These jalapeno popper bites are a crazy good appetizer! Cheddar cheese, cream cheese, diced jalapenos, and bacon all rolled into balls, coated, and fried to crispy golden perfection. Serve these jalapeno bites up with ranch dressing for dipping. Great for game day snacking, hosting a party at your home, and more.
If you enjoy the classic jalapeno popper you will love this jalapeno bomb recipe. As you bite into the crunchy outer shell, you get all the flavors of the cheese, peppers, and salty bacon. These are addictive jalapeno bites.
Now if you love jalapenos the way we do in our home try my jalapeno cheese ball. Or grab your air fryer and try these jalapeno pepper bites or my jalapeno popper casserole.
What Are Jalapeno Popper Bites?
Jalapeno popper bites are simply a mix of cream cheese, shredded cheese, diced jalapenos, bacon, and more. You roll them into balls and then dredge them in a breadcrumb coating and fry them up. These jalapeno bites are crunchy, and loaded with creamy and cheesy flavor.
These can be served as an appetizer or even a side dish. So easy to make and worth the effort in each bite.
Reasons You Will Love These Jalapeno Popper Bites
- Made with real jalapeno peppers. Each bite is loaded with flavor.
- Leave in the seeds for added heat or remove to make them mild. The choice is yours.
- Crispy and crunchy coating with a cheesy center. So addictive to eat.
- Serve the popper bites up as a side dish or appetizer, or simply to snack on to break up the work day.
- This is adult and kid-friendly for snacking on.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Jalapenos – Reach for whole jalapenos that you will seed out and then finely dice. If you want spicy leave some seeds or all seeds in the mixture.
- Bacon – Dice up bacon and finely chop and cook until crispy. Then drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Cheese – Monterey Jack cheese is what I used for a perfect blend to compliment the other ingredients.
- Garlic – Freshly minced garlic truly enhances the bites tremendously. You can use canned garlic.
- Flour – The flour is going to be used for dredging once you get your mixture combined.
- Egg – You will make an egg wash with egg and water which helps the coating stick perfectly to the outside.
- Panko – Panko breadcrumbs offer a super crunchy coating that is also savory in flavor.
- Oil – You will want oil for frying up these bite-size balls. Vegetable or canola oil will work great.
Variations to Recipe
Here are a few ways you can change up the recipe if you would like. These small changes will switch up the flavor of the party food.
- Use plain breadcrumbs in replace of panko.
- Different varieties of cheese can be used. Pepper jack, sharp, mild cheddar, etc.
- Reach for a dairy-free cream cheese and shredded cheese for a dairy-free version.
- Leave out the bacon for a meatless jalapeno bite recipe.
- If you have dietary restrictions reach for gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour.
- Air fry instead of deep frying. Or even bake the balls in the oven.
- Swap the jalapenos with mini sweet bell peppers or even banana peppers for a milder flavor.
- Mix in some green onions for a variety of flavors.
- Swap the bacon with ground sausage, shredded chicken, or other meat. Just ensure the meat is fully cooked.
Tips For Success
Freeze Balls
Make sure that you freeze the balls as directed. So when you go to fry they have to thaw a bit in the oil, which will help them from oozing out all the filling. If you don’t freeze they will fall apart in the oil.
Cookie Scoop
Use a cookie scoop to get evenly shaped balls that are all the same size. Feel free to make them smaller or larger depending on what you would like.
Make Sure the Oil Is Hot
Make sure the oil is hot when you go to place the balls in to fry. If the oil is not hot already it will not create that golden-coated crust that you want. It will keep them soft and you won’t have a crunch.
Thermometer
I do recommend buying a thermometer to place in the oil to monitor temperature. If your oil gets too hot it will cook the outside too quickly and the center can still be a little soft and cold. So having a thermometer keeps the oil where it needs to be in terms of temperature.
Paper Towel Lined Plate
Place the balls on a paper towel-lined plate to allow it to soak up the excess oil on the balls. This is going to help them not feel extra greasy when you go to eat them.
Finely Chop Peppers and Bacon
Make sure that you finely chop the peppers and the bacon. It needs to be small so it doesn’t overpower you when you bite into the balls.
Storing
These jalapeno popper bites are best eaten freshly made, but they can be stored. Place in a sealed container or bag and store in the fridge for 2-3 days. Then you can eat them cold or warm them up in the oven, air fryer, or even microwave. If you heat in the microwave they will have a softer texture.
Or opt to freeze the balls. Place in a freezer bag or container and freeze for up to 4-5 months. Then toss on a pan and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until they are warmed all the way through.
FAQs
How spicy are jalapeño popper bites?
If you leave seeds in the peppers these will have a pretty spicy kick. But if you remove the white membrane and seeds they will be a medium spice.
How do I remove the seeds and membranes from jalapeños?
Slice the pepper in half, lengthwise. Then use a spoon or knife and cut or scrape away the white membrane as well as the seeds. Then run the pepper under cold water. Use gloves if you have sensitive skin as the oil can be harsh.
What are some common dipping sauces for jalapeño popper bites?
Ranch dressing, sour cream, Greek Yogurt, bbq sauce, or other sauces all are great options. Feel free to try a few and see what you like best. Or eat them plain!
More Appetizers
Jalapeno Popper Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
- 4 oz. Cream cheese- room temperature
- 3 medium Jalapenos- seeded and finely diced
- 6 slices Bacon- fully cooked and finely chopped
- 1 tsp. minced Garlic
- ½ cup All-purpose flour
- 2 Eggs lightly beaten
- 2 tsp. Water
- 1 cup Panko crumbs
- Vegetable or canola oil
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl add in the Monterey jack cheese, cream cheese, jalapenos, bacon, and garlic and mix well.
- Using your hands, gather 1-2 tablespoons of the mixture and form into a ball.
- Place balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place in the freezer for 20-30 minutes.
- Gather 3 bowls or deep plates. In one dish, add the flour. In the second dish, whisk the eggs and water together. In the third dish, add the panko crumbs.
- Once the balls have chilled, remove them from the fridge.
- Pour 2 inches of oil into a pot and heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for the best results.
- While the oil is heating, roll each ball into the flour until fully coated.
- Continue with rolling them in the eggs and finally in the panko crumbs.
- Be sure each ball is fully coated.
- Once the oil has heated, carefully place 3-4 balls at a time into the oil.
- Fry until golden brown on all sides.
- Remove from the oil and place on a paper towel to soak up excess oil.
- Repeat until all the balls are golden brown.
- Allow to cool to a desirable temperature and enjoy
Did you make this recipe?
Make sure to follow on Pinterest for more recipes!
Leave A Reply!