Finding a tasty and tangy food to get your meal started in the right direction? These Jalapeño Cornbread Poppers are the way to go. Jalapeno halves are filled with a flavorful mix of corn muffin mix, egg, sour cream, corn, chopped bacon, cheddar and chives. They’re then baked in the oven until cornbread is golden. Who can resist them? I know that I can’t.
This recipe carries about 660 kcal for 12 servings. While the amount of calories may be high, worry not, the spicy note of the jalapeños will help burn those calories really quickly. Whether you serve this as an appetizer, main course, or snack, it will always capture attention thanks to its complex flavor profile.
I first served this dish at my family gathering, and everyone just loved it, children and adults alike. Now it’s one of my family’s favorites, and we have it on our dinner table at least twice a month. The dish is a great alternative when everyone wants something bold to whet their appetite.
12
servings20
minutes40
minutesThese jalapeño cornbread poppers are now one of my family’s favorites. We love serving it for weekend meals and small parties.
Ingredients
1 box JIFFY corn muffin mix
12 jalapeños
6 slices bacon
1/2 c. sour cream
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 c. creamed corn, drained (optional)
1/2 c. shredded Cheddar
1 large egg
2 tbsp. finely chopped chives, plus more for garnish
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350° F and prepare a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Cut jalapeños in half, lengthwise and scoop out seeds. Place on prepared baking sheet.
- Cook bacon over medium heat until crispy. Reserving grease, remove from heat and drain bacon on paper towels and let cool. Chop into small pieces.
- Gather corn muffin mix, egg, sour cream, and reserved bacon fat in a large bowl, and mix until combined.
- Season with pepper then fold in corn (if using), chopped bacon, cheddar and chives.
- Scoop cornbread batter into jalapeño halves and bake until cornbread is golden, 18 to 20 minutes.
- Garnish with chives and serve.
Recipe Video
Serving suggestions:
Jalapeño Cornbread Poppers is a versatile dish that can be served in various ways according to different preferences:
Dipping sauce: Ranch dressing is a great option, as the cool and zesty sauce helps cut through the spicy jalapeños. Chipotle mayo, on the other hand, adds another layer of spiciness and deepens the flavor of the dish. Honey butter provides extra flavor with its creamy, sweet taste, also pairs well with this dish. You can customize the dipping sauce to your liking or use these suggestions.
Party Platters: The Jalapeño Cornbread Poppers can be served with coleslaw (choose creamy or vinegar-based for better contrast). Guacamole or avocado crema can be an option for a creamy side dish. Black bean salad or pickled veggies provide brightness to balance the heat are good, also.
Side dish: This dish goes well with other main dishes like BBQ, fried chicken, or steak. Overall, it goes well with spicy, smoky food, enhancing the flavor profile.
This dish can be altered for different flavor preferences. If you serve it at a gathering, try hosting a DIY Popper contest with guests. Everyone is free to create their own recipes with different filling components and toppings. Jalapeño poppers with pulled pork, a tangy, sweet, and savory version. Cornbread-stuffed poblanos are also a nice choice, milder in taste but no less delicious. Veggie versions with roasted bell peppers for more freshness. It will be fun, trust me.
Some tips:
When choosing jalapeños, look for those that are large, firm, and have a bright green color. We need big ones to carry the filling.
The seeds are much spicier, remove all the seeds for a milder version. However, if you love heat, feel free to leave some or chop the jalapeños and mix them directly into the batter.
This dish can be made in advance and stored in a sealed zip bag or container in your freezer. Simply take them out and bake them when needed.
FAQs:
Can I use a different cheese for this dish? Sure! Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack are great alternatives, adding creaminess for a smoother texture and enhancing the heat. They will be the way to go for spice-o-philes.
How spicy are these poppers? Jalapeño has medium spiciness. It’s enough to provide a noticeable kick but not overly hot for most of us. By removing the seeds, it will have a milder taste. For extra spiciness, mix in chopped jalapeños or sprinkle pepper flakes.
Can I make these ahead of time? Yes, you just need to bake and store them in a sealed container in the fridge, -2°C. When you want to serve in meal, take them out and bake them in the oven to make them hot and crispy.
Reviews
YummyDumpling – I would have liked it to be just a bit sweeter, but it was still tasty.
childofthecorn5 – Soft, ever so SLIGHTLY sweet, and not at all dry: everything I want out of cornbread. Seriously had to give it away so I wouldn’t eat the whole pan.
pears-a-roni – Only takes a few minutes to put together and makes sizeable pieces! A little bit on the dry side for my taste, but overall a good cornbread recipe.
FrankiZ – Exactly what I expected a perfect cornbread to taste like. Perfect texture, a tad bit sweet on the backend with heavy savory notes. AND the honey butter is EVERYTHING!!!
meg4491 – This was a hit at Thanksgiving! I was even asked to bring it to another family gathering the following weekend. It’s so easy to make and was great with both Thanksgiving dinner AND a big pot of chili.
