Try these crispy jalapeno poppers, perfect finger food for parties. Crispy and spicy jalapenos stuffed with a flavoured cream cheese filling.
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again… crispy, spicy food is the ultimate combination. These crispy jalapeno poppers are no different. These jalapenos are stuffed with a herby cream cheese filling with a hint of garlic, and coated in a seasoned panko breading.
These are a pretty popular appetiser albeit slightly hard to find in restaurants in the UK. They make for a great option for party food for any spice lovers out there. Though I’ll give you some tips on how to tone down the heat as we don’t want them to be too overpowering.
These are really easy to prepare though admittedly a little time consuming, but I promise they’re worth it. I’ve got a few important steps and tips so please make sure to read them – it may save you some burning eyes and exploding poppers!
Jalapenos are within the chilli family and usually have a green appearance, unless allowed to ripen further prior to being harvested. In which case they turn orange, yellow, or red. They vary in terms of their heat and can range from mild to hot.
In all honesty every jalapeno I’ve had has definitely been on the more spicy side but I’ve got some tips below on how to manage this.
For this recipe we want fresh jalapenos, not the pickled ones that can be found in jars. I purchase fresh jalapenos from my local Indian supermarket, but these have always been incredibly spicy.
Unfortunately you can’t really predict the heat when buying jalapenos, the only way to know for sure is to actually try one. We’ll be cutting the jalapenos in half as well as de-seeding and de-veining in order to reduce the heat as the capsaicin (the spicy chemical) is concentrated in these areas.
Can I air-fry or bake Jalapeno Poppers?
In all honesty, it’s not worth it. Baking led to the poorest results with an almost raw coating that did not crisp up successfully whilst the filling burst out.
Air frying led to a slightly more crisp coating but the filling burst out every time as well.
Deep frying does lend the best results and is my recommended choice here.
Crispy jalapeno poppers: the breading
In order to make these crispy they need to have the perfect coating. But this coating also needs to ensure that the cheesy filling does not explode during frying. For that reason we will be dredging these twice which means a thicker coating that will give you jalapeno poppers that will not explode.
I’ve used panko breadcrumbs which are my go-to for breading. I blitz the panko in a food processor till they are slightly more finely ground to ensure a more even coverage. The reason I usually choose panko breadcrumbs are because they are drier and more flaky. They absorb less oil during frying whilst providing a more crisp coating.
You can use regular breadcrumbs here if you wish, it still works absolutely fine! The breadcrumbs will be seasoned with garlic powder, dried parsley and salt.
JALAPENO POPPERS | Crunchy Cream Cheese Jalapeno Poppers
How do you cook jalapenos in a Panko?
Bread the Jalapenos: Dip the peppers in egg beaters and then in the panko. Use a spoon to scoop the panko onto the peppers to ensure all the seasoning doesn’t fall to the bottom of the bowl. Place them on the prepared baking sheet and spray the tops with a little oil. Bake the peppers for 20 to 25 minutes until golden, and the cheese oozes out.
Can jalapenos cause bladder irritation?
Spicy foods like jalapenos may cause bladder irritation in some people. People with incontinence or interstitial cystitis may be more susceptible to bladder irritants in the diet. Bladder irritation can cause pain or discomfort, spasms, or an increase in the urgency or frequency to urinate. Removing all spicy foods for approximately 2 weeks and noting any changes can be helpful to discover whether jalapenos negatively impact the bladder. Also noting any symptoms after the food is added back will provide valuable information.
How do you cook jalapenos in a deep fryer?
Dip them in the beaten eggs again and then coat with the bread crumb mixture. Set aside on piece of parchment paper or a wire rack. Heat oil in a deep fryer (or large pot with a thermometer) to 375˚F. Working in batches, fry several jalapenos poppers at once, for 2-3 minutes, until golden brown.
How do you cook jalapenos in a bread crumb mix?
Dip it into the egg mixture and then into the bread crumb mix. Roll the jalapeno in the breadcrumb mix back and forth and pack it with your hands until it’s covered. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the remaining jalapeno halves until all have been coated twice. Set aside until ready to fry.