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Crispy Jalapeño Popper Bites Recipe


  • Author: Jennie Graham
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 24 bites 1x

Description

These crispy jalapeño popper bites combine creamy cheese filling with a golden crunchy coating for the perfect party appetizer. Easy to make and absolutely addictive!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
  • 3 jalapeños, seeded and diced
  • ¼ cup chopped turkey bacon
  • 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup panko bread crumbs
  • ½ cup plain bread crumbs
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • Peanut oil or canola oil for frying

Instructions

  1. Mix cream cheese, pepper jack cheese, diced jalapeños, turkey bacon, and sriracha sauce in a large bowl until well combined.
  2. Scoop mixture using a small cookie scoop and roll into 1-inch balls. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet.
  3. Freeze cheese balls for 30 minutes until firm.
  4. Set up breading station: flour in first bowl, beaten eggs in second bowl.
  5. Combine panko, plain bread crumbs, garlic powder, cayenne, black pepper, and salt in third bowl.
  6. Heat oil to 350°F in deep fryer or pot with thermometer.
  7. Remove cheese balls from freezer. Coat each in flour, then egg, then bread crumb mixture.
  8. Fry 4-5 bites at a time for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
  9. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Notes

  • Don’t skip the freezing step – it prevents the cheese from oozing out during frying
  • Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature – too hot burns the coating, too cool makes them greasy
  • Double-coat for extra crunch – dip back in egg and breadcrumbs for thicker coating
  • Test oil temperature with a breadcrumb – it should sizzle immediately but not burn
  • Work in batches to avoid overcrowding, which drops oil temperature
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Deep Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 bites
  • Calories: 185
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 320mg
  • Fat: 14g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 8g
  • Fiber: 0.5g
  • Protein: 7g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: jalapeño poppers appetizer, spicy cheese bites, party finger foods, cream cheese jalapeño recipe, fried appetizers, game day snacks, pepper jack cheese bites, make ahead appetizers