Jalapeño Cheesy Spicy Bites (Printable)

Crispy jalapeños filled with creamy cheese and coated in a golden crust for a spicy, cheesy bite.

# What You'll Need:

01 - 8 fresh jalapeño peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded

02 - 115 g (4 oz) cream cheese, softened

03 - 60 g (½ cup) shredded cheddar cheese

04 - 60 g (½ cup) shredded Monterey Jack cheese

05 - 1 small garlic clove, minced

06 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives (optional)

07 - ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika

08 - ¼ teaspoon salt

09 - 2 large eggs

10 - 60 ml (¼ cup) whole milk

11 - 120 g (1 cup) panko breadcrumbs

12 - 30 g (¼ cup) all-purpose flour

13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

02 - In a bowl, combine cream cheese, cheddar, Monterey Jack, minced garlic, chopped chives, smoked paprika, and salt; mix until smooth.

03 - Fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture, ensuring the top is level.

04 - Place flour in one shallow bowl; in a second, beat eggs with milk; and in a third, add panko breadcrumbs.

05 - Dredge each stuffed jalapeño first in flour, then dip into the egg mixture, and finally coat thoroughly in panko breadcrumbs.

06 - Place coated jalapeños on the prepared baking sheet and lightly spray or drizzle with oil for extra crispness.

07 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbling.

08 - Allow poppers to cool for 5 minutes, garnish with chopped cilantro if desired, and serve warm.

01 -

They're impossibly easy to make yet look like you spent hours in the kitchen—your guests won't believe they took only 40 minutes from start to table
The contrast of crispy panko crust against the creamy, spicy cheese filling is absolutely addictive, and everyone at the party will keep reaching for just one more
You can prep them ahead of time and bake them fresh when guests arrive, which means less stress and more time enjoying your own party

02 -

The biggest mistake I made early on was skipping the flour base layer—I thought the egg mixture alone would hold the breadcrumbs, but they slipped right off during baking. The flour creates a crucial adhesive layer that ensures your coating stays put and crisps up properly
Don't skip the cooling step after baking, even though it's tempting. Those 5 minutes allow the filling to set slightly and the exterior to firm up, which makes them infinitely easier to handle and eat without the insides spilling out everywhere

03 -

Oil is your secret weapon for that restaurant-quality crispiness—don't skip this step, and make sure you're using a light spray or drizzle rather than trying to brush it on, which can clump the breadcrumbs
If you're serving these at a party, assemble them early in the day and keep them in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake; cold poppers actually bake more evenly and stay moister inside than room-temperature ones