Goat Cheese Jalapeños: Cooking Time For Spicy Delights

Jalapenos stuffed with goat cheese and other ingredients are a popular appetizer, especially for parties and tailgating. The jalapenos can be grilled or baked, and are often wrapped in bacon. The goat cheese is mixed with other ingredients such as cream cheese, garlic, tomatoes, and various other types of cheese. The jalapenos can be cooked in an air fryer or in the oven. The length of cooking time varies depending on the method, but is generally around 20-25 minutes.

How to prepare the jalapeños

Step 1: Slicing the Jalapeños

Slice the jalapeños in half, either lengthwise or by slicing off the top third of the pepper to create a boat shape. If you want a milder flavour, scrape out the seeds and ribs with a spoon. For a spicier kick, leave the seeds and ribs intact.

Step 2: Adjusting the Heat

If you prefer a milder flavour, remove all the seeds and ribs. For a medium heat level, leave a few seeds attached in each jalapeño half. If you like it hot, leave all the seeds and ribs in place. Remember to use gloves when handling the jalapeños to protect your skin, and be careful not to touch your eyes.

Step 3: Filling the Jalapeños

Prepare your chosen filling. This could be a mixture of goat cheese, cream cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper. You can also add chopped tomatoes, cumin, cilantro, or shredded jack cheese. Fill the jalapeño halves with the mixture, ensuring they are well-stuffed.

Step 4: Wrapping the Jalapeños (Optional)

If you want to add bacon to your jalapeño poppers, wrap each stuffed jalapeño with half a slice of bacon and secure both ends with toothpicks. You can also try wrapping them with thin, crispy bacon for a different texture.

Step 5: Cooking the Jalapeños

There are several ways to cook your stuffed jalapeños:

• Bake them in the oven at 375-400°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the bacon is crispy.
• Grill them for a charred flavour.
• Air fry the jalapeños for 4 minutes, then fill them and air fry for another 3-5 minutes.

How to make the goat cheese mixture

The goat cheese mixture is a key component of goat cheese-stuffed jalapeños, adding a creamy texture and tangy flavour to the dish. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make the goat cheese mixture:

Ingredients

Firstly, gather your ingredients. The exact quantities can vary depending on personal preference and the number of jalapeños being prepared, but the key ingredients are:

• Goat cheese: Use a small log of fresh goat cheese, not the dry crumbly variety.
• Cream cheese: This helps to balance the mixture and make it easier to spread.
• Jalapeños: Fresh jalapeño peppers, rinsed and sliced lengthwise, with the seeds and membrane removed.
• Bacon: Standard or thin slices are best, but thicker slices can be used if par-cooked first.
• Optional: Toothpicks to secure the bacon, and a balsamic glaze or fresh parmesan to drizzle over the top.

Mixing the Cheese

In a medium-sized bowl, mix the goat cheese and cream cheese together. The mixture should be mostly goat cheese to retain its distinctive flavour, but enough cream cheese should be added to make the mixture smooth and easy to spread. A spoonful or two of cream cheese is usually enough. You can also add other ingredients to the mixture, such as garlic, cumin, or chopped tomatoes, to taste.

Stuffing the Jalapeños

Once the cheese mixture is ready, it's time to stuff the jalapeños. Generously spread the mixture into the jalapeño halves, ensuring they are filled to the top. If desired, the jalapeños can be pre-cooked before stuffing to soften them, but this is not necessary. Wrap each stuffed jalapeño with half a slice of bacon, securing both ends with toothpicks if needed.

Cooking the Jalapeños

The stuffed jalapeños can be cooked in an oven, air fryer, or on a grill. For oven cooking, preheat the oven to 375-400°F and bake the jalapeños for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the bacon is crispy. For an air fryer, cook at 370°F for 4 minutes, then turn them over, add the cheese mixture, and cook for another 3-4 minutes. For grilling, cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side until softened and charred.

How to cook the goat cheese-stuffed jalapeños

Ingredients

Depending on the number of servings, you will need:

• 10-12 jalapeños
• Goat cheese (a small log, not too dry)
• Cream cheese
• Bacon
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Garlic
• Tomatoes
• Balsamic glaze
• Toothpicks

Preparation

First, prepare the jalapeños by slicing the stems off and halving them lengthwise. If you want to reduce the heat, scrape out the seeds and ribs with a spoon. If you like it hot, leave the seeds and ribs in.

Cooking methods

Air fryer

Brush the jalapeños with olive oil and place them in the air fryer at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 minutes. While they are cooking, prepare the filling by mixing the goat cheese, cream cheese, tomatoes, and garlic in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Once the jalapeños are done, flip them over, fill them with the cheese mixture, and place them back in the air fryer for another 3 minutes.

Oven

Preheat the oven to 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit. After cleaning the jalapeños, fill them with the cheese mixture and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and the jalapeños are slightly softened.

Grill

Preheat the grill to medium-high heat or about 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Oil the grates, place the jalapeños cut-side up, and grill for 4-5 minutes on each side until they are soft and have grill marks. Remove from the grill, fill them with the cheese mixture, and serve immediately.

Tips

• Wear disposable gloves when handling jalapeños and wash your hands thoroughly with warm soapy water when you are done. Do not touch your eyes for several hours after handling the peppers.
• If you want milder peppers, look for those with smooth skins. Striations indicate a hotter pepper.
• You can make the jalapeños ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. Reheat them in the air fryer for 1 minute or in the microwave until warm.
• For extra heat, leave some seeds in the jalapeños before filling and cooking them.

How to cook the bacon

Bacon Preparation

Start by lining a baking sheet with foil and placing a few strips of bacon on it. The number of strips depends on the number of jalapeños you are preparing. You can also use a baking rack placed on top of the baking sheet to collect the bacon grease.

Place the baking sheet in the oven and par-bake the bacon strips for about 10-15 minutes. You want to render off some of the fat, so keep an eye on it and remove it before it gets crispy.

Once the bacon is par-baked, transfer the strips to a paper-towel-lined plate and pat them down with more paper towels to remove excess fat. Let the bacon cool down for a few minutes before handling.

Wrapping the Jalapeños

Take your jalapeños and cut them in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and the membrane. If you prefer more heat, you can leave some of the seeds and membrane intact.

In a bowl, mix the goat cheese with a spoonful of cream cheese. The cream cheese will make the mixture easier to spread. You can also add other ingredients to the mixture, such as garlic, cumin, or chopped tomatoes, to enhance the flavor.

Using a table knife or an offset spatula, generously spread the cheese mixture into the jalapeño halves. Wrap each stuffed jalapeño half with a slice of bacon and secure it with toothpicks.

Cooking the Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeños

You can cook the bacon-wrapped jalapeños in the oven or on a grill. If using the oven, preheat it to 370-400°F (187-204°C). Place the jalapeños on a baking sheet or directly on the oven rack and cook for 20-30 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

If using a grill, preheat it to medium-high heat, around 400°F (204°C). Oil the grates to prevent sticking, then place the jalapeños cut-side up and grill for about 4-5 minutes per side.

Tips and Variations

• You can also air fry the jalapeños at 370°F for 4 minutes, fill them with the cheese mixture, and air fry again for another 3-4 minutes.
• For extra crispiness, you can turn on the broiler for the last minute or two of cooking.
• If you want to make the jalapeños ahead of time, you can prepare the jalapeños and the cheese mixture separately and store them in the refrigerator until ready to cook.
• If you prefer your bacon extra crispy, you can partially cook it before wrapping the jalapeños.
• For a vegetarian option, you can omit the bacon and simply grill or bake the stuffed jalapeños.

How to assemble the dish

How to assemble goat cheese-stuffed jalapeños

Ingredients

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need:

• Jalapeños
• Goat cheese
• Cream cheese
• Bacon
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Garlic
• Tomatoes
• Balsamic glaze

Preparing the jalapeños

Slice the tops off the jalapeños and cut them in half lengthwise. If you want a milder flavour, remove the seeds and ribs. For a spicier flavour, leave some seeds attached. Be sure to wear gloves while handling the jalapeños, and wash your hands afterwards, to avoid getting pepper oil on your skin or in your eyes.

Preparing the filling

Mix the goat cheese, cream cheese, garlic, and tomatoes together in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Stuffing the jalapeños

Use a spoon to fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture. Wrap each stuffed jalapeño with half a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.

Cooking the jalapeños

Preheat your oven to 375-400°F. Place the jalapeños on a baking sheet and cook for 20-25 minutes, until the bacon is crispy. Alternatively, you can cook the jalapeños in an air fryer at 370°F for 4 minutes, then turn them over and cook for another 3 minutes.

Serving

Drizzle the cooked jalapeños with balsamic glaze and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions