Crispy, creamy, and packed with bold flavors, Deconstructed Jalapeño Popper Balls are the ultimate party appetizer with a modern twist. Featuring a luscious mixture of cream cheese, sharp cheddar, smoky bacon, and zingy jalapeños, these bite-sized delights are perfectly seasoned with garlic and onion powders for an extra pop of flavor. The creamy filling is encased in a golden, crunchy panko breadcrumb coating, achieved by frying to perfection in hot oil for a mouthwatering contrast of textures. Preparing these crowd-pleasers is a breeze, with a quick freeze step ensuring the filling holds its shape during cooking. Serve them warm with dips like ranch or spicy aioli, and watch them disappear at gatherings, game days, or festive celebrations. Make these irresistible jalapeño popper-inspired snacks your go-to recipe for impressing guests with minimal effort and maximum flavor!
Wash and deseed the jalapeños, then finely dice them.
In a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, diced jalapeños, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and crumbled bacon until well combined.
Scoop out small spoonfuls of the mixture and roll them into 1-inch balls. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for 15-20 minutes until firm.
While the balls are chilling, prepare a dredging station with three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs.
Remove the balls from the freezer and coat each one in flour, then dip into the egg, and finally roll in the panko breadcrumbs to create an even breading.
In a deep pot or fryer, heat the vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
Carefully drop a few jalapeño popper balls into the hot oil, frying in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
Use a slotted spoon to remove the balls from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces such as ranch dressing or spicy aioli.
Calories |
10713 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 1100.5 g | 1411% | |
| Saturated Fat | 216.6 g | 1083% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 787 mg | 262% | |
| Sodium | 4471 mg | 194% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 204.8 g | 74% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.9 g | 46% | |
| Total Sugars | 22.9 g | ||
| Protein | 106.7 g | 213% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.7 mcg | 13% | |
| Calcium | 1167 mg | 90% | |
| Iron | 13.9 mg | 77% | |
| Potassium | 1551 mg | 33% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.