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Bacon Jalapeño Popper Bites

Bacon jalapeño popper bites are baked bacon-wrapped jalapeño halves filled with a creamy cheddar-cream cheese mixture and finished until the filling bubbles. Expect crispy bacon edges and a smoky-garlic cream filling with a quick spicy kick.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Jalapeño popper filling and assembly
  • 12 large jalapeños Halved lengthwise and seeded
  • 8 oz cream cheese Softened
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese Shredded
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • 12 thin-cut bacon Halved crosswise
  • honey For drizzling (optional)

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 wire rack

Method
 

Prep
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with a wire rack to keep the bacon crisp.
  2. Mix together cream cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, and smoked paprika until fully combined, with no dry spice streaks.
Fill, wrap, 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 it with a toothpick to hold the wrap in place.
  3. Arrange the jalapeño bites on the wire rack in a single layer with some space between them.
  4. Bake at 400°F for 18–22 minutes until the bacon is crispy and the filling is bubbling, with a faint char at the edges and rendered fat glistening.
Finish
  1. Drizzle with honey if desired and serve hot for the best contrast between sweet and spicy.

Notes

Pro tip: fully seed the jalapeños to control heat and keep the filling from getting watery. Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container for up to 3 days; reheat on a wire rack or baking sheet at 350°F until warmed through. Freezing isn’t recommended because the jalapeños can soften, but you can assemble and refrigerate the filled jalapeños (unbaked) up to 24 hours. For a lower-fat swap, use reduced-fat cream cheese and a lighter cheddar while keeping the bacon as written for crispness.