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Home » Recipes » Appetizer » Jalapeno Popper Bites

Jalapeno Popper Bites

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This post may contain affiliate links to products. If you use those links, I may earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more here.

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Jalapeno Popper Bites are deep fried, melted cheese balls stuffed with diced jalapeños and bacon, coated in crispy breadcrumbs.

a close up photo of a jalapeño popper bite with a bite taken out of it

I’m all for the traditional jalapenos poppers but when we visited a restaurant in Rochester Minnesota called Hefe Rojo and tasted their jalapenos chicken poppers we were blown away! I decided to make my own version, leaving out the chicken, and have since discovered that Texas Roadhouse serves something similar called Rattlesnake Bites.

removing seeds from jalapenos

Wearing gloves, slice three jalapenos in half lengthwise. Remove and discard the seeds and membranes. You can use a jalapeno pepper corer or a teaspoon. Then, dice the jalapenos.

stuffing ingredients in a bowl

Put the softened cream cheese, shredded pepper jack cheese, diced jalapenos, bacon bits, and sriracha sauce into a bowl.

Can I substitute another kind of cheese?

I used pepper jack cheese to bring added flavor and a little heat but other cheeses would work too. You can substitute an equal amount of another shredded cheese for the pepper jack cheese in this jalapeno popper bites recipe.

As far as the cream cheese goes, I used plain cream cheese but a flavored cream cheese such as garden vegetable or chive would be delicious as well!

How can I make jalapeno popper bites more or less spicy?

These jalapeno popper bites are medium hot. To make them less spicy, use a milder cheese, skip adding the sriracha sauce, and cayenne pepper.

To make spicier jalapeno popper bites, you could add some of the jalapeno seeds, add more sriracha sauce and cayenne pepper, or add red pepper flakes.

mixing ingredients in a bowl with a power hand mixer

Mix the ingredients until combined.

What else could I add to these jalapeno popper bites?

Although we thoroughly enjoyed these jalapeño popper bites as the recipe it written, I look forward to making other versions by adding or subtracting ingredients! Here are a few options for additional ingredients.

  • shredded chicken
  • cooked chorizo pork sausage
  • diced bell peppers
  • sliced green onions
scooping jalapeño popper bites filling ingredients

Scoop the cheese mixture and form it into balls.

jalapeño popper bites formed into balls and placed in a pan

Place the jalapeno popper bites on a parchment covered baking sheet or pan. Place it in the freezer for 30 minutes to harden.

breading ingredients in a bowl

While waiting, prepare the jalapeno popper bites coating. In a wide, shallow bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs, plain bread crumbs, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt.

Put the flour in a second wide, shallow bowl and beaten eggs in a third bowl.

coating the jalapeño popper bite in flour

Remove the jalapeño popper bites from the freezer and coat them in flour.

coating the jalapeño popper bite in egg mixture

Then, dip them in the beaten eggs.

coating the jalapeño popper bites in breading

Next, coat them with the bread crumbs mixture.

coated jalapeño popper bites in the fryer basket

Heat oil in a deep fryer (or large pot with a thermometer) to 375˚F.

fried cheese balls in the fryer basket

Working in batches, fry several jalapeños popper bites at once, for 2-3 minutes, until golden brown.

How do you reheat jalapeno poppers bites?

Like most deep-fried food jalapeno poppers bites taste the best when they are freshly prepared but yes, they can be reheated. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days or in the freezer for up to three months.

Thaw frozen bites in the fridge overnight. Reheat the jalapeno popper bites in the oven at 375˚ for 5-8 minutes or warm them in the microwave on high for 15-20 seconds.

jalapeño popper bites

Drain on a paper towel lined plate. Garnish with a sprinkle of parsley.

Can this jalapeno popper bites recipe be made ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this jalapeno popper bites recipe in advance. Prepare the jalapeno popper bites but do not fry them. Place them in an airtight container the fridge overnight and then fry when ready.

Or prepare the jalapeno popper bites without frying them and place them freezer until they have hardened. Then, transfer them to an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before frying.

jalapeno popper bites in a bowl

Want more appetizer recipes? Try these next:

Make this loaded Nachos recipe to serve at your next party or surprise your family with sheet pan nachos dinner with all of their favorite toppings!

This deep Fried Pickles recipe is a fun way to eat fair food at home! Serve the crispy fried pickles on a stick as an appetizer with dipping sauce.

These kid-approved Mini Corn Dogs are hand dipped in a sweet, honey flavored cornmeal batter and deep fried until golden and crispy.

Two Ingredient Dough Pretzel Bites are SUPER EASY to make with no yeast and no waiting for the dough to rise. Just mix the dough, cut nuggets, dip in baking soda water and bake!

Continue to Content
a close up photo of a jalapeño popper bite with a bite taken out of it

Fried Jalapeno Popper Bites

Yield: 16 bites
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Jalapeno Popper Bites are deep fried, melted cheese balls stuffed with diced jalapeños and bacon, coated in crispy breadcrumbs.

Ingredients

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
  • 3 jalapenos, seeded and diced
  • 1/4 cup chopped bacon
  • 2 tbsp sriracha sauce
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • peanut oil or canola oil for frying

Instructions

  1. Mix together the cream cheese, shredded pepper jack cheese, diced jalapenos, bacon bits, and sriracha sauce.
  2. Scoop the mixture and form into balls. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes.
  3. Put the flour into one bowl and the beaten eggs in a second bowl.
  4. In the third bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs, plain bread crumbs, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt.
  5. Heat oil in a deep fryer (or use a large pot with a thermometer) to 350˚F.
  6. Remove cheese balls from the freezer. Dip in the flour mixture, then into the beaten eggs, and finally coat with the bread crumbs mixture.
  7. Fry several bites at once for 2-3 minutes, until golden brown.
  8. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
  9. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

Notes

  • Reheat in the oven at 375˚ for 5-8 minutes or in the microwave on high for 15-20 seconds.
  • Prepare ahead of time without frying. Store in the refrigerator overnight and remove when ready to fry. Or store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before frying.
  • Nutrition facts were calculated using three tablespoons of oil since most of it wasn't absorbed. Your results may vary depending on your oil temperature, length of cooking time, and the fryer you use.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Cutting Board Set
    OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Cutting Board Set
  • Norpro Grip-EZ Jalapeno Pepper Corer
    Norpro Grip-EZ Jalapeno Pepper Corer
  • LouAna 100% Pure Peanut Oil, 128 Oz
    LouAna 100% Pure Peanut Oil, 128 Oz
  • Hamilton Beach Deep Fryer, 3 Liters Oil Capacity, Stainless Steel
    Hamilton Beach Deep Fryer, 3 Liters Oil Capacity, Stainless Steel
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 2
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 377Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 105mgSodium: 608mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 14g

Nutrition data is calculated automatically by Nutritionix and isn't always accurate. I am not a certified nutritionist and make no claims to the contrary. Each individual’s dietary needs and restrictions are unique to the individual. You are ultimately responsible for all decisions pertaining to your health.

© The Gunny Sack
Cuisine: Mexican / Category: Appetizer
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Comments

  1. Kimberly Skalyo says

    November 21, 2020 at 3:25 pm

    Can you also put these jalapeno poppers in an air fryer instead of frying them in oil?

    Reply
    • Tonia says

      November 21, 2020 at 3:30 pm

      Yes you could definitely make them in an air fryer!

      Reply

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Tonia LarsonHi, I'm Tonia, a lover of food and photography! Fill a gunny sack with ingredients, tie on an apron and let's get cooking!
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