Fried Jalapeno Popper Bites

Jalapeno Popper Bites are deep fried, melted cheese balls stuffed with diced jalapeños and bacon, coated in crispy breadcrumbs.

Prep time: PT15M

Cook time: PT10M

Total time: PT55M

Rating

4.52 stars (122 reviews)

Keywords

jalapeno, jalapeno popper bites, jalapeno popper bites recipe

Ingredients

8 oz cream cheese (softened)
2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
3 jalapenos (seeded and diced)
¼ cup chopped bacon
2 tbsp sriracha sauce
½ cup all purpose flour
½ cup panko bread crumbs
½ cup plain bread crumbs
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp cayenne pepper
¼ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp salt
2 eggs (beaten)
peanut oil or canola oil for frying

Cuisine

Mexican

Steps

Mix together the cream cheese, shredded pepper jack cheese, diced jalapenos, bacon bits, and sriracha sauce.
Scoop the mixture and form into balls. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes.
Put the flour into one bowl and the beaten eggs in a second bowl.
In the third bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs, plain bread crumbs, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt.
Heat oil in a deep fryer (or use a large pot with a thermometer) to 350˚F.
Remove cheese balls from the freezer. Dip in the flour mixture, then into the beaten eggs, and finally coat with the bread crumbs mixture.
Fry several bites at once for 2-3 minutes, until golden brown.
Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

Nutitrion

Serving Size: 2 bites
Calories: 153 kcal
Carbohydrates: 8 g
Protein: 7 g
Fat: 10 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Trans Fat: 0.002 g
Cholesterol: 50 mg
Sodium: 308 mg
Sugar: 1 g
Unsaturated Fat: 4 g

Reviews

Marri on 2025-08-22 (5 stars):
While I normally abhor comments about making a gazillion changes to the recipe so it doesn't even resemble the original... I do want to say thank you, that I am using your recipe as inspiration to attempt to recreate a popper I had at a pub here in England. It was labeled as a Cauliflower and Jalapeno Popper. I dissected it enough to know it was finely chopped cauli and jalapeno, that had to be mixed with cream cheese, formed into a nugget shape with a bread crumb coating and crisply deep fried. Your ingredient combination and method is what I believe to be exactly what is needed for success. However, I will also be making your recipe as it looks and sounds absolutely delicious. As an original popper lover from way back...before England even had a clue as to what they were (Chicago native here), I love the combination and method you have shared. Thank you! Off to go buy my ingredients! :)
Andrew on 2025-03-23 (5 stars):
Jalape-no way these are this good. Absolutely amazing! These things are popin! Good to the last bite.
Jennifer Wares on 2023-06-29 (5 stars):
Made these for a party, and everybody wanted the recipe. They turned out amazing, and very easy to make as well.
Gena on 2023-05-18 (5 stars):
Was really good, I’ll definitely save this recipe!
Carolyn on 2023-04-17 (4 stars):
Not hot at all but delicious 😋. May I suggest you roast the jalapenos first. The flavor increases 10 fold and great heat. But limit roasted jalapenos to only 1 or 2. Very hot.
Tiffany Rowan on 2022-12-24 (4 stars):
This were easy to make and really tasty. I will make these again but instead of egg, I will try milk only. I ended up adding milk for the last half because the egg mixture wasn’t really coating the floured balls well. It turned out to just as good and easier.