Bringing Spice to a Pot Luck: Mouthwatering Smoked Jalapeno Poppers Recipe

Tired of boring office parties or stiff church potlucks? Liven up the party with these mouthwatering smoked jalapeno poppers.
By
Jeremy Bivens
Jeremy Bivens
Research Writer
Jeremy Bivens is a passionate writer and grilling enthusiast. He's been working as a freelance journalist for over 15 years now and has a particular interest in food writing read more
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Reviewed By
Bruce Williams
Bruce Williams
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Claims that grilling is the art that he has been learning all his life long and is not planning to stop. Has been grilling for as long as he can remember. Author of numerous read more
Last updated: August 26, 2023
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Office parties, dorm mixers, single minglers at the post office, church potlucks, community dinners; all of these have the potential to be so much better but are usually dry, dull, and stiff. There is full of amazing people typically, but that does not mean that there is much pizazz in the beige board rooms or church basements. Make those outings something so much more with a kick of heat.

This smoked jalapeno poppers recipe is guaranteed to liven up the worst of parties. It’ll also get you noticed for the spicy chef you know you are. Whether you’re going to a small-town church potluck or heading to a student mingler at your new university campus dorm, this is a hit with all crowds. Bring your potluck to a whole new level with these spicy nuggets of deliciousness.

What Are Smoked Jalapeno Poppers?

Bringing Spice to a Pot Luck: Mouthwatering Smoked Jalapeno Poppers Recipe
Smoked jalapeno poppers are jalapeno peppers stuffed with cheese, wrapped in bacon, and smoked. This is a delicious example of Mexican cuisine.

This recipe could and should become a staple in your household. But regularly having and maintaining a smoker can be a stressful decision. But it does not have to be. There are a wide variety of smokers that are very reasonable in their price. There are numerous models from well-known brands like Cuisinart, Smoke Hollow, Charbroil, Landmann, and even Masterbuilt, all for under $200! It’s an amazing deal for such a remarkable piece of equipment. Cuisinart is one of the most well-known brands when it comes to kitchen appliances. It’s also one of the most affordable companies. Their 30-inch electric smoker is a perfect example. At such a fair price, this is a wonderful addition to any home. These models are known for helping to create delicious meals! Jalapeno poppers are just one recipe of many.

Jalapeno Poppers’ Brief History

Jalapeno poppers all began in Mexico with a classic in Mexican cuisine known as Chiles Rellenos Trusted Source Latin American Cuisine Concentration Chiles are a very big part of the Mexican culture. Chiles such as ancho, guajillo, pasilla, and others are categorized by their heat when dried. When cooking with dried chiles, they may have to be reconstituted. You do this by opening them up, taking the seeds out, and soaking or cooking them in hot water. Chiles also change when cooked using different methods like dry roasting, frying, reconstituting, and grinding in a molcajete.  For my chiles rellenos dish, I made ancho chiles stuffed with queso chihuahua with salsa brava tarahomara, that are called pambazos. blog.ciachef.edu . This is a type of stuffed pepper using poblano peppers filled with cheese and fried. Many historians theorize that the Chile Rellenos inspired the modern jalapeno pepper.  Jalapenos themselves have a rich history in Mexico. Jalapeño peppers were originally named after the city of Xalapa in Mexico Trusted Source ‘NuMex Jalmundo’ Jalapeño The jalapeño is one of the most popular and one of the most recognized chile peppers grown and consumed in the United States. Jalapeños are sold fresh, frozen, canned, and pickled. A new market category within jalapeños are the “poppers” or jumbo fruits. Poppers are jalapeño fruits that have been hollowed out; stuffed with a cheddar, Monterey Jack, or cream cheese mix; then breaded with a milk–egg–breadcrumb mixture and deep-fried. They are usually served with a dip as hors d’oeuvres. Fruits of ‘NuMex Jalmundo’ are perfect for use as poppers. In addition, ‘NuMex Jalmundo’ is adapted to regions similar in climate to the southern New Mexico production area where it can be expected to produce excellent yields under commercial production practices. journals.ashs.org . This is where they are traditionally grown. These recipes and peppers are it is an important part of Mexican cuisine. Here’s a fun fact – the jalapeno Trusted Source Texas State Symbol – Jalapeno The jalapeno was adopted as the Texas state pepper on May 10, 1995. Peppers were present in the diets of Native Americans in Central Mexico as early as 9,000 years ago. The jalapeno, the most popular pepper, measures in at 2,500 – 9,000 Scoville heat units depending on its growing conditions. wheretexasbecametexas.org pepper is the official state pepper of Texas.

Proper Spices and Spicing

Getting the spices right is vital. Nobody grabs a jalapeno popper because they don’t know their spice. They’re expecting a delicious blend of spice and heat that complements one another. Too much spice not enough space is enough to make this recipe flop. Don’t worry! Keep reading, and you’ll make poppers that pop instead. It’s a spicy addition to any dinner party or sitcom. Creating these mouthwatering morsels isn’t easy without the right equipment. For this recipe, you do need to have a smoker of some sort or rather. Masterbrand is one brand that ranks higher than the competition. They are dedicated to the quality and craftsmen ship that their customers use for their cooking. Their top models are some of the leading designs with a variety of affordable smokers.

Extra Ingredients

Bringing Spice to a Pot Luck: Mouthwatering Smoked Jalapeno Poppers Recipe
Marinate your bacon in chili pepper-infused honey. Use hickory-smoked bacon with the poppers.

This may be a basic recipe, but it doesn’t have to be. Don’t let it stop here. There’s an endless amount of additional ingredients to try with these poppers.

Add spiced honey – bring another layer of heat wrapped in sweet, sweet honey. This brings out the natural flavors of the jalapeno peppers ever so beautifully.

Make it healthy – yes, there is a way to make jalapeno poppers healthy. For another layer of a healthy lifestyle, cooking tries baking these treats in an air fryer. All combined, it’s a lower-carb, lower-calorie, lower-fat healthy jalapeno popper recipe.

Add in some carbs – instead of just cheese inside the pepper, try adding some deliciously cheesy macaroni and cheese.

Make it spicier – if you want more heat in your poppers, try using jalapeno cream cheese instead. Utilize chili peppers as a small decoration on top of them.

Bringing Spice to a Pot Luck: Mouthwatering Smoked Jalapeno Poppers Recipe 3

Smoked Jalapeno Poppers – The Recipe

These are delicious little treats that you can just pop in your mouth. Plus, they’re wrapped in bacon. Seriously, everything is better with bacon. If you don’t believe me, check out bacon-wrapped meatloaf or bacon-wrapped ice cream sandwiches, or even candied bacon-wrapped figs.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Servings 6 people
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 6 jalapeno peppers
  • 12 ounces cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated
  • 3 t bbq rub, chili spice blend, garlic plus this is chef’s preference
  • 1 block parmesan cheese
  • 6 slices bacon

Instructions
 

  • Prep the jalapenos by cutting off the stems and slicing them lengthwise.
    Bringing Spice to a Pot Luck: Mouthwatering Smoked Jalapeno Poppers Recipe 5
  • Scoop out the seeds. If you’d like to limit the spice of the pepper, soak these in water for 30 minutes to one hour.
    Bringing Spice to a Pot Luck: Mouthwatering Smoked Jalapeno Poppers Recipe 7
  • Get the grill ready to cook at low heat between 200 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it hit the required temperature, add in the wood chips.
    Bringing Spice to a Pot Luck: Mouthwatering Smoked Jalapeno Poppers Recipe 9
  • In a medium mixing bowl, mix all of the cream cheese and cheddar cheese. Put a spoonful in each of the jalapeno halves.
    Bringing Spice to a Pot Luck: Mouthwatering Smoked Jalapeno Poppers Recipe 11
  • Sprinkle your favorite bbq rub or garlic plus or family secret hot chili blend.
    Bringing Spice to a Pot Luck: Mouthwatering Smoked Jalapeno Poppers Recipe 13
  • Top with another layer of shredded cheese and parmesan.
    Bringing Spice to a Pot Luck: Mouthwatering Smoked Jalapeno Poppers Recipe 15
  • Wrap one piece of bacon around each of the peppers. Each popper should use one piece of bacon.
    Bringing Spice to a Pot Luck: Mouthwatering Smoked Jalapeno Poppers Recipe 17
  • Place the poppers on the grill. Let them smoke for about half an hour with the lid closed.
    Bringing Spice to a Pot Luck: Mouthwatering Smoked Jalapeno Poppers Recipe 19
  • Remove from the grill and impress your guests.
    Bringing Spice to a Pot Luck: Mouthwatering Smoked Jalapeno Poppers Recipe 21

Video

Notes

We’ve scoured the internet for some of the best tips and tricks when it comes to creating this delicious dish. Skills are vital for a chef but so are their tools. For this delicious smoked jalapeno popper, having a smoker is not an option. It’s a necessity. There are numerous types and brands to choose from with an almost overwhelming amount of options. Take some advice from the resources and tips below.
  • Want to minimize the spice?
There are a few different ways to minimize the natural spice in the peppers. Try cutting the pepper in half, removing all the seeds and membranes. Then soak them in cold water for between 30 minutes to an hour.
  • Doesn’t jalapeno burn?
When you’re handling these peppers, they can burn those with sensitive skin or if you happen to cross-contaminate and some of the oil ends up in your eyes. If you get jalapeno juice in your eye, wash your hands thoroughly before soaking a cotton ball or washcloth in milk and placing it over your eyes. This works because the capsaicin within the pepper (what makes it spicy) is fat-soluble. It breaks down in the milk. It's the same reason that drinking milk will get rid of the burning heat of spice better than juice or pop, or water.
  • Don’t know what wood to use?
There are many different types of wood to use when smoking. When it comes to choosing a type of wood chip to bring into your smoker, it's important to remember not only the flavor of the chips but also the quality.
Western Bbq Smoking Chips is a high-quality brand with a range of types and flavors. According to reviews from around the world, this natural raw wood right from the states is a fantastic style of chip that adds great depth and flavor. Among the available flavors are maple, peach, apple, and cherry. Each of these is ideal for bringing out the sweetness against the spice of the pepper.
  • What do I do with jalapeno seeds?
When you’re making these poppers, you’ll go through quite a few peppers. That means quite a lot of pepper seeds. Besides throwing them out or composting them, what can you do with these seeds? It may sound like a lot of effort but planting these little guys means that you’ll have your supply of jalapeno poppers. It ensures that this recipe will be a staple for you and your family.
  • What about dip?
Now you’re asking the right questions. There should be a dip for these delicious goodies. However, everyone has the type of dip they prefer. There is always the classic marina that’s popular with jalapeno poppers, mozzarella sticks, breadsticks, tortilla chips, raw veggies, crackers, and so much more. However, there are also delicious creamy dips like jalapeno spinach dip or a spicy chili creamed cheese ball. The options are endless.
  • Can you use other peppers for these jalapeno poppers?
Technically you can. To follow the same intention of the jalapeno poppers, the peppers should be spicy such as cayenne, habanero, and so on. In fact, all of those peppers are among some of the most common and most popular types of spicy pepper types. You can use normal peppers though those would be more like stuffed peppers and less like a jalapeno popper.

Nutrition

Calories: 150kcal

Final Thoughts

Smoked jalapeno poppers are stable at any social gathering worth their salt. These are the difference between a hip and trendy office party and an office party where you only stay until the mini cupcakes are gone. These little poppers are a great way to spice up any gathering, no matter how boring. This smoked jalapeno poppers recipe combines all the elements that your guests expect; spice, pizazz, pop, and most of all, flavor. This recipe provides a great deal of intense spice and an even more intense taste. This is a delicious recipe for jalapeno poppers, but it doesn’t take my word for it. Try it for yourself and take a bite. Comment below what you thought! Is your mind blown, or do you have suggestions? We’d love to hear them!

References

1.
Latin American Cuisine Concentration
Chiles are a very big part of the Mexican culture. Chiles such as ancho, guajillo, pasilla, and others are categorized by their heat when dried. When cooking with dried chiles, they may have to be reconstituted. You do this by opening them up, taking the seeds out, and soaking or cooking them in hot water. Chiles also change when cooked using different methods like dry roasting, frying, reconstituting, and grinding in a molcajete.  For my chiles rellenos dish, I made ancho chiles stuffed with queso chihuahua with salsa brava tarahomara, that are called pambazos.
2.
‘NuMex Jalmundo’ Jalapeño
The jalapeño is one of the most popular and one of the most recognized chile peppers grown and consumed in the United States. Jalapeños are sold fresh, frozen, canned, and pickled. A new market category within jalapeños are the “poppers” or jumbo fruits. Poppers are jalapeño fruits that have been hollowed out; stuffed with a cheddar, Monterey Jack, or cream cheese mix; then breaded with a milk–egg–breadcrumb mixture and deep-fried. They are usually served with a dip as hors d’oeuvres. Fruits of ‘NuMex Jalmundo’ are perfect for use as poppers. In addition, ‘NuMex Jalmundo’ is adapted to regions similar in climate to the southern New Mexico production area where it can be expected to produce excellent yields under commercial production practices.
3.
Texas State Symbol – Jalapeno
The jalapeno was adopted as the Texas state pepper on May 10, 1995. Peppers were present in the diets of Native Americans in Central Mexico as early as 9,000 years ago. The jalapeno, the most popular pepper, measures in at 2,500 – 9,000 Scoville heat units depending on its growing conditions.
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