Get ready to take your taste buds on a wild ride, folks! We’re about to create a dish that’s straight-up LEGENDARY – Smoked Maple Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers. These bad boys are the ultimate fusion of sweet, smoky, and spicy, and they’re guaranteed to make your mouth water and your friends drool with envy. So, y’all ready to break some delicious rules today? Let’s do this!
Why You’ll Love This Smoked Maple Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
These Smoked Maple Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers are the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer that will have your guests begging for more. The combination of the sweet, caramelized maple bacon, the smoky flavor from the grill, and the fiery kick of the jalapeños is simply out of this world. Plus, they’re super easy to make and perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a backyard BBQ, game day, or a fancy dinner party. Trust me, this dish is going to be the star of the show, and you’ll be the culinary rockstar of the night!
Ingredients
To make these Smoked Maple Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers, you’ll need a handful of simple ingredients that will transform your kitchen into a flavor paradise. You’ll need fresh jalapeños, cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, maple syrup, and of course, thick-cut bacon. Get ready to smash some flavor!
- 12 fresh jalapeños – sliced in half lengthwise, seeds and membranes removed
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 12 slices thick-cut bacon
Ingredient Substitutions
- Jalapeños: Serrano or habanero peppers for a different level of heat
- Cheddar Cheese: Goat cheese or pepper jack for a unique flavor twist
How to Make Smoked Maple Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
Alright, let’s get down to business and make these Smoked Maple Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers that are gonna blow your mind!
Step 1: Prep Work
First, preheat your grill or smoker to 375°F. While that’s heating up, slice the jalapeños in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and membranes to control the spice level. Then, in a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese until well blended.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Now, it’s time to stuff those jalapeño halves with the cheesy goodness. Carefully spoon the cheese mixture into each jalapeño half, making sure to fill them to the brim. Next, wrap each stuffed jalapeño with a slice of bacon, securing it with a toothpick.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Place the bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers on the preheated grill or smoker and let them smoke for about 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Halfway through the cooking time, brush the poppers with the maple syrup, creating a delicious caramelized glaze.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Once the poppers are perfectly smoked and glazed, remove them from the grill or smoker and let them cool for a few minutes. Garnish with some chopped fresh cilantro or green onions for a pop of color and extra flavor.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Cheese Variations: Try using goat cheese or pepper jack instead of cheddar for a unique flavor twist.
- Spice it Up: Leave some of the seeds and membranes in the jalapeños for an extra fiery kick.
- Flavor Boost: Add crumbled bacon or chopped nuts to the cheese filling for an extra burst of flavor.
- Get Creative: Unleash your inner culinary rebel and experiment with different flavor combinations to make these poppers truly legendary!
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Storage: Store any leftover Smoked Maple Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Reheat the poppers in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or in an air fryer at 400°F for 5-7 minutes, until heated through and the bacon is crispy again.
Make-Ahead: You can prepare the poppers up to a day in advance by stuffing the jalapeños with the cheese mixture and wrapping them in bacon. Just store them in the fridge until you’re ready to smoke them.
Nutrition Information
These Smoked Maple Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers are a flavor explosion, but they’re also pretty darn nutritious. Each serving (about 2-3 poppers) contains around 150 calories, 12 grams of fat, 5 grams of carbs, and 8 grams of protein. And the jalapeños provide a healthy dose of vitamins and antioxidants to boot. So go ahead and indulge, because these poppers are the ultimate in guilt-free deliciousness!
- Serving Size: 2-3 poppers
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Protein: 8 g
- Carbs: 5 g
- Fat: 12 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
How spicy are these Smoked Maple Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers?
The level of spice in these poppers can vary depending on the size and type of jalapeños you use, as well as how much of the seeds and membranes you remove. If you want to tone down the heat, make sure to remove all the seeds and membranes. For a spicier kick, leave some of them in.
Can I make these poppers ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the poppers up to a day in advance by stuffing the jalapeños with the cheese mixture and wrapping them in bacon. Just store them in the fridge until you’re ready to smoke them. When you’re ready to serve, simply fire up the grill or smoker and cook them as directed.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
If you have any leftover Smoked Maple Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers, you can easily reheat them in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or in an air fryer at 400°F for 5-7 minutes, until heated through and the bacon is crispy again.
Can I use a different type of pepper?
Absolutely! While jalapeños are the traditional choice, you can experiment with other types of chili peppers, like serrano, habanero, or even bell peppers, for a different level of heat and flavor.
How do I know when the poppers are done?
The poppers are ready when the bacon is crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly. You can also use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the poppers reaches at least 165°F.
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Smoky Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 80 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Smoke House
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A delicious combination of smoky flavor and sweetness, these bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers are a perfect appetizer for any gathering.
Ingredients
6 large jalapeño peppers
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
12 slices of bacon
Instructions
1. Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C).
2. Slice the jalapeños in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and membranes.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, maple syrup, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
4. Stuff each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture.
5. Wrap each stuffed jalapeño with a slice of bacon, securing it with a toothpick if necessary.
6. Place the wrapped jalapeños in the smoker and cook for about 1 hour, or until the bacon is crispy and the jalapeños are tender.
7. Remove from the smoker and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
For extra smokiness, try using applewood or hickory chips in your smoker.
Adjust the amount of maple syrup based on your sweetness preference.
These poppers can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator before smoking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popper
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: jalapeño poppers, bacon, smoked, appetizer