Keto Jalapeno Poppers
This Keto Jalapeno Poppers Recipe is the perfect appetizer or snack. Creamy and melted cheese inside of a spicy jalapeno pepper wrapped in a piece of delicious bacon with the perfect amount of ranch seasoning.
While you can run to the supermarket and pick up jalapenos all year round, I think there is nothing better than fresh homegrown peppers.
First of all, it feels good to know that I am eating food that I have grown myself.
Second of all, I love having fresh and healthy ingredients on hand. It saves me a trip to the store, and that’s always a bonus in my book!
Dreams do come true, and you will find that out as soon as you bite into one of these bacon wrapped keto jalapeno poppers.
This easy appetizer recipe is low carb, gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, and Trim Healthy Mama friendly.
Ingredients
Oh, yes. They are loaded with shredded cheddar cheese, cream cheese, ranch seasoning. The jalapeno and bacon add the perfect flavor combination to this appetizer. If you are looking for a dish to take to a potluck, backyard barbecue, or dinner party, you have just found a winner!
Jalapenos – Half and seed the peppers.
Cream Cheese – Use softened cream cheese so the cream cheese mixture mixes easily.
Cheddar Cheese – Either pre-shredded cheddar cheese or a block you shred is fine.
Ranch Seasoning – I make my own but you can sub in a premade ranch spice mix if you prefer.
Bacon – Thin sliced bacon works the best in this bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers recipe.
How To Make Keto Jalapeno Poppers
First Step: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Then, in a small bowl, combine ¼ tsp of each of these ingredients: garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, and dill. Mix together until combined. This is my homemade ranch seasoning.
Second Step: Combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and ranch dressing together until it’s smooth mixed well. Add dollops of the cream cheese filling mixture to the prepared jalapenos. Wrap each filled jalapeno half with a strip of bacon.
Third Step: Bake for 35 minutes until the bacon is crispy and the jalapenos have softened. Serve the baked jalapeno poppers with a side of sour cream, ranch dressing, or blue cheese dressing.
Top Tip 💡
When working with spicy peppers always wear gloves. You don’t want to accidentally touch your face with oil from the peppers on your hands.
Variations
Seasoning – Swap out the ranch seasoning for a dry rub of your choice or just a little salt and pepper.
Bacon-less – If you don’t want to wrap these in bacon you don’t have to.
Turkey Bacon – Swap out the pork bacon for turkey bacon.
Mexican – Swap out the ranch seasoning for taco seasoning. Then top with a drizzle of lime crema and some sliced green onions.
Common Questions
How To Pick Good Jalapenos
Whether you are at the supermarket or picking the jalapenos from your garden, it’s nice to know what to look for. They should never be wilted, shriveled, or have brown or gray spots. You are looking for a firm texture and a bright green color.
Often when I have an abundance of jalapenos, I make my flavorful jalapeno popper dip recipe or jalapeno popper chicken salad. Both of which are incredibly amazing by the way. I wanted to try something different that mimicked the jalapeno poppers you get as an appetizer at your favorite restaurant, but better. So born was my scrumptious bacon jalapeno poppers. Let me just say that these are better than anything you could buy in a fancy restaurant!
How To Prepare Jalapenos
If you haven’t worked with jalapenos too often, they can be a little intimidating the first couple of times. I recommend making sure you are in a well-ventilated room when preparing them.
- First, wash the jalapeno and cut it in half. You can choose to leave the stem or remove depending on your preference.
- Then remove the seeds. (unless you want it to be super spicy, then you can leave some of them.)
- While running cold water, wash off the inside of the jalapeno. Be careful because they have an oil that really burns if it gets in your eyes or on your face. Make sure to wash your hands really well when you are done handling them.
Can I Make Jalapeno Poppers On The Grill
Of course! Making the bacon jalapeno poppers on the grill is a great option, especially if are hosting a backyard barbecue. I recommend pre-cooking the bacon just a little bit. The reason why is that the jalapenos tend to cook faster on the grill, Plus, the grease from the bacon can cause the flames to flare up. You will need to cook the keto jalapeno poppers for about 12-18 minutes.
Can I Use Different Cheese?
Absolutely! You can use any kind of cheese you like. Some ideas to try are mozzarella, pepper jack, swiss, or Colby Jack. The options are endless! The best part is that they all taste incredible so you can even make a variety.
How Do You Store Keto Jalapeno Poppers?
You can store leftover keto low carb jalapeno poppers in the fridge in an airtight container. They will last around 5 days in the refrigerator if they are adequately covered.
Can I Freeze Leftover Jalapeno Poppers?
Yes, absolutely you can freeze jalapeño poppers. They actually make amazing snacks when you are meal planning or a fast and easy appetizer. Typically, I don’t cook them before freezing. Just prepare them as you normally would without baking.
I have found the best way to freeze the bacon wrapped poppers is to place them flat on a large baking dish. Place them in the freezer for 1-2 hours until they are frozen. Then you can remove them and put them in a freezer bag or another airtight container. They will last around 10-12 months. When you are ready to serve, pop them in the oven frozen and bake them just like you normally would. Easy!
What To Serve With Keto Jalapeno Poppers?
You can eat these bacon jalapeno poppers as an appetizer, or they can be the main course. They are seriously so good; you could eat them for any meal!
When eating them alone, you can dip them in ranch dressing or eat them the way they are.
If I am making them as an appetizer, I will serve them with a protein like a steak, grilled chicken or salmon. They also pair nicely with a garden salad. Either way, they are so full of flavor you are going to be hooked.
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Keto Jalapeno Poppers
Ingredients
- 4 jalapenos halved and seeded
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1/4 cup cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp ranch seasoning
- 8 slices bacon 1/2 pound
Ranch Seasoning:
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp parsley
- 1 tsp dried dill
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400.
- Combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and ranch seasoning. Mix well.
- Divide between the prepared jalapenos. Wrap each jalapeno half in a strip of bacon.
- Place on a metal rimmed baking sheet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
- Bake for 35 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
More low carb recipes for appetizers:
Gluten Free Fried Pickles Recipe
Keto Friendly Chicken Stromboli
Originally Published July 3, 2019. Revised and Republished January 13, 2024.
I made these and loved them. I only make them for myself, so I made half according to the recipe and the other half I replaced the bacon with 2 Tbsps. coursely ground almonds and 1 Tbsp melted butter on top of the stuffed jalapenos. They were beyond good and I used some of the leftovers in wraps. I only had one problem and I think I learned my lesson. I did use gloves, which is a must, but I should have worn a mask, too! As I was cutting the jalapenos a gust of strong jalapeno juice went up in the air and I lost my breath for a few seconds, before I was able to step away and drink some water (I have asthma.) I know now to put a mask on when cutting a batch of the jalapenos up. But, the recipe itself is great.
This is one of my favorite appetizer recipes! SO many delicious flavors!
I was sold at wrapped in bacon! This appetizer definitely goes fast!