Calling all flavor fanatics! Today, we’re about to take your taste buds on an epic adventure with our BBQ Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Jalapeños with Ranch Drizzle. This dish is not for the faint of heart – it’s a flavor explosion that’s going to leave you craving more. So, y’all ready to break some delicious rules today?
Why You’ll Love This BBQ Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Jalapeños with Ranch Drizzle
These jalapeños are a mind-blowing combination of smoky, spicy, and creamy flavors that will have your taste buds doing the happy dance. The BBQ seasoning and crispy bacon add a savory, slightly sweet element that perfectly complements the kick of the jalapeños. And let’s not forget the gooey, melty cheddar cheese and the cool, tangy ranch drizzle – this dish is a flavor explosion that’s guaranteed to leave you craving more. Plus, it’s the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s sure to make you the MVP of any party or game day celebration.
Ingredients
Get ready to have your mind blown, because the ingredients for this epic dish are seriously next-level. You’ll need fresh jalapeños, cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled cooked bacon, BBQ seasoning, and ranch dressing. And trust me, when you combine all these flavors, it’s going to be an absolute sensation.
- 12 – fresh jalapeños, halved lengthwise and seeded
- 8 oz – cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup – shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 slices – cooked, crumbled bacon
- 2 tbsp – BBQ seasoning
Ingredient Substitutions
- Cheddar Cheese: Pepper jack or monterey jack cheese (for a different flavor profile)
- Ranch Dressing: Spicy ranch dressing (for an extra kick of heat)
How to Make BBQ Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Jalapeños with Ranch Drizzle
Listen up, because I’m about to show you how to transform those ordinary jalapeños into something truly legendary. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by slicing the jalapeños in half lengthwise and scooping out the seeds and membranes to reduce the heat. Then, in a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, cooked crumbled bacon, and BBQ seasoning until well blended.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Next, spoon the cheesy bacon mixture into the jalapeño halves, packing it in tightly. Arrange the stuffed jalapeños on a baking sheet and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 15-20 minutes.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Once the jalapeños are out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes, then drizzle them with the cool, creamy ranch dressing. Get ready, because this is where the flavor explosion happens!
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Flavor Boost: Add a sprinkle of crumbled blue cheese or finely chopped green onions on top for an extra burst of flavor.
- Spice It Up: Use a spicy ranch dressing instead of the regular for an extra kick.
- Cheese Swap: Try using pepper jack or monterey jack cheese instead of cheddar for a different flavor profile.
- Seasoning Switch: Use smoked paprika or chipotle powder instead of BBQ seasoning to really amp up the smoky flavor.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: These jalapeños are best served warm, straight out of the oven. They make the perfect appetizer or game day snack, and they’re sure to be a hit with friends and family.
Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Reheat them in the oven or air fryer before serving.
Make-Ahead: You can prepare the stuffed jalapeños up to a day in advance and store them in the fridge until you’re ready to bake them. Just be sure to let them come to room temperature before popping them in the oven.
Nutrition Information
These BBQ Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Jalapeños with Ranch Drizzle are a flavor-packed treat, but they’re also packed with some pretty impressive nutritional benefits. Each serving is a good source of protein, calcium, and vitamin C, and the jalapeños provide a healthy dose of antioxidants. Just be mindful of portion sizes, as the rich and indulgent flavors can make it easy to overindulge.
- Serving Size: 2 stuffed jalapeño halves
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Protein: 8 g
- Carbs: 3 g
- Fat: 12 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
How spicy are these jalapeños?
The level of heat in these jalapeños can vary depending on the individual peppers and how much of the seeds and membranes you remove. If you’re sensitive to spice, you can reduce the heat by removing more of the seeds and membranes.
Can I make these jalapeños ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the stuffed jalapeños up to a day in advance and store them in the fridge until you’re ready to bake them. Just be sure to let them come to room temperature before popping them in the oven.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Definitely! While cheddar cheese is the classic choice, you can experiment with other types of cheese, like pepper jack, monterey jack, or even a blend, to switch up the flavor.
How can I make these jalapeños even more flavorful?
Try adding a sprinkle of smoked paprika, chili powder, or even a touch of brown sugar to the cheese mixture for an extra boost of flavor. You can also experiment with different types of bacon, like applewood-smoked or peppered bacon, for a unique twist.
Can I make these jalapeños in the air fryer?
Absolutely! The air fryer is the perfect way to get these jalapeños crispy on the outside and melty on the inside. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time and temperature to accommodate your air fryer.
Try These Next
- Crispy Cheddar Bacon Potato Bites With Spicy Ranch Drizzle
- Loaded Cheesy Bacon Fries With Spicy Ranch Drizzle
- Savory Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers With Cheddar Burst
BBQ Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Jalapeños with Ranch Drizzle
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Bacon Empire
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These BBQ Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Jalapeños are the perfect party appetizer! Spicy jalapeños are stuffed with a creamy mixture of cheese, crispy bacon, and BBQ sauce, then drizzled with ranch dressing. Perfect for game day!
Ingredients
6 large jalapeños
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
1/4 cup ranch dressing
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut the jalapeños in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and membranes for less heat.
3. In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, BBQ sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
4. Stuff each jalapeño half with the cheese and bacon mixture.
5. Place the stuffed jalapeños on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the jalapeños are tender and the cheese is bubbly.
7. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.
8. Drizzle with ranch dressing before serving.
Notes
For extra heat, leave some of the seeds in the jalapeños.
Feel free to use your favorite BBQ sauce!
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed jalapeño
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: appetizer, jalapeños, bacon, BBQ