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Grilled Jalapeño Popper Recipe (Easy & Delicious)

Grilled Jalapeño Poppers

Fresh jalapeño halves are filled with seasoned cream cheese and sharp cheddar, wrapped in bacon, and grilled until the peppers are tender and the filling is bubbling hot.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 12 peppers Fresh jalapeño peppers
  • 8 ounces Cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Seasonings
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
Wrapping
  • 12 slices Regular-cut bacon
Equipment
  • as needed Toothpicks

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the grill to approximately 375°F over medium heat. Set it up for indirect grilling if possible, leaving one cooler area where the poppers can cook without sitting directly above the strongest flames.
  2. Rinse and thoroughly dry the jalapeños. Slice each pepper lengthwise, remove the seeds and membranes, and leave the stem attached if desired for an attractive serving handle.
  3. In a bowl, stir together the softened cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until evenly combined.
  4. Spoon or pipe the cheese mixture into the jalapeño halves. Fill them neatly without overfilling, because the cheese expands and may spill out while the poppers cook.
  5. Wrap each stuffed jalapeño half with one regular-cut bacon slice. Secure the bacon with a toothpick, making sure the pick passes through the bacon and pepper without splitting the jalapeño.
  6. Arrange the poppers cut-side up over indirect heat. Close the lid and grill for 20 to 25 minutes, turning or repositioning them as needed, until the bacon is browned and the peppers are tender.
  7. If the bacon needs more color, move the poppers briefly over direct heat at the end. Watch closely and avoid excessive direct heat, which can burn the bacon or make the cheese filling leak.
  8. Transfer the finished poppers to a plate and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. The filling will be extremely hot straight from the grill, so this short rest is important.

Notes

Regular-cut bacon works better than thick-cut bacon because it cooks through before the jalapeños become too soft. Keep the poppers cut-side up over indirect heat for easier grilling and less filling loss. Refrigerate leftovers promptly and reheat gently until hot.