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