Sweet and Salty Jalapeño Poppers

For the uninitiated, jalapeño poppers are savoury, spicy bites that include breaded or bacon-wrapped jalapeño chilli peppers stuffed with cheese, spices and sometimes ground meat. We riffed on this traditional snack, sprinkling our versions with shredded, smoked gouda (a creamy cheese from the Netherlands) and a drizzle of hot honey for an extra dash of heat. And while we love almost anything breaded and deep-fried, after testing we opted to wrap our jalapeños in thinly-sliced bacon for the perfect sweet, salty and fiery bite every time. 

Whether you're enjoying these poppers as an appetiser, a barbecue snack, or even as a special game-day treat, they are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. The combination of textures, flavours, and heat levels makes our interpretation a delightful indulgence for sweet and savoury enthusiasts and food lovers alike. They’re so addictive, in fact, that you may want to make an extra dozen just to be safe. 



Sweet and Salty Jalapeño Poppers

1. Soak your toothpicks in warm water for 30 minutes.

(This will prevent burning.)

2. Preheat your oven to 400 °C.

Use the infrared thermometer to quickly and accurately check the temperature of the middle of the stone.

3. Slice your jalapeños lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and cut off the stems.

4. With a spoon, fill each jalapeño half with 15 grams of cream cheese.

Evenly distribute and sprinkle on the shredded gouda over the jalapeños.

5. Wrap each jalapeño half with a slice of bacon, then stick a toothpick in the middle to keep the popper together.

Two hands wrapping bacon around a jalapeño half stuffed with cream cheese and sprinkled with smoked gouda on a cutting board next to another jalapeño half. David Sherman David Sherman 9:57 AM Jul 21 AU/NZ: Two hands wrapping bacon around a jalapeño half stuffed with cream cheese and sprinkled with smoked gouda on a cutting board next to another jalapeño half.

6. Place your poppers on the dual-sided grizzler plate.

Place it in the oven and cook for 8 to 12 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and the cheese oozes out. 

Tip: Halfway through cooking and with your gloves on, rotate the skillet to ensure an even bake. If necessary, turn the flame to low to prevent burning.

Jalapeño poppers stuffed with cream cheese and sprinkled with smoked gouda and wrapped in thinly sliced bacon on an Ooni Dual-Sided Grizzler Plate.

7. Remove the skillet from the oven and place the poppers on a serving plate.

If you want some extra heat, drizzle hot honey over them and enjoy!