Cheddar Bacon Ranch Jalapeno Poppers

These spicy and zesty baked Cheddar Bacon Ranch Jalapeno Poppers make the perfect two bite party appetizer and are especially great for game day gatherings.

Why this recipe works:

Jalapeno poppers come in all shapes and sizes. You might consider the traditional jalapeno popper is breaded and deep fried. The thought of that sounds absolutely tantalizing, but also a lot of work. 

This recipe is wonderfully easy because raw fresh jalapeno halves are filled with a simple filling mixture and then baked. 

The ranch really kicks up the flavor and adds that zing we all crave. The combination of flavors with the added crunch from the bacon make these spicy little appetizers absolutely delicious.

Here's how to make them:

1. Start by slicing the jalapenos lengthwise and removing the seeds and the veins. You can leave the stems on.
2. Next you will mix the filling which is a combination of cream cheese, ranch seasoning mix, cooked and crumbled bacon, sliced green onions, and cheddar cheese.
3. The filling gets spooned into the jalapeno shells and topped with additional sharp cheddar cheese.
4. The jalapeno poppers are then baked in the oven for about a half hour until they are golden brown on top and heated through.

Recipe tips:

• If you have sensitive skin or your jalapenos are particularly spicy, you may want to consider wearing latex gloves when handling the peppers. Be very careful not to touch your eyes at any point that day!
• You can use a bag of pre-shredded cheddar cheese to make it easier, but I always find that freshly grated cheese from a block melts better.
• You can use your favorite kind of bacon, but for this recipe I recommend using bacon ends and pieces if you can find them. They are typically less expensive than sliced bacon and work wonderfully in any recipe that requires cooked crumbled bacon.
• Some of the cheese and filling will spill over during the baking process. You can spoon it back in the shell before you take the baking sheet out of the oven. Also, you can line the baking sheet with parchment paper or foil before placing the jalapeno poppers on top for easier clean up.

Did you make this recipe? Please leave me a comment below to let me know what you think!

Cheesy Bacon Ranch Jalapeno Poppers

These spicy and zesty Cheesy Bacon Ranch Jalapeno Poppers make the perfect two bite appetizer for any game day celebration.

5 from 4 votes

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Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Hover to scale: 20 poppers

Chef: Krissy Allori

Ingredients

• ▢ 8-10 medium jalapeno peppers (halved lengthwise with seeds and veins removed)
• ▢ 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
• ▢ 2 tablespoons Ranch Seasoning Mix
• ▢ 8 ounces bacon (okay to use ends and pieces or regular bacon, needs to be cooked & crumbled)
• ▢ 2 green onions (thinly sliced)
• ▢ 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded and divided)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a medium sized bowl, mix together cream cheese, ranch seasoning mix, bacon, green onions, and half of the shredded cheddar. Mix well to combine.
• Fill each well of the halved jalapenos with the mixture and then top with additional shredded cheese.
• Place on baking sheet and bake in preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or just until the tops start to turn golden brown and the cheese mixture starts to bubble.
• Serve warm.

Notes

Nutritional information based on one jalapeno popper as a serving.

Recipe tips:

• If you have sensitive skin or your jalapenos are particularly spicy, you may want to consider wearing latex gloves when handling the peppers. Be very careful not to touch your eyes at any point that day!
• You can use a bag of pre-shredded cheddar cheese to make it easier, but I always find that freshly grated cheese from a block melts better.
• You can use your favorite kind of bacon, but for this recipe I recommend using bacon ends and pieces if you can find them. They are typically less expensive than sliced bacon and work wonderfully in any recipe that requires cooked crumbled bacon.
• Some of the cheese and filling will spill over during the baking process. You can spoon it back in the shell before you take the baking sheet out of the oven. Also, you can line the baking sheet with parchment paper or foil before placing the jalapeno poppers on top for easier clean up.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

Calories: 126kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 277mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 314IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 1mg

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This recipe was originally published in February 2016 and has since been updated with more helpful information and cooking tips. Don't worry - I didn't change the recipe!