Crispy Jalapeño Poppers (Print version)

Golden jalapeño halves stuffed with cheese blend, breaded and fried until crispy. Paired with cool ranch dipping sauce.

# What You'll Need:

→ Jalapeños

01 - 8 large fresh jalapeño peppers

→ Cheese Filling

02 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
03 - 2 oz shredded cheddar cheese
04 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
05 - 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1/4 tsp salt

→ Breading

07 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
10 - 1/2 tsp salt
11 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ For Frying

12 - Vegetable oil for deep frying

→ Ranch Dip

13 - 1/2 cup prepared ranch dressing

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Slice each jalapeño in half lengthwise and carefully remove seeds and membranes. Wear gloves to protect hands from capsaicin oils.
02 - Combine cream cheese, cheddar, minced garlic, smoked paprika, and salt in a bowl. Mix thoroughly until completely smooth and evenly blended.
03 - Fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture, pressing gently to ensure the cavity is completely filled without overflowing.
04 - Arrange three shallow bowls: place flour in the first, beat eggs in the second, and combine breadcrumbs with salt and pepper in the third.
05 - Dredge each stuffed jalapeño in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into beaten egg, then press firmly into breadcrumb mixture to coat evenly on all sides.
06 - Heat vegetable oil to 350°F. Fry poppers in batches, cooking 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil.
07 - Arrange hot poppers on a serving platter alongside ranch dip for immediate enjoyment.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • That moment when you bite through the crispy breadcrumb crust into the cool, creamy center is absolutely worth the effort
  • These disappear faster than any other appetizer I have ever made, without exception
02 -
  • Wear gloves while handling jalapeños, no matter how tough you think your hands are
  • Let the stuffed peppers chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before breading if the filling feels soft or messy
  • Do not overcrowd the pan while frying or the oil temperature will drop and you will end up with soggy poppers
03 -
  • Pat the jalapeño halves dry with paper towels after seeding them, which helps the filling stick better
  • Use one hand for the dry coating and one hand for the wet coating to keep your fingers from becoming a breaded mess
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