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Deep Fried Jalapeno Poppers

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Stuffed with cream cheese and cheddar then battered and fried until their golden brown, this is a delicious appetizer recipe you'll be all too happy to eat for dinner.

The perfect combination of spicy peppers, cool cream cheese, and a crispy, golden-brown breading. All your favorite flavors in one yummy bite.

finished fried jalapeno poppers

❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Amazingly delicious. They’re stuffed with cream cheese and cheddar then battered and fried. What’s not to like?
  • Very affordable. Even if you’re buying the jalapenos out of season, these will be super cheap to make.
  • Great for a party. Make a big batch and watch them disappear!

This is an overview of the ingredients. You’ll find the full measurements and instructions in the printable recipe at the bottom of the page.

ingredients on counter

You’ll need the following for this delicious appetizer:

  • jalapeño peppers (fat, short peppers are the easiest to hollow out)
  • cream cheese 
  • shredded cheddar cheese
  • milk
  • eggs
  • all-purpose flour
  • panko breadcrumbs
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • peanut oil or vegetable oil for frying
  • deep fryer, dutch oven, or deep skillet for straining
  • tongs
  • mixing bowls
  • paper towels

🍴Instructions

Step One: Stuff

process of stuffing peppers

Hollow peppers using a sharp knife or a special pepper tool.

Make the filling. Mix cream cheese and cheddar cheeses together with a fork until they are well mixed. Stuff the cheese filling inside. Just do this by hand, gently pressing it in as far as you can.

Step Two: bread

Make the batter and breading. In one bowl, mix together the eggs and milk with a fork. In another bowl, mix together the flour and panko.

Dip the peppers in the batter, then coat them in breading. Repeat this process until the peppers are fully covered.

Step three: fry

skillet full of hot oil

Put some oil in a deep fryer, Dutch oven, or skillet and heat it up to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Then fry the jalapenos for 3-4 minutes, turning it over once, until it is golden brown. Remove it from the pan and put it on some paper towels to absorb the extra oil.

Step Four: serve

finished poppers on butcher paper

Serve this dish immediately with ranch or sour cream.

🥫 Storage instructions

Any leftovers will keep in the fridge, tightly covered, for 3-4 days

To freeze this recipe, just pop ’em on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Deep fry from frozen and add a minute or two to the cooking time

🔍 FAQs

Can this recipe be baked?

Um…. I guess. They won’t be as good. If you don’t want to deep fry, I’d actually recommend a totally different style of popper: cut the peppers in half lengthwise, fill with the filling, wrap in a skinny piece of bacon and bake or air fry at 375 until tthe peppers are soft.

Are jalapeno poppers keto friendly?

These are not. Too much breading. (The type I described above is, though.)

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert tips

Watch this video if you need help removing the inside of the peppers with a knife:

  • Make sure to use short, fat peppers for this recipe. They are much easier to hollow out and fill than long, skinny peppers.
  • The batter and breading should be thick and sturdy. This will ensure that youget a thick, crispy coating when you fry that won’t fall off.

📘 Related Recipes

🍽 Serve it with

🍅 make it along with me

Follow along step by step. The slides will turn every 7 seconds, or you can click ahead.

bite taken out of jalapeno popper

📖 Here’s the recipe

5 from 2 votes

Deep Fried Jalapeno Poppers

Print Recipe
Stuffed with cream cheese and cheddar then battered and fried until their golden brown, this is a delicious appetizer recipe you'll be all too happy to eat for dinner.
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:5 minutes
Total Time:25 minutes
Click here for a FREE autumn cookbook (25+ Recipes!)

Ingredients

  • 2 dozen jalapeño peppers look for wide peppers
  • 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
  • ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • peanut oil or vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

  • Hollow peppers using a sharp paring knife or special pepper tool.
  • Make the filling. Combine cream cheese and cheddar cheeses with a fork until well mixed.
  • Make the batter and breading. Combine the eggs and milk with a fork. In a separate bowl, combine the flour and panko.
  • Dip in the batter, then breading. Repeat. Peppers should have a thick, sturdy coating of breading.
  • Heat oil in deep fryer, Dutch oven, or skillet until 375°. Fry for 3-4 minutes, turning once, until golden brown. Remove to paper towels.
  • Serve immediately, with ranch or sour cream.

Notes

If your peppers are very large, fry at 340 for 6 minutes to adequately cook them.  

Nutrition

Calories: 442kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 148mg | Sodium: 662mg | Potassium: 200mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 977IU | Calcium: 169mg | Iron: 3mg
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: cream cheese jalapeno poppers, deep fried jalapeno poppers, jalapeno poppers
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 442kcal
Author: Katie Shaw
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Deep Fried Jalapeno Poppers
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2 thoughts on “Deep Fried Jalapeno Poppers”

  1. Oops!!! In Step 3 you stated (in part) “cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes”. I think you meant fry the Jalapenos. Easy mistake…

    Reply

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