Andy Montoya
Jalapeno poppers are a fun appetiser that can be made with a variety of cheeses. Cream cheese is the most common choice due to its neutral taste, but other popular options include cheddar, goat's cheese, blue cheese, feta, gouda, gruyere, and swiss cheese. The type of cheese used can be adjusted to suit personal preferences, and multiple cheeses can be combined to create unique flavours and textures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most common cheese | Cream cheese |
| Popular cheese choices | Cheddar, goat, blue, feta, Gruyère, Swiss, Mexican |
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What You'll Learn
Cream cheese is the most common choice
Cream cheese is also a good base for poppers with multiple types of cheese. For example, you could mix in some cheddar, gouda, Gruyère, or Swiss cheese. If you want a strongly flavoured popper, you could use a sharp, aged cheddar such as Barely Buzzed, which has a coffee rub that will match the intensity of the jalapenos. For a lighter option, a milder cheddar like Pour Me a Slice will melt more easily.
If you want to make vegetarian poppers, you can stuff your jalapenos with just cream cheese and top them with crushed BBQ chips. This option is also healthier than bacon-wrapped poppers, and less greasy.
For a quick and clean way to fill your jalapenos, try using a cake icing bag to pipe in the cream cheese mixture.
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Cheddar is a popular option
When choosing cheddar cheese for jalapeño poppers, you can select a sharp, aged cheddar such as Barely Buzzed, which has a coffee rub that adds a kick to match the intensity of the jalapeños. Alternatively, a milder cheddar like Pour Me a Slice may be preferred if you plan to melt the cheese for a smoother, less intense flavour.
Cheddar cheese is versatile and can be combined with other cheeses to create unique flavour profiles. Some popular combinations include cheddar with Gruyère and Swiss cheese, or cheddar with goat cheese. Additionally, cheddar can be infused with various ingredients such as lavender, espresso, or bourbon whiskey, adding complex flavours to your jalapeño poppers.
The versatility of cheddar in jalapeño poppers extends beyond the cheese itself. You can also incorporate other ingredients to enhance the overall flavour profile. For instance, Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, garlic powder, and bacon bits are commonly added to cheddar-based poppers. The combination of cheddar and bacon is particularly well-loved, as the savoury, smoky flavours of bacon complement the sharpness of cheddar.
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Blue cheese for a punchy flavour
Blue cheese is a great option for jalapeño poppers if you're looking for a punchy flavour. It's often paired with bacon to give a crunchy texture to your hors d'oeuvre. For the best texture, opt for a creamy blue cheese, such as the famous French blue cheese Saint Agur, rather than a crumbly variety.
Blue cheese has a strong flavour that will complement the jalapeño peppers. You can also add herbs and spices to your filling to enhance the flavour even more.
When making jalapeño poppers, you'll want to wear food-grade gloves to avoid burning your hands while removing the jalapeño seeds. Slice the jalapeño in half lengthwise, then use a knife to cut away the seeds and ribs. Make your filling by mixing softened blue cheese with your chosen herbs and spices. You can also add other ingredients like bacon bits, garlic, salt, and pepper to taste.
Once your filling is ready, spoon it into the jalapeño halves. You can then dip the jalapeños in milk and flour, let them dry, and repeat the process for a crispy coating. Finally, fry the poppers in hot oil until they're golden brown.
Blue cheese jalapeño poppers are sure to be a delicious and punchy treat that your friends and family will love!
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Feta for depth of flavour
Feta cheese is a great choice for jalapeño poppers as it adds depth of flavour. This is a brilliant alternative to the more commonly used cheddar cheese. Feta is a Persian favourite and can be used in fried, baked, or roasted poppers.
Aunt Bee's Recipes' three-cheese jalapeño poppers use feta alongside cream cheese, shredded cheese, cilantro, and onion. The peppers are stuffed with this mixture and roasted for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is brown at the edges and bubbly.
You can also add bacon bits, as suggested by Allrecipes.com, or Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, as suggested by another user.
If you want to make a large batch, you can freeze the uncooked poppers. First, let them cool, then arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place them in the freezer until they are frozen solid, then transfer them to a zip-top freezer bag. When you're ready to cook them, reheat them from frozen in the oven until heated through (400 degrees F for about 10 minutes should be enough).
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Goat's cheese is a good alternative
While cream cheese is the most common choice for jalapeno poppers, goat's cheese is a great alternative. Its distinctive flavour will add a unique twist to this classic appetiser.
Goat's cheese has a strong flavour, so it is best paired with a milder cheese, such as a smooth, mild cheddar, to create a creamy filling. You can also add spices to your filling to complement the goat's cheese. Chavrie's Goat Cheese Logs are a great option, as they come in a variety of flavours, including Sundried Tomato and Cranberry Orange Peel. These logs can be crumbled and added to your filling as they are, or you can spice them up with your choice of herbs and spices.
If you want to stick to a single type of cheese for your poppers, try using a creamy blue cheese, such as Saint Agur, which will give your poppers a punch of flavour.
When making jalapeno poppers, it is important to remember that hard cheeses are trickier to melt and won't have the same texture as cream cheese. You can get around this by grating or shredding your goat's cheese to help it melt more easily.
Goat's cheese jalapeno poppers are sure to be a delicious treat and a fun appetiser to delight your friends and family.
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Frequently asked questions
Some popular cheese options for jalapeno poppers include cheddar, goat's cheese, feta, blue cheese, Gruyère, Swiss cheese, and cream cheese.
Cream cheese is the most common choice for jalapeno poppers due to its neutral taste, which allows the jalapeno to shine. It is also easy to flavour with herbs and spices.
Cheddar cheese is a popular choice due to its strong flavour, which can match the intensity of jalapenos. Aged cheddars, such as Barely Buzzed, have a coffee rub that gives it a kick.
Blue cheese, such as Saint Agur, will give a punch to your poppers and is often paired with bacon to add a crunchy texture.
