Smoked Jalapeño Poppers (Printable Version)

Cheese-filled jalapeños wrapped in crispy bacon and smoked to perfection - the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer.

# What You'll Need:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 12 medium jalapeño peppers
02 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
03 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
04 - ½ teaspoon paprika
05 - ½ teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 12 slices bacon, halved lengthwise

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat your smoker to 250°F (120°C).
02 - Wearing gloves, slice each jalapeño in half lengthwise and remove seeds and membranes.
03 - In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, cheddar, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix until smooth.
04 - Fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture, spreading evenly.
05 - Wrap each filled jalapeño with a half slice of bacon. Secure with a toothpick if needed.
06 - Place the poppers in the smoker and smoke for 1–2 hours, until the bacon is crisp and peppers are tender.
07 - For extra crispness, place under a broiler for 2–3 minutes.
08 - Let cool slightly before serving.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Ready in just over an hour with minimal hands on time
  • Perfect make ahead appetizer for entertaining
  • Naturally gluten free and low carb friendly
  • Customizable heat level based on how thoroughly you clean the peppers
02 -
  • Perfect low carb appetizer with only 3g carbs per serving
  • Can be prepared a day ahead and smoked just before serving
  • Freezes beautifully for quick future snacks
03 -
  • Allow cream cheese to fully soften at room temperature for at least 30 minutes for the smoothest filling
  • Select jalapeños that are similar in size for even cooking throughout the batch
  • For extra flavor try adding 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh herbs like cilantro parsley or chives to the cheese mixture
Go Back