Easy Bacon Wrapped Smoked Jalapeno Poppers Recipe

This easy Bacon Wrapped Smoked Jalapeno Popper recipe combines a spiced and flavorful cream cheese and cheddar filling with spicy jalapenos and crispy bacon for the ultimate summertime appetizer!

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A super easy, addicting Smoked Jalapeno Popper recipe!

A smoky version of a classic appetizer, these Smoked Jalapeno Poppers are an easy and seriously addictive way to make deliocus poppers at home! With a quick and easy cream cheese and cheddar filling, spicy fresh jalapenos, and crispy, smoky bacon, these poppers are a once you pop you can't stop appetizer that will ave your guests coming back for more.

These poppers pack a spicy bite, and make the perfect appetizer for any backyard get together. The best part? if you've already got your smoker going with some ribs or chicken, you can place these right on the top rack and pull them out as a snack while the main course cooks!

These poppers make great appetizers for any event, and are a delicious twist on classic jalepeno poppers, with tons of smoky flavor! This smoked jalapeno poppers recipe is a great way to entertain outdoors during nice weather, for game day and more. They also make a great side dish for smoked ribs or chicken. 

Smoked Jalapeno Popper Recipe Ingredients

This Smoked Jalapeno Popper recipe uses simple ingredients and delicious smoke flavor for the ultimate finger food for your next party. Here's what you'll need to make them:

• Cream cheese, softened to room temperature. This will serve as the base for your popper filling.  Use full-fat cream cheese for best results.
• Shredded sharp white cheddar. I prefer to hand grate my cheese for best flavor and texture, rather than using bagged shredded cheese, which also contains anti-caking agents that can effect the flavor and texture of your finished filling. I would also avoid any very aged sharp cheddar, as it does not melt well, and may separate during smoking.
• Coarse kosher salt.
• Smoked paprika and onion powder.
• Fresh jalapeño peppers, halved lengthwise, seeds and pulp removed.
• Thin sliced bacon. Thin strips of bacon work best for this recipe. 

How to make the Smoked Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

This Smoked Jalapeno Popper recipe is super easy to make, in the comfort of your own backyard! Here's how to make them:

1. Mix softened cheese and cheddar with spices in a medium bowl. 
2. Slice each pepper in half, remove seeds and pulp, and stuff each jalapeño half with the cream cheese mixture, being careful not to overfill so they do not overflow in the smoker while cooking. You may have a bit of extra filling, depending on the size of your peppers.
3. Wrap each stuffed jalapeño pepper with a slice of bacon, and secure with 2 toothpicks on top and bottom to keep the bacon in place while cooking, going across width-wise. 
4. Heat smoker to 275 degrees, and fill with wood chips of choice (ideally apple, pecan, or cherry wood). 
5. Once your smoker is at temperature and smoking, set the poppers directly on the smoker rack. 
6. Close smoker and smoke for 1 to 2 hours, until bacon is cooked through to desired doneness. Ideally, leave the peppers with the smoker door closed for at least 45 minutes prior to checking on them to retain the smoke flavor.

Tools and Tips

• Make the cream cheese mixture up to 2 days ahead of time, and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for easy assembly the day of!
• Same goes for the jalapeno peppers. You can slice them, remove the seeds, and store in a zip top bag in the fridge a few days ahead to prep in advance.
• Use a good quality wood chip for your smoking. I prefer a fruitier smoke for these poppers, such as apple wood, but you can use any wood you like. You can also use wood pellets if you are using a pellet smoker.
• Be sure to get your smoker to temperature and smoking prior to adding your poppers for best results.
• If your poppers are looking done, but not quite as crispy as you would like, stick them under the smoker's broiler for a few minutes prior to serving.
• Always wear gloves to protect your hands when checking the poppers.
• Use a good quality smoker, like the Masterbuilt 710 WiFi Digital Electric Smoker.

Serving the Poppers

These smoked poppers are super addicting as-is, but you can also serve them alongside some ranch dressing, blue cheese dip, or even with some spinach dip!

Substitutions and Additions

• Instead of cream cheese and cheddar, you could use goat cheese.
• Add sliced scallions or chives to the cream cheese mixture for a bit of fresh flavor.
• Sprinkle the tops of the peppers with a bit of smoked paprika and onion powder right before smoking for some extra flavor!
• Add a clove of minced fresh garlic to the cream cheese mixture for extra flavor. 
• Add cayenne pepper or black pepper for a little extra kick. 
• Try shredded pepper jack cheese in place of the sharp cheddar in the jalapeño popper filling. 

More delicious Popper recipes!

If you love this Smoked Jalapeno Popper recipe, you'll love these delicious poppers, too!

• Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
• Prosciutto Corn Jalapeno Poppers
• Philly Cheesesteak Poppers
• Sausage Mini Pepper Poppers
• Goat Cheese Stuffed Hot Cherry Peppers

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