze up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: jalapeño poppers, pimento cheese, stuffed jalapeños, appetizer, party snack, creamy cheese, spicy snack