Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
Serves 4
Prep: 20 minutes • Cook: 1 hour
GFHP
Smoky jalapeños stuffed with a creamy cheddar filling, wrapped in bacon, and slow-smoked until tender. Big flavor with an easy mild option for people who love jalapeños without all the fire.
Ingredients
- 6 large jalapeños
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp BBQ seasoning
- 6 slices bacon, cut in half
- 2 tbsp finely chopped green onion, optional
- 1/2 cup finely chopped smoked chicken or pulled pork, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker to 275°F.
- Slice the jalapeños lengthwise and remove the seeds and all of the white ribs for a milder pepper.
- Mix the cream cheese, cheddar, BBQ seasoning, and any optional add-ins.
- Fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture and wrap with half a slice of bacon.
- Smoke for 45–60 minutes, until the peppers are tender and the bacon is cooked to your liking.
Notes & Tips
- For mild poppers, scrape away all of the white membrane inside the jalapeños — removing only the seeds will not remove most of the heat.
- For even less heat, soak the cleaned jalapeño halves in cold water for 30–60 minutes, then dry thoroughly before stuffing.
- Want the flavor with almost no gamble? Replace some or all of the jalapeños with mini sweet peppers.
- Try smoked chicken, pulled pork, green onion, minced garlic, or a light brush of BBQ sauce during the last few minutes for extra goodness.