Description
Jalapeño Popper Pigs are a spicy and savory appetizer featuring jalapeños stuffed with a creamy cheese and bacon mixture, wrapped around mini sausages, and baked in puff pastry until golden and crispy. Perfect for parties and gatherings, these bite-sized treats deliver a delicious blend of heat and comfort in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 12-16 mini sausages (cocktail sausages or pigs in a blanket)
- 2 large jalapeños (sliced in half and deseeded)
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 strips bacon (cooked and crumbled)
- 1 can puff pastry or crescent roll dough (optional)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing)
Optional Ingredients
- Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
- Ranch dressing (for dipping)
- Blue cheese dressing (for dipping)
Instructions
- Prepare Jalapeños: Slice the jalapeños in half lengthwise and carefully remove the seeds and membranes to reduce heat, saving some seeds if you prefer extra spiciness.
- Make Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled cooked bacon, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder if using. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended.
- Stuff Jalapeños: Generously fill each jalapeño half with the cream cheese mixture, ensuring every cavity is well stuffed for maximum flavor.
- Assemble Poppers: Wrap each stuffed jalapeño half around a mini sausage. Then, wrap each with puff pastry or crescent roll dough, pressing the edges securely to seal the dough around the filling.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the prepared poppers on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush them lightly with olive oil to promote a golden, crispy crust. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the dough turns golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Allow the poppers to cool slightly before serving to avoid burns. Optionally, garnish with fresh cilantro and serve alongside ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Notes
- For extra heat, retain some jalapeño seeds when deseeding.
- Using pre-cooked bacon saves time and enhances flavor.
- If puff pastry isn’t available, crescent roll dough works just as well.
- Make sure to seal the dough edges tightly to prevent filling from leaking during baking.
- Let poppers rest briefly after baking to help the filling set and avoid burns.
