Description
These Jalapeño Popper Bagels combine spicy jalapeños, creamy cheese, and crispy bacon atop toasted bagels, baked to golden perfection for a cheesy, spicy treat that’s perfect for breakfast or a flavorful snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Bagels
- 4 bagels (choose your favorite flavor or gluten-free)
Cheese Spread
- 8 oz cream cheese (full-fat or vegan)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (or pepper jack for extra spice)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
Other Ingredients
- 2 medium jalapeños (roasted or pickled, diced)
- 2 slices bacon (optional, cooked crispy and crumbled)
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter (for brushing, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the bagels to a perfect golden finish.
- Toast Bagels: Slice the bagels in half horizontally, then lightly toast them for about 5 minutes to create a firm base that will hold the toppings well.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, blend the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, diced jalapeños, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth and creamy to make a flavorful spread.
- Spread Mixture: Evenly spread the cheese and jalapeño mixture over each toasted bagel half, ensuring ample coverage for flavor in every bite.
- Add Bacon (Optional): Sprinkle crispy bacon bits on top of the cheese spread if you desire an extra savory crunch.
- Bake Bagels: Arrange the bagel halves on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling, and the edges turn slightly golden.
- Serve: Serve the bagels hot, optionally garnished with fresh chives or cilantro to add a fresh herbaceous note to the spicy, cheesy goodness.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, skip the bacon or use a plant-based bacon substitute.
- Use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar to increase the spice level.
- Roasting jalapeños beforehand deepens their flavor, but pickled jalapeños add a nice tang.
- Try brushing the bagels with olive oil or butter before toasting for extra crispness.
- These bagels can be reheated in the oven or toaster oven for best texture retention.
