Description
Fried Jalapeño Popper Bites are crispy, golden-fried cheese balls filled with creamy cream cheese, shredded pepper jack cheese, spicy diced jalapeños, smoky bacon bits, and a hint of sriracha for extra zing. These bite-sized appetizers offer a perfect balance of spicy, savory, and cheesy flavors, coated in a crunchy breadcrumb crust and fried to perfection for a crowd-pleasing snack or party treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
- 3 jalapeños (seeded and diced)
- ¼ cup chopped bacon
- 2 tbsp sriracha sauce
Coating
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- ½ cup plain bread crumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt
For Frying
- Peanut oil or canola oil (enough for deep frying)
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded pepper jack cheese, diced seeded jalapeños, chopped bacon, and sriracha sauce. Stir well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated to create a spicy, cheesy mixture.
- Form the cheese balls: Using a spoon, scoop the cheese mixture and roll it into bite-sized balls. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they are evenly spaced. Freeze the balls for 30 minutes to firm up, making them easier to coat and fry.
- Set up the breading stations: Prepare three separate bowls: one with all-purpose flour, the second with beaten eggs, and the third with a mixture of panko bread crumbs, plain bread crumbs, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt. Mix the dry ingredients thoroughly to ensure even seasoning.
- Heat the oil: Pour enough peanut or canola oil into a deep fryer or large heavy pot to allow deep frying. Heat the oil to 350˚F (175˚C), monitoring the temperature with a thermometer for accurate frying.
- Coat the cheese balls: Remove the frozen cheese balls from the freezer. One at a time, dip each ball first into the flour, coating completely, then into the beaten eggs, and finally roll them in the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated. This triple layer helps create a crispy exterior.
- Fry the bites: Carefully place several coated cheese balls into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 2-3 minutes or until the exterior turns golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to gently turn them if needed for even frying.
- Drain excess oil: Remove the fried jalapeño popper bites and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil, keeping them crisp and less greasy.
- Serve and store: Serve the jalapeño popper bites warm as an appetizer or party snack. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
Notes
- Freezing the cheese balls before coating helps maintain their shape during frying.
- Adjust the number of jalapeños according to your preferred spice level; use fewer for milder bites.
- Ensure oil temperature stays consistent at 350˚F to avoid greasy or undercooked bites.
- Use a combination of panko and plain bread crumbs for extra crunch and texture.
- Leftover bites can be reheated in an air fryer or oven to restore crispiness.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour and bread crumbs with gluten-free alternatives.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: jalapeño popper bites, fried appetizers, spicy cheese balls, bacon jalapeño bites, party snacks
