Crispy Deep-Fried Jalapeño Poppers Recipe
Fried jalapeño poppers with shatteringly crisp exteriors, and a melted cream cheese filling.
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After trying some of the highest-rated jalapeño popper recipes online with disastrous results, we set to work developing a method that won't let you down. These poppers have a crisp golden crust and soft melted cheese interior—all in the perfect bite-size package.
Why this recipe works:
- A double-layer dredging of milk, then flour, then more milk, and finally bread crumbs, creates a crispy crust that won't slip off the poppers.
- A seasoned cream cheese filling melts beautifully without expanding and rupturing, as many other cheeses do.
Recipe Facts
Ingredients
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1 pound jalapenos
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1 pound (16 ounces) cream cheese
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2 tablespoons fresh juice from 2 limes
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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1/2 teaspoon onion powder
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1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
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Kosher salt
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2 cups whole milk
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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2 cups fine breadcrumbs
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1 to 2 quarts vegetable or canola oil, for frying
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1 batch roasted tomato salsa or your favorite salsa, for serving
Directions
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Wearing gloves if you have them, trim off and discard the top and bottom of each jalapeño. Cut each jalapeño crosswise into 1-inch rings. Remove seeds and white inner ribs from each ring (a small melon-baller works well for this).
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In a medium mixing bowl, stir cream cheese with lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin until thoroughly blended. Season with salt. Using a butter knife, pack cream cheese into each jalapeño ring, filling it completely and smoothing the surface.
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Fill 1 bowl with milk, 1 bowl with flour, and 1 bowl with breadcrumbs. Working 1 popper at a time, dip in milk, then transfer to flour.
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Coat popper in flour all over. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and repeat with remaining poppers. Let floured poppers stand for 5 minutes.
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Working 1 popper at a time, return floured popper to milk, turning to coat. Transfer to breadcrumbs.
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Pack popper in breadcrumbs, turning to coat, until an even coating has formed. Repeat with remaining poppers.
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Heat 2 inches of oil to 350°F. Add poppers and fry, gently turning and stirring, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet and season with salt. Let stand 5 minutes before serving with salsa.
Special equipment
Baking sheet, parchment paper
This Recipe Appears In
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
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95 | Calories |
7g | Fat |
6g | Carbs |
2g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 30 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 95 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 7g | 9% |
Saturated Fat 3g | 15% |
Cholesterol 14mg | 5% |
Sodium 93mg | 4% |
Total Carbohydrate 6g | 2% |
Dietary Fiber 1g | 2% |
Total Sugars 2g | |
Protein 2g | |
Vitamin C 19mg | 93% |
Calcium 25mg | 2% |
Iron 0mg | 2% |
Potassium 72mg | 2% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |