Healthy Jalapeño Poppers

(5.0)
By Judy Capodanno
Published 2/7/2022
Dietitian Reviewed: Jane Schwartz, RDN, CLT
Approved for These Diets:
Heart Healthy | Gluten Free | Diabetic

Enjoy the creamy, cheesy and spicy goodness of these gluten-free jalapeño poppers. A crowd-pleasing appetizer that's perfect for any gathering, these poppers are easy to prepare ahead of time and just pop in the oven before your guests arrive.

Total Time
30 minutes
Servings
12
Calories
53
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Why You’ll Love These Healthy Jalapeño Poppers

Craving a spicy and satisfying appetizer that’s guilt free? Look no further than these heart-healthy jalapeño poppers. This recipe offers a delicious and nutritious twist on a classic crowd-pleaser, packed with flavor but without the fat and calories. 

Whether you're hosting a party, enjoying a game day, or simply looking for a quick and easy snack, these naturally gluten-free homemade jalapeño poppers are sure to satisfy your cravings without compromising your health goals.

Yes, these homemade jalapeño poppers are absolutely healthy and here’s why:

  • Lower in fat: Restaurant jalapeño poppers are often deep fried and loaded with fat. However, these homemade hot poppers are baked for a treat that’s low in fat but high in flavor.
  • Lower in calories: Many jalapeño poppers recipes use a ton of full-fat cheese and are wrapped in bacon, which is a calorie (and fat) overload. But these healthy poppers are baked and stuffed with reduced fat cheese, making them just 53 calories for two poppers!
  • Lower in sodium: Unlike other popper recipes that are wrapped in bacon, these healthy jalapeño poppers are lightly sprinkled with bacon crumbles, which still gives you all of the bacon taste but without all of the sodium.
  • Naturally gluten-free: No fancy or hard to find ingredients are needed to make this recipe gluten-free. All of the ingredients for these homemade jalapeño poppers are completely gluten-free.

Jalapeño Peppers are easy to cut but you do need to use caution. Be sure to wear gloves when handling jalapeño peppers and avoid touching your eyes. If you do accidentally touch your eyes, you’ll need to rinse them out immediately. 

With those tips in mind, here's a simple guide on how to cut jalapeño peppers:

  • Wash the jalapeños: Rinse them under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.
  • Slice in half lengthwise: Cut the jalapeño in half lengthwise, using a sharp knife.
  • Remove the seeds: The seeds and membrane are the parts that contain the most heat. Use a spoon or your fingers to carefully remove them. If you prefer a spicier jalapeño, leave some of the seeds in.
  • Dice or slice: Once the seeds are removed, you can dice the jalapeño into small pieces or slice them into thin strips

Ingredients

Recipe yields 12 servings

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How to Make Jalapeño Poppers

  1. Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 375°. Line a baking sheet with foil.

  2. Step 2

    On a flat surface, slice the jalapeños lengthwise (wear rubber gloves). With a small spoon, scrape out the seeds and ribs from each jalapeño and discard. Set jalapeño halves aside.

  3. Step 3

    In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese, half the cheddar cheese, the onion and the cilantro. Stir to combine. Season the mixture with the salt, black pepper and cumin. Stir to combine.

  4. Step 4

    With a spoon, fill the peppers with the cream cheese filling. Arrange the peppers on the baking sheet and sprinkle with the remaining half of the cheddar cheese. If desired, lightly sprinkle each jalapeño with bacon crumbles.

  5. Step 5

    Bake for 8 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned and the peppers are softened. Cool for 5 minutes before serving.

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Nutrition Facts

Serving Size:
2 jalapeño halves

53
Calories
3
g
Fat
11
mg
Cholesterol
107
mg
Sodium
3
g
Carbs
2
g
Sat. Fat
0
g
Fiber
3
g
Protein
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