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Bacon Jalapeño Popper Bites

Bacon jalapeño popper bites are oven-baked jalapeño halves filled with a creamy cheddar mixture and wrapped in crispy bacon. Expect bubbling filling and a light char on the edges at 400°F.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 155
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Jalapeños
  • 12 jalapeño large, halved lengthwise and seeded
Cream cheese filling
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
Bacon wrap
  • 12 strips thin-cut bacon halved crosswise
Drizzle (optional)
  • 0.25 cup honey for drizzling

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep and preheat
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with a wire rack. This keeps the bacon elevated so it crisps instead of steaming.
Make the filling
  1. Mix together the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, and smoked paprika until fully combined. Stop when the mixture looks smooth and uniformly speckled.
Stuff and wrap
  1. Fill each jalapeño half generously with the cream cheese mixture using a spoon or piping bag. The tops should be mounded so they can bubble as they bake.
  2. Wrap each filled jalapeño half tightly with a half-strip of bacon and secure with a toothpick. The bacon should be snug enough to stay in place during baking.
  3. Arrange the popper bites on the wire rack in a single layer. Leave a little space between them so hot air can circulate and crisp the bacon.
Bake and serve
  1. Bake at 400°F for 18–22 minutes until the bacon is crispy and the filling is bubbling. Look for golden edges and visible bubbling coming up from the jalapeños.
  2. Drizzle with honey if desired and serve hot. Serve immediately while the bacon is crisp and the filling stays glossy.

Notes

Pro tip: seed the jalapeños thoroughly for a more controlled heat level. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; rewarm on a baking sheet at 350°F for 6–8 minutes to help re-crisp the bacon. Freeze yes—freeze cooled bites on a tray, then bag up for up to 2 months; reheat straight from frozen at 350°F for 12–16 minutes. For a lower-carb option, use reduced-sugar honey or skip the drizzle and keep the filling portions generous while swapping to a reduced-fat cream cheese.