Y’all ready to break some delicious rules today? Because we’re about to turn your kitchen into a flavor paradise with these Sweet and Spicy Bacon-wrapped Jalapeños! These bad boys are the ultimate fusion of sweet, spicy, and savory – a culinary explosion that’s guaranteed to make your taste buds dance. Get ready to experience an epic food adventure that’s going to have your friends and family begging for more. This recipe is absolutely INSANE, and I’m not even sorry about it!
Why You’ll Love This Sweet and Spicy Bacon-wrapped Jalapeños
These Sweet and Spicy Bacon-wrapped Jalapeños are the ultimate party appetizer or game-day snack that will have everyone drooling. The combination of the juicy, smoky bacon, the creamy cheese filling, and the fiery jalapeño peppers is simply out of this world. Plus, the sweet glaze takes these babies to a whole new level of flavor. Warning: This dish causes serious food jealousy! Your friends and family won’t be able to get enough of these sensational bites. They’re easy to make, packed with incredible taste, and sure to impress even the most discerning palates. Get ready to become the ultimate culinary rockstar with this epic recipe!
Ingredients
To make these mouth-watering Sweet and Spicy Bacon-wrapped Jalapeños, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients: fresh jalapeño peppers, cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and, of course, crispy bacon. The sweet glaze is made with brown sugar, honey, and a touch of spicy cayenne pepper. This powerful flavor combination is going to take your taste buds on a thrilling ride!
- 12 fresh jalapeño peppers – washed and halved lengthwise, seeds and membranes removed
- 8 oz cream cheese – softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 12 slices bacon – cut in half
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Ingredient Substitutions
- Jalapeños: Use milder bell peppers instead if you’re not a fan of spice (they’ll still be delicious!)
- Cheese: Swap in your favorite varieties, like pepper jack or gouda, for a different flavor profile
How to Make Sweet and Spicy Bacon-wrapped Jalapeños
To get started, we’re going to prep the ingredients and then assemble these flavor-packed masterpieces. Let’s do this!
Step 1: Prep Work
Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Wash the jalapeño peppers, then slice them in half lengthwise, removing the seeds and membranes to control the heat level. In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese and shredded cheddar until well combined.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Spoon a generous amount of the cheese mixture into the center of each jalapeño half. Wrap a slice of bacon around each stuffed pepper, securing it with a toothpick. In a separate bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, honey, and cayenne pepper to make the irresistible sweet glaze.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Arrange the bacon-wrapped jalapeños on the prepared baking sheet, then drizzle the sweet glaze over the top, making sure to coat each one. Bake the jalapeños for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Once the Sweet and Spicy Bacon-wrapped Jalapeños are out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes before serving. These sensational bites are best enjoyed warm, so dig in and get ready for an epic flavor explosion!
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Spice it up: Add a sprinkle of smoked paprika or chili powder to the cheese mixture for an extra kick of flavor
- Try different cheeses: Experiment with other cheese blends, like gouda and pepper jack, or even crumbled feta
- Presentation is everything: Serve these Bacon-wrapped Jalapeños on a platter with toothpicks or skewers for easy grabbing
- Make-ahead magic: Prepare the peppers, stuff them with the cheese mixture, and wrap them in bacon ahead of time, then bake when ready to serve
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Plenty of napkins – these babies are insanely addictive!
Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Pop the jalapeños back in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melted.
Make-Ahead: Prepare the jalapeños up to 2 days in advance, store in the fridge, and bake when ready to serve.
Nutrition Information
These Sweet and Spicy Bacon-wrapped Jalapeños are a flavor-packed treat, but they do come with a bit of a nutritional indulgence. Each serving (2 jalapeño halves) contains approximately 180 calories, 14 grams of fat, 6 grams of carbohydrates, and 8 grams of protein. While they may not be the healthiest option, these sensational bites are definitely worth the occasional splurge!
- Serving Size: 2 jalapeño halves
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Protein: 8 g
- Carbs: 6 g
- Fat: 14 g
- Sodium: 360 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
How spicy are these Bacon-wrapped Jalapeños?
The level of spice in these jalapeños can vary depending on the individual peppers and how much of the seeds and membranes you choose to remove. Generally, the Sweet and Spicy Bacon-wrapped Jalapeños have a moderate to high level of heat. If you’re not a fan of spice, you can use milder bell peppers instead.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! These Bacon-wrapped Jalapeños are the perfect make-ahead appetizer. You can prepare the peppers, stuff them with the cheese mixture, and wrap them in bacon up to 2 days in advance. Just store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake and serve.
How do I avoid the bacon from getting soggy?
To ensure your bacon stays nice and crispy, make sure to bake the Bacon-wrapped Jalapeños on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This will help the bacon render its fat and get that amazing, crunchy texture. You can also try broiling the jalapeños for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking to really crisp up the bacon.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Absolutely! While the classic combination of cream cheese and cheddar is hard to beat, you can experiment with other cheese varieties. Try using pepper jack, gouda, or even crumbled feta for a unique twist on the flavor profile.
How can I make these less sweet?
If you find the Sweet and Spicy Bacon-wrapped Jalapeños a bit too sugary for your taste, you can adjust the amount of brown sugar and honey in the glaze. Start with a smaller amount and gradually increase it to find the perfect balance of sweet and spicy that suits your preferences.
Try These Next
- Sweet And Spicy Maple Candied Bacon Bites
- Crispy Bacon Wrapped Cheese Stuffed Jalapenos
- Spicy Chipotle Bacon Wrapped Chicken Skewers
Irresistible Sweet and Spicy Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeños
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Fire Zone
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Sweet and Spicy Bacon-wrapped Jalapeños are the perfect appetizer for any gathering, combining the heat of jalapeños with the sweetness of brown sugar and the savory flavor of bacon.
Ingredients
12 large jalapeños
6 slices of bacon, cut in half
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Slice the jalapeños in half lengthwise and remove the seeds.
3. In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture.
5. Wrap each filled jalapeño with a half slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
6. Place the bacon-wrapped jalapeños on a baking sheet and sprinkle brown sugar on top.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and the jalapeños are tender.
Notes
For extra heat, leave some seeds in the jalapeños.
You can prepare these ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 jalapeños
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: appetizer, spicy, bacon, jalapeños