Grilled Jalapeño Poppers: The Ultimate Summer Appetizer
Jalapeño poppers are a beloved appetizer, and grilling them elevates them to a whole new level of deliciousness. The smoky char from the grill perfectly complements the spicy jalapeños, creamy cheese filling, and crispy bacon wrapping. This recipe provides detailed instructions for making the best grilled jalapeño poppers, ensuring they are a hit at your next barbecue or summer gathering.
## Why Grill Your Jalapeño Poppers?
While baked jalapeño poppers are a classic, grilling offers several advantages:
* **Smoky Flavor:** The grill imparts a wonderful smoky flavor that you simply can’t achieve in the oven.
* **Crispier Bacon:** The high heat of the grill renders the bacon perfectly crispy.
* **Quick Cooking Time:** Grilling cooks the poppers relatively quickly, making them ideal for a party or cookout.
* **Outdoor Cooking:** Keep the heat outside during hot summer months.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
* **Jalapeños:** Choose large, firm jalapeños. The size will determine how much filling you can pack in. Try to find jalapeños of similar size for even cooking.
* **Cream Cheese:** Full-fat cream cheese is recommended for the best flavor and texture. Let it soften at room temperature for easier mixing.
* **Shredded Cheese:** Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend of cheeses work well. Sharp cheddar adds a nice bite.
* **Bacon:** Thin-cut bacon is ideal for wrapping around the poppers and cooking quickly. You can also use thicker cut, but be aware it will take longer to crisp up and may require par-cooking the bacon prior to wrapping.
* **Optional Add-ins:** Green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper (for extra heat), cooked sausage, shredded chicken, or your favorite herbs and spices.
**Detailed Ingredient List:**
* 12 large jalapeños
* 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese blend)
* 12 slices bacon
* 1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional)
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
* 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
* 1/4 teaspoon paprika (optional)
* Cayenne pepper to taste (optional, for extra heat)
* Olive oil or cooking spray
## Equipment You’ll Need
* Grill (gas or charcoal)
* Grill brush
* Small bowl
* Mixing spoon
* Knife
* Cutting board
* Gloves (optional, but recommended for handling jalapeños)
* Tongs
* Toothpicks (optional, to secure the bacon)
## Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these detailed steps to create perfect grilled jalapeño poppers every time:
**1. Prepare the Jalapeños:**
* **Wear gloves:** Jalapeño peppers can irritate your skin. Wearing gloves is highly recommended.
* **Cut the jalapeños in half lengthwise:** Use a sharp knife to carefully cut each jalapeño in half from stem to tip.
* **Remove the seeds and membranes:** Use a spoon or small knife to scrape out the seeds and membranes. This is where most of the heat resides, so removing them will reduce the spiciness. If you like your poppers extra spicy, leave some of the seeds in.
* **Rinse the jalapeño halves:** Rinse the jalapeño halves under cold water to ensure all the seeds and membranes are removed.
* **Dry the jalapeño halves:** Pat the jalapeño halves dry with paper towels. This will help the filling adhere better.
**2. Prepare the Filling:**
* **Soften the cream cheese:** Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easy mixing. You can microwave it for a few seconds if needed, but be careful not to melt it.
* **Combine the ingredients:** In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheese, green onions (if using), garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
* **Taste and adjust:** Taste the filling and adjust the seasonings as needed. Add more cheese, spices, or herbs to your liking.
**3. Fill the Jalapeños:**
* **Fill each jalapeño half:** Use a spoon or your fingers to fill each jalapeño half with the cream cheese mixture. Pack the filling in tightly, mounding it slightly above the edge of the jalapeño.
**4. Wrap with Bacon:**
* **Wrap each filled jalapeño with bacon:** Wrap each filled jalapeño half with a slice of bacon. Start at one end and wrap the bacon around the jalapeño, overlapping slightly. If the bacon is short, you may need to use half a slice for some poppers.
* **Secure with toothpicks (optional):** If desired, secure the bacon with toothpicks. This will prevent the bacon from unraveling during grilling. Be sure to soak wooden toothpicks in water for at least 30 minutes before using them to prevent them from burning on the grill. If using metal skewers, no soaking is needed.
**5. Prepare the Grill:**
* **Clean the grill grates:** Use a grill brush to clean the grill grates thoroughly. This will prevent the poppers from sticking.
* **Oil the grill grates:** Lightly oil the grill grates with olive oil or cooking spray. This will further prevent sticking.
* **Preheat the grill:** Preheat the grill to medium heat (about 350-400°F or 175-200°C).
**6. Grill the Jalapeño Poppers:**
* **Place the poppers on the grill:** Place the bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers on the grill grates, bacon-side down first.
* **Grill for 5-7 minutes per side:** Grill for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the bacon is crispy and the jalapeños are slightly softened. Turn the poppers carefully with tongs to avoid losing the filling. Watch closely to prevent the bacon from burning.
* **Monitor the internal temperature:** The internal temperature of the filling should reach 165°F (74°C).
**7. Remove and Serve:**
* **Remove the poppers from the grill:** Once the bacon is crispy and the filling is heated through, remove the poppers from the grill using tongs.
* **Remove toothpicks (if used):** If you used toothpicks to secure the bacon, carefully remove them before serving.
* **Let cool slightly:** Allow the poppers to cool for a few minutes before serving. The filling will be very hot.
* **Serve immediately:** Serve the grilled jalapeño poppers immediately. They are best enjoyed warm.
## Tips for Perfect Grilled Jalapeño Poppers
* **Choose the right jalapeños:** Look for large, firm jalapeños that are free of blemishes. Uniform size is helpful for even cooking.
* **Adjust the heat:** Remove all the seeds and membranes for milder poppers. Leave some seeds in for extra heat. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the filling.
* **Soften the cream cheese:** Softened cream cheese is essential for a smooth and creamy filling. Don’t skip this step!
* **Don’t overfill the jalapeños:** Overfilling can cause the filling to spill out during grilling.
* **Use thin-cut bacon:** Thin-cut bacon crisps up more quickly and evenly on the grill.
* **Preheat the grill properly:** A properly preheated grill ensures even cooking and crispy bacon.
* **Keep a close eye on the poppers:** Watch the poppers closely while grilling to prevent the bacon from burning.
* **Use indirect heat:** For a slightly gentler cooking method, especially if your grill runs hot, consider using indirect heat. Place the poppers on a part of the grill that is not directly over the flame. This will help prevent the bacon from burning before the jalapeños are cooked through.
* **Experiment with fillings:** Get creative with your fillings! Try adding different cheeses, meats, or vegetables. Some popular additions include cooked sausage, shredded chicken, corn, black beans, or caramelized onions.
* **Serve with a dipping sauce:** A cool and creamy dipping sauce, such as ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or sour cream, can provide a nice contrast to the heat of the jalapeños.
## Variations and Add-Ins
* **Sausage Jalapeño Poppers:** Add cooked and crumbled sausage to the cream cheese filling for a hearty twist.
* **Chicken Jalapeño Poppers:** Mix shredded cooked chicken into the cream cheese filling.
* **Seafood Jalapeno Poppers:** Use small shrimp or crabmeat as filling.
* **Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Jalapeño Poppers:** wrap with bacon after filling with shredded chicken.
* **Vegetarian Jalapeño Poppers:** Skip the bacon and use a vegetarian bacon substitute or simply grill the poppers without bacon.
* **Different Cheese Combinations:** Experiment with different cheese combinations in the filling, such as pepper jack, mozzarella, or provolone.
* **Spicy Jalapeño Poppers:** Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the cream cheese filling for extra heat. You can also use hotter peppers like Serrano or habanero, but be very careful when handling them.
* **Sweet and Spicy Jalapeño Poppers:** Add a touch of sweetness to the filling with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.
## Serving Suggestions
Grilled jalapeño poppers are a versatile appetizer that can be served at a variety of occasions:
* **Barbecues and Cookouts:** They are a perfect addition to any summer barbecue or cookout.
* **Game Day:** Serve them as a crowd-pleasing appetizer while watching your favorite sports team.
* **Parties:** They are a great snack to serve at parties and gatherings.
* **Happy Hour:** Enjoy them as a tasty treat during happy hour.
* **As a Side Dish:** Serve alongside grilled steak, chicken, or burgers.
They pair well with a variety of dipping sauces:
* Ranch Dressing
* Blue Cheese Dressing
* Sour Cream
* Guacamole
* Salsa
* Spicy Mayo
## Storage Instructions
* **Refrigerate:** Store leftover grilled jalapeño poppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* **Reheat:** Reheat the poppers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but the bacon may not be as crispy. Air frying for a few minutes is also an excellent reheating method.
* **Freezing is not recommended:** The texture of the cream cheese can change after freezing, making the poppers less enjoyable.
## Nutritional Information (per popper, approximate)
* Calories: 150-200
* Fat: 12-16g
* Saturated Fat: 7-9g
* Cholesterol: 40-50mg
* Sodium: 200-300mg
* Carbohydrates: 3-5g
* Fiber: 1-2g
* Sugar: 1-2g
* Protein: 6-8g
*Note: Nutritional information can vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*
## Conclusion
Grilled jalapeño poppers are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer that is sure to be a hit with your friends and family. With their smoky flavor, creamy filling, and crispy bacon, they are the perfect addition to any summer gathering. Follow this recipe and tips for perfect results every time. Enjoy!