These delicious spicy Jalapeño poppers with a healthy twist can be made a few days ahead of time and are also great reheated as leftovers. So filling and a great low point appetizer option! Only 1 Freestyle Smart Point per jalapeño! To make things super easy, I suggest purchasing a Jalapeño Grill Rack and Corer (paid link) Tool.
This jalapeño corer tool makes coring so easy! You might want to wear gloves when handling the jalapeños.
Here’s the jalapeño grill rack (paid link). Works great in the oven too! Be sure to put toothpicks in your jalapeños otherwise as they cook and shrink, depending on size, they may fall through. Just put about 3/4 – 1 T. of filling in each.
This jalapeño grill rack and corer (paid link) tool make grilling/baking these Jalapeños Poppers super easy! They come together as a set.
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Delicious Spicy Jalapeño Poppers with a Healthy Twist
Ingredients
- 20 medium sized jalapeños tops cut off and cored (use tool that comes with rack)
- 8 oz. light cream cheese softened
- 3 garlic cloves finely minced (about 1 T.)
- 4 T. crumbled cooked center cut bacon or use the Kirkland Bacon Bits - so easy and delicious!
- 1/4 c. red onion finely chopped
- 1/4 c. cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/2 T. Chipotle Seasoning optional
- 1/2 T. fresh lime juice
- 2 T. cilantro finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cut the tops off the jalapeños and core, removing the seeds and membrane. You may want to wear plastic gloves to protect your skin from the jalapeños.
- In a small bowl combine: cream cheese, garlic, bacon, onion, cheddar cheese, Chipotle seasoning, lime juice and cilantro. If you don't use the Chipotle Seasoning, be sure and add salt and pepper to taste. You can blend the mixture with a wooden spoon or use a hand held mixer.
- Spoon about 3/4 T. -1 T. filling, use a tiny spoon/spatula to work the filling into the jalapeño. Again you may want to wear gloves when filling them. You don't necessarily fill them totally full, just about 3/4 -1 T. of filling.
- Place toothpicks about 1/3 of the way down from the top. As they cook the jalapeños shrink and can fall through the holes on the rack, the toothpicks prevent this.
- Place jalapeños in the grilling rack and grill over medium heat for about 30 minutes. Or you can bake them in the rack in the oven at 425° for about 25 minutes.
- Serve immediately while warm.