Dutch Oven Jalapeño Poppers
Dutch Oven Jalapeño Poppers kick up backyard barbecues or game days with their spicy hotness, cooling creamy center, and wrapped in bacon.
This post has been updated from its original December 31, 2017 publishing with new content, photographs, and updated recipe card.
If you loved our Cast Iron Bacon Wrapped Pickles, then you’re going to love these bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers.
Any restaurant, bar, game day gathering, or pot luck party you’ve gone to, you’ve probably seen these tasty appetizers on the menu or platter.
What is a jalapeño popper?
What it is, is delicious.
But in all seriousness, a jalapeño popper is a jalapeño pepper that’s been sliced in half, seeds and veins removed, stuffed with seasoned cream cheese and baked.
In this particular recipe, we wrap them in bacon, but that’s just an extra touch we had to have.
Some recipes bread and deep fry them. And we can’t say we blame them. They’re delicious too.
How to make jalapeño poppers?
When shopping for the peppers, look for those with long stems. They really add a fun flourish when plated.
Since we’re wrapping these in bacon, using peppers with a minor ding or dent is just fine.
Clean and pat dry the jalapeños.
Slice them in half lengthwise. If you’ve got the knife skills, try to slice the stem in half as well. They look just wee bit sexier when the stem is still attached.
Scoop out the seeds and veins.
Pre-heat the oven to 350°F.
I recommend setting the cream cheese out a few hours before you want to make the recipe. The softer the cream cheese is, the easier it is to work with, especially getting it into the pepper boat.
Toss the block of cream cheese into a boil and using a fork, stir in the granulated garlic.
Jalapeño popper filling ideas
While we’re using a very basic filing, the possibilities are endless on how you can jazz up the creamy filling.
Here’s a few mix-in ideas, use one, use all.
- Mix in 1 tablespoon finely minced cilantro.
- Mix in 2 teaspoons finely minced chive
- Stir in 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice
- Stir in 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
- Mix in 1 1/4 cups of grated cheddar, Monterrey Jack, and/or mozzarella cheese(s)
- Stir in 1/8 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
- Stir in a hearty dash of salt and/or black pepper
Bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers
Ah, now to the bacon!
Depending on how long the peppers are, you may want to cut the bacon in thirds like pictured above or just in half.
Grab a spoon and scoop some of the cream cheese filling and stuff each pepper.
Once they’re all stuffed, wrap the bacon around the pepper and secure with toothpicks.
I like to have the seam of the bacon on top, but there’s no wrong way to wrap a pepper.
Place them in the Dutch oven or skillet and toss them in the oven. Bake for about 35 minutes
if you want the bacon to crisp up, toss in under the broiler for a minute or two.
Let them cool for just a minute because no likes molten cheese and scorching bacon in their mouth.
We served these Dutch Oven Jalapeño Poppers with a homemade ranch dip from The Complete Savorist.
Dutch Oven Jalapeño Poppers
Equipment
- 12" Camp Oven or
- 12-inch cast iron skillet or
- 6 quart Dutch Oven
- toothpicks
Ingredients
- 10 jalapeños sliced in half length wise and seeds removed
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- 1 lb bacon regular thickness
Instructions
- Set out cream cheese to bring to room temperature before using.
- Pre-heat oven to 350°F.
- Clean, slice, de-seed, and de-vein the peppers; set aside.
- Mix cream cheese and garlic powder in medium bowl.
- Fill each jalapeño slice with cream cheese mixture.
- Wrap the bacon around each stuffed jalapeño.
- Secure bacon with a toothpick.
- Add poppers to a 12" camp oven, 6 quart Dutch oven, or 12" skillet.
- Bake for 35 minutes or until bacon is cooked through.
- For extra crispy bacon, place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes.
- Allow to rest for a few mintues; serve and enjoy.
Oh wow! These Jalapeño Poppers look so good wrapped in the bacon. Such a fantastic combination of flavors.
Made a small practice batch last night and they were awesome! Going to be making these for the big game day in Feb when we host!
These jalapeno pepper look delicious! A perfect NYE appetizer.
Wow! These jalapeno poppers look incredible! Love all that crispy bacon and that they all fit in the Dutch oven at one time.
We love jalapeno poppers and this was such a good way to cook them. I will be cooking them this way in future too.
I love jalapeno poppers but when I came across this recipe with bacon, I knew I had to make them! These poppers are absolutely delish!!!
I’ve had jalapeno poppers before, but never wrapped in bacon! This is delicious!
These jalapeno poppers look fantastic! They are a perfect appetizer or snack.
Such an amazing appetizer!! Everyone at my house enjoyed it!