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Smoked poppers recipe

Smoked poppers recipe

Ann Jones
Think of a sunny afternoon, your friends and family gathered around the grill, small talks, laughter in the air, and then, the aroma of spicy jalapeños stuffed with creamy cheese and wrapped in crispy bacon. 
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 16 Servings
Calories 143 kcal

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • piping bag

Ingredients
  

  • 8 fresh jalapeño peppers
  • 1 teaspoon grounded garlic powder
  • 8 ounces of cream cheese or a blend of 4 ounces cream cheese and 4 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika or adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro
  • 16 slices of bacon or 8 slices cut in half for smaller bites
  • A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes optional

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Jalapeños

  • First, wash your jalapeños thoroughly. Cut them in half lengthwise, and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and membranes. Remember, the more seeds you remove, the milder your poppers will be.

Step 2: Make the Cheese Mixture

  • In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, smoked paprika, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy. Fold in the chopped cilantro.

Step 3: Stuff the Jalapeños

  • Using a spoon or a piping bag, stuff each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture. Be generous but make sure the cheese doesn’t overflow.

Step 4: Wrap in Bacon

  • Take your bacon slices and wrap one around each stuffed jalapeño half. Secure with a toothpick if needed.

Step 5: Smoke or Grill

  • Place your wrapped jalapeños on a smoking rack or grill. Smoke at 225°F or grill on medium heat for about an hour, or until the bacon is crispy and the peppers are tender.

Notes

  • Gloves: Wear gloves when handling jalapeños to avoid any burning sensation.
  • Alternative Cheese: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses like gouda or mozzarella.
  • Toothpicks: Secure the bacon with toothpicks to keep it from unwinding during cooking.
  • Spice Level: Adjust the number of seeds you remove to control the heat level.
  • Pre-cook Bacon: If you like extra crispy bacon, pre-cook it slightly before wrapping.

Nutrition

Calories: 143kcal
Keyword Smoked poppers recipe
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