Baked Jalapeño Poppers

Ready In

85 min

Prep

45 min

Cook

40 min

Servings

6 - 8

This oven-baked jalapeño popper is a delicious, crowd-pleasing appetizer for any gathering. For easy cleanup, line a sheet pan with aluminum foil. Choose jalapeños about 4 inches long for easier stuffing and wrapping. Thin-sliced bacon stretches nicely to wrap around the peppers and crisp beautifully during baking. Toothpicks can help secure the bacon, but if the bacon end is tucked under the popper, they may not be necessary.

Vegetable
Appetizers

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds Certified Angus Beef ® ground beef
1-1/2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons granulated garlic
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
8 ounces chive and onion cream cheese
5 ounces shallot and chive Boursin
1/2 cup shredded cheddar
12 to 14 large jalapeños (about 1 1/2 pounds
24 to 28 slices bacon, traditionally sliced (not thick)
1/3 cup barbecue sauce

PREP FILLING. Season beef with salt, pepper, chili powder, granulated garlic, cumin and cayenne. Preheat a cast iron or stainless-steel pan to medium high; cook ground beef until well browned and no pink remains. Use a slotted spoon to remove beef from pan; place in mixing bowl. Preheat oven to 450° F (230° C).
STUFF. Add cream cheese, Boursin and cheddar to beef; mix well to incorporate all ingredients. Cut each pepper in half from stem to tip of jalapeño. Use a teaspoon to remove pith and seeds. Fill each half with enough beef and cheese mixture to be slightly rounded on cut side.
WRAP. Wrap peppers by placing narrow end of bacon slice on top of filled jalapeño, starting at stem end. Stretch bacon while wrapping, overlapping bacon while working to tip of jalapeño. Use a toothpick to secure if needed. Repeat with remaining jalapeños.
BAKE. Place poppers on a large sheet pan lined with parchment or aluminum foil. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until bacon begins to crisp. Remove from oven and set oven to broil. Brush poppers with barbecue sauce and broil for 2 minutes.