Introducing Cheesy Jalapeño Popper Bites – a delightful twist on the classic bacon jalapeño poppers, these little morsels are packed with flavor and the perfect appetizer to kickstart your meal!
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Jalapeño Popper Cheese Bites
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 23 minutes
Chill: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 8 minutes
Ingredients:
Filling:
- 1 cup of freshly shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 4 ounces of cream cheese, at room temperature
- 3 medium-sized jalapeños, finely diced and seeds removed
- 6 slices of crispy bacon, crumbled
- 1 teaspoon of minced garlic
Flour Mixture:
- 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon of Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground pepper
Egg Mixture:
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons of water
Breading Mixture:
- 1 cup of plain breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
For Frying:
- Vegetable or canola oil
Instructions:
Creating the Filling:
- Begin by combining the freshly shredded Monterey Jack cheese, creamy room-temperature cream cheese, finely diced jalapeños, crumbled bacon, and minced garlic in a spacious bowl.
- Scoop approximately 1 tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a compact ball. Place each formed ball onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Continue this process with the remaining cheese mixture.
- Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer, allowing the cheese balls to chill for about 20-30 minutes until they firm up.
Assembly:
- Prepare three wide and deep plates for the breading process.
- On the first plate, whisk together the all-purpose flour, Kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper.
- On the second plate, create an egg wash by whisking together the large eggs and water.
- On the third plate, mix the plain breadcrumbs with garlic powder and a hint of cayenne pepper for a flavorful coating.
- To bread each cheese ball, start by rolling it in the flour mixture, ensuring an even coating. Next, dip it into the egg mixture, covering it entirely, and finally, roll it in the breadcrumb mixture to create a crispy outer layer. Repeat this process with all the cheese balls.
Frying:
- In a large skillet, heat approximately 1/4 inch of vegetable or canola oil over medium heat until it reaches a temperature of about 350°F.
- Work in manageable batches, frying the cheese balls until they achieve a beautiful golden brown hue on all sides. This should take roughly 3 minutes per batch.
- Once fried to perfection, transfer the cheesy jalapeño popper bites to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.
- Serve these delectable bites while they’re hot, and watch them disappear as your guests savor the irresistible flavors!
