Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Jalapenos
"Creamy cheese-stuffed jalapenos wrapped in thick-cut bacon and baked until crispy. The classic party appetizer that always gets finished first."
The Game Plan
-
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. If you don't have a rack, lay the jalapenos directly on the foil.
-
Cut each jalapeno in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and membranes. Wear gloves — jalapeno oil on your hands will burn later when you touch your face.
-
In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese, shredded cheese, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until well combined.
-
Fill each jalapeno half generously with the cream cheese mixture, slightly mounding it.
-
Cut bacon slices in half. Wrap one half-slice of bacon tightly around each stuffed jalapeno half, starting at one end and spiraling to the other.
-
Place the wrapped jalapenos on the rack, seam-side down.
-
Bake for 25 minutes until the bacon is crispy and the filling is bubbling. For extra-crispy bacon, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end.
-
Let cool for 5 minutes before serving — the cream cheese filling is dangerously hot right out of the oven.
