Description
These Jalapeño Popper Bites are a deliciously spicy and cheesy appetizer featuring a creamy jalapeño filling wrapped in golden crescent roll dough. Perfect for parties or snacks, they combine the heat of jalapeños with creamy cheeses and optional crispy bacon, baked to perfection in a mini muffin pan.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4–5 jalapeños, seeded and finely diced
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup cooked and crumbled bacon (optional)
Dough and Topping
- 1 tube refrigerated crescent roll dough (8-count)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a mini muffin pan to prevent sticking.
- Make the filling: In a medium bowl, mix together softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, shredded mozzarella, diced jalapeños, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and cooked crumbled bacon if using until well combined.
- Prepare the dough cups: Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into triangles. Cut each triangle into 2 smaller pieces. Press each piece into a cup of the mini muffin pan, gently molding the dough to fit the shape of the cup.
- Fill the dough cups: Spoon a heaping teaspoon of the jalapeño cheese filling into each dough cup, filling it generously but allowing space to fold over if needed.
- Apply egg wash: Brush the edges of the dough cups with beaten egg to help them brown nicely while baking.
- Bake: Place the mini muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and the filling is bubbly and cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Allow the bites to cool slightly in the pan for a few minutes, then carefully remove them. Serve warm for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Substitute crescent roll dough with puff pastry for a flakier texture.
- For less heat, reduce the number of jalapeños or substitute with mild green chilies.
- These bites can be made ahead and reheat well in the oven before serving.
