Fun and Tasty Jalapeno Popper Recipes

Spice up Your Life

By
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
A freelance journalist and avid home cook, Cathy Jacobs has more than 10 years of food writing experience, with a focus on curating approachable menus and recipe collections.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 08/5/21
Jalapeno-Cheddar Football Cheese Ball recipe

The Spruce / Leah Maroney

Bring home the flavors of the popular, spicy, crispy, cheesy, pub-style jalapeno poppers appetizer with these fun and unique recipes that go beyond what you expect. From the classic baked or fried snack that is easy for guests to pick up and polish off at parties, to tongue-tingling dips for crackers, and even a baked jalapeno popper casserole, you'll love these easy, creative ideas. Make them for football Sundays, entertaining, and family board game nights.

How to Prepare Jalapenos:

  • Always wear gloves to cut jalapenos. The oils in the peppers can sting and burn your hands. Be careful not to touch your face, either!
  • To hollow out a jalapeno pepper, slice it in half lengthwise. Using the side edge of a small spoon, scoop out the seeds and inner membranes (this is where the heat resides) and discard. You will still get all the jalapeno flavor, without the burning heat.
  • If you prefer your food spicy, go ahead and leave some of the inner ribs of peppers intact. For a milder eating experience, though, you will want to remove the seeds and ribs entirely.
  • 01 of 07

    Jalapeno Poppers

    Jalapeno Poppers recipe

    The Crimson Monkey / Getty Images

    Crispy, creamy, lightly spicy, and cheesy, these classic jalapeno poppers make the perfect game day or potluck party snack. This handy recipe makes enough to feed a crowd. To prep them in advance, stuff and freeze the halved peppers without cooking, placing them on a single layer on a cookie sheet, and then store them in airtight freezer bags. When ready to heat and serve, bake them directly from frozen in a medium oven, or fry them in oil until golden brown, crispy, and hot all the way through.

  • 02 of 07

    Jalapeno Popper Dip

    Jalapeno Popper Dip recipe

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    Turbo-charge your next gathering with this super-tasty baked party dip. It has all the flavors and textures of your favorite, restaurant-style jalapeno popper appetizer, including crispy bacon, taco-style seasonings, and creamy cheese, in the form of an easy, cheesy warm dip. Serve it with tortilla chips for scooping, or pour it over a platter of chips for the wildest nachos ever. Just don't forget to provide napkins!

  • 03 of 07

    Jalapeno Popper Parm

    Jalapeno Popper Parm recipe

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    When you crave comfort food, try this easy jalapeno popper, cheese, and tomato sauce casserole. With just four convenient ingredients, including frozen jalapeno poppers, it will remind you of a classic eggplant Parmesan with even more crunchy, spicy, cheesy goodness inside. Throw it together and bake it up in less than 30 minutes for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner. You could also slice it into smaller squares to turn it into Tex-Mex style tapas appetizers.

  • 04 of 07

    Jalapeno-Cheddar Football Cheese Ball

    Jalapeno-Cheddar Football Cheese Ball recipe

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Smoky, garlicky, spicy, and cheesy, this sports-themed cheese ball is the ultimate Super Bowl snack. It comes together in less than 30 minutes, including time for chilling, and is sure to score a touchdown at your next football watching or tailgating event. It is filled with all the flavors you love in jalapeno poppers, including chopped spicy peppers, and salty bacon. Serve it up with crackers, pretzels, and breadsticks for a show-stopping snack.

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  • 05 of 07

    Keto Jalapeno Poppers

    Keto Jalapeno Poppers recipe

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Keto jalapeno poppers are the perfect bite when you want to get your appetizer game on without sacrificing your keto diet. These simply delicious pepper poppers are stuffed with a cheesy cream cheese filling and topped with smoky bacon for a snack that will please everyone. You need only 6 ingredients, and about half an hour to whip up a batch you can serve with some cool ranch or blue cheese dressing.

  • 06 of 07

    Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese

    Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese recipe

    The Spruce

    Give the classic grilled cheese a Tex-Mex twist with this tongue-tingling recipe. It is easy to prepare with fresh or pickled jalapenos, gooey Colby Jack cheese, cream cheese, and scallions, all sandwiched between two slices of toasty sourdough bread and griddled in a pat of butter until golden brown, hot, and melty.

  • 07 of 07

    Breadcrumb-Topped Jalapeno Popper Dip

    Breadcrumb-Topped Jalapeno Popper Dip recipe

    The Spruce

    With only 8 ingredients, this easy breadcrumb-topped jalapeno popper dip is a budget-friendly party snack. It is a cinch to assemble and has all the great spicy taste of fried jalapeno poppers without the extra work of stuffing peppers by hand. Your guests will love digging crackers into the crispy, golden breadcrumb crust to find the delicious, creamy, jalapeno, and green chile-flecked dip beneath.