Baked Mummy Jalapeño Poppers: A Spooky, Cheesy Delight!
Get ready to spookify your snack game with these adorable and delicious Baked Mummy Jalapeño Poppers! Perfect for Halloween parties, spooky movie nights, or any time you’re craving a fun and flavorful appetizer, these poppers are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. They combine the heat of jalapeños with a creamy, cheesy filling, all wrapped in strips of pastry to resemble mini mummies. Baking them makes them healthier than the traditional fried version, while still delivering that satisfying crunch and gooey goodness.
## Why You’ll Love These Mummy Jalapeño Poppers
* **Festive and Fun:** The mummy design is undeniably cute and adds a playful touch to any gathering.
* **Delicious Flavor:** The combination of spicy jalapeños, creamy cheese, and flaky pastry is simply irresistible.
* **Easy to Make:** With just a few simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you can whip up a batch of these poppers in no time.
* **Healthier Than Fried:** Baking instead of frying significantly reduces the fat content without sacrificing flavor.
* **Customizable:** Easily adjust the spice level and filling ingredients to suit your preferences.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
* **Jalapeños:** Choose fresh, firm jalapeños. The size will determine how many poppers you make.
* **Cream Cheese:** Softened cream cheese is essential for a smooth and creamy filling. Full-fat cream cheese provides the best flavor and texture, but reduced-fat can be used as well.
* **Shredded Cheese:** Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a Mexican blend all work well. Experiment to find your favorite combination.
* **Garlic Powder:** Adds a savory depth of flavor to the filling.
* **Onion Powder:** Complements the garlic powder and adds another layer of savory flavor.
* **Smoked Paprika:** Provides a subtle smoky flavor that enhances the overall taste.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To season the filling to your liking.
* **Puff Pastry:** Use store-bought puff pastry for convenience. Make sure it’s thawed but still cold before using.
* **Egg:** For an egg wash, which helps the pastry turn golden brown and adds a slight sheen.
* **Black Sesame Seeds (Optional):** For the mummy’s eyes.
## Equipment You’ll Need
* **Baking Sheet:** To bake the poppers on.
* **Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat:** To prevent the poppers from sticking to the baking sheet.
* **Knife:** To slice the jalapeños.
* **Spoon or Small Knife:** To remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeños.
* **Mixing Bowl:** To prepare the cheese filling.
* **Fork:** To mix the egg wash and apply it to the pastry.
* **Pizza Cutter or Sharp Knife:** To cut the puff pastry into strips.
## Step-by-Step Instructions
**Step 1: Prepare the Jalapeños**
* Wash the jalapeños thoroughly.
* Cut each jalapeño in half lengthwise. If you prefer less spicy poppers, remove the seeds and membranes completely. For a spicier kick, leave some of the seeds in.
* Use a spoon or small knife to carefully scrape out the seeds and membranes. Be sure to wear gloves if you’re sensitive to the oils in jalapeños.
* Set the jalapeño halves aside.
**Step 2: Make the Cheese Filling**
* In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
* Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the filling is smooth and creamy.
**Step 3: Fill the Jalapeños**
* Spoon the cheese filling into each jalapeño half, filling it generously. Make sure the filling is evenly distributed.
* Level the filling with the spoon
**Step 4: Prepare the Puff Pastry**
* Lightly flour a clean surface.
* Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet on the floured surface.
* Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the puff pastry into thin strips, about ¼ to ½ inch wide.
**Step 5: Wrap the Poppers**
* Starting at one end of a filled jalapeño half, wrap a strip of puff pastry around it, leaving a small gap near the top for the “eyes.”
* Continue wrapping the strip of pastry around the jalapeño, overlapping each layer slightly to create the mummy effect.
* Repeat with more strips of pastry until the entire jalapeño is wrapped, except for the small gap for the eyes. Ensure the end of each strip is tucked securely to avoid it unwrapping during baking.
* Repeat the wrapping process with the remaining jalapeño halves.
**Step 6: Add the Eyes (Optional)**
* Before baking, gently press two black sesame seeds into the exposed cheese filling at the top of each popper to create the mummy’s eyes. Alternatively, you can use small dots of black food coloring after baking.
**Step 7: Prepare the Egg Wash**
* In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and a tablespoon of water to create an egg wash.
**Step 8: Brush with Egg Wash**
* Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the puff pastry on each mummy popper with the egg wash. This will help the pastry turn golden brown and crispy in the oven.
**Step 9: Bake the Poppers**
* Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
* Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
* Arrange the mummy jalapeño poppers on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each popper.
* Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown and the cheese filling is melted and bubbly.
**Step 10: Cool and Serve**
* Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the poppers cool for a few minutes before serving.
* Serve warm and enjoy!
## Tips and Variations
* **Spice Level:** Control the heat by adjusting the amount of seeds and membranes you leave in the jalapeños. For milder poppers, remove them completely. For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cheese filling.
* **Cheese Variations:** Experiment with different types of cheese in the filling. Pepper jack cheese will add extra spice, while Gruyere or Swiss cheese will add a nutty flavor.
* **Meat Lovers:** Add cooked and crumbled bacon, sausage, or chorizo to the cheese filling for a meaty twist.
* **Vegetarian Option:** Add finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or corn to the cheese filling.
* **Dipping Sauces:** Serve the mummy jalapeño poppers with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, sour cream, or salsa.
* **Make Ahead:** Prepare the jalapeños and cheese filling ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator until ready to assemble and bake.
* **Freezing:** Baked mummy jalapeño poppers can be frozen for later. Let them cool completely before freezing in an airtight container. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
* **Air Fryer Option:** You can also cook these in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F. Air fry for about 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown.
## Serving Suggestions
* **Halloween Party:** These mummy jalapeño poppers are a must-have appetizer for any Halloween party. Serve them alongside other spooky snacks like spider web dip, monster cookies, and ghost-shaped pizza.
* **Game Day:** Spice up your game day spread with these flavorful poppers. They’re a great alternative to traditional wings and nachos.
* **Movie Night:** Enjoy these poppers during a spooky movie night. Pair them with popcorn, candy, and your favorite scary movie.
* **Potluck:** Bring these mummy jalapeño poppers to your next potluck. They’re sure to be a hit with everyone.
* **Snack Attack:** When you have an intense craving for something savory and spicy, these jalapeño poppers will definitely do the trick.
## Nutritional Information (Approximate)
(Per popper, without dipping sauce) – Note that these are estimates and will vary based on ingredient brands and quantities.
* Calories: 80-120
* Fat: 6-9g
* Saturated Fat: 4-6g
* Cholesterol: 20-30mg
* Sodium: 100-200mg
* Carbohydrates: 4-6g
* Fiber: 0-1g
* Sugar: 1-2g
* Protein: 2-3g
## Make this recipe your own!
These Baked Mummy Jalapeño Poppers are a fun and delicious way to celebrate Halloween or simply enjoy a flavorful snack. With their cute mummy design and irresistible combination of spicy jalapeños and creamy cheese, they’re sure to be a hit with everyone. Get creative with the filling and dipping sauces to make them your own and enjoy! Happy cooking (and haunting!)!