Traditional jalapeno poppers kicked up a notch!  These Cheez-It Crusted Bacon Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers are perfect for game day or snack time!

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Hi friends!  Happy Wednesday!

I know what you’re thinking – what the whaaa?  Wednesday!?  Lady, you are a day early.  You post on Mondays and Thursdays.

Well, today is special and covered in cheesy goodness.  So I’m posting on a different day… to keep things fresh and to keep you on your toes.

You’re welcome.  😉 If you follow college basketball, you know the month of March is all about the hoops.

And food.  Because let’s face it, you can’t partake in game day shenanigans without good eats.  And to me the food is just as important as any big game.

So before we get down to deliciousness, I have a couple tips on how to make your game day the ultimate, so your next shindig can be off the hook:

*Plan Ahead.  Don’t wait until the last minute to know exactly what you are making.  A hostess with the mostess is locked on the menu, stocked up and ready to go.

*Make a menu that will please everyone.  If you aren’t sure about your guest’s food preferences or allergies be sure to ask in advance.  And always have something for everyone.  I like to have at least a meat, chicken and vegetarian option, that way all my basis are covered.

*Game day food should be pop-tastic.  Focus of foods that are one to two bites at most.  This isn’t the time to be serving an elegant roast.  😉

*Always make the food readily available.  Make sure you have a designated table for all your appetizers and snacks.  You don’t want your guests to have to miss any of the game to get their grub on, so make sure the table is close (Preferably no more than a few feet away).  You also don’t want to make your guests feel guilty by taking the last piece of anything, so make sure that table is fully stocked with goodies.

*Don’t forget the beverages.  You should have a wide variety of beverages, from soda and water to beer, wine and possibly a house cocktail.  Because while you may want to do keg stands, your guests may prefer to be sober.  So now that we’ve covered a few tips on how to host a rockin’ party, let’s talk about one of the appetizers you should be serving at your next college basketball soiree.

Cheez-It Crusted Bacon Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers

You guys, these jalapenos are some next level poppers.  They are covered in crunchy, spicy, cheesy Cheez-It Hot & Spicy Grooves and loaded to the gills with salty, crispy, pork-tastic bacon and three types of dreamy, creamy cheese.

These poppers are cheese overload in the very best way.  Crisp Cheez-It crust; smoky, spicy jalapenos and gooey, oozing, bacon studded cheese.

Love at first bite, my friends. Now that I have you drooling, I want to leave you guys with a quick couple notes before you go off on your marry, jalapeno-poppin’ way.

Tips for the best jalapeno poppers:

1. I prefer for my jalapeno poppers to be seriously spicy, so I like to leave the ribs and some seeds in my jalapeno halves. If you prefer a milder popper remove all ribs and seeds.
2. I left the stems on one half of the sliced jalapenos for appearances, this is optional. Feel free to remove it.
3. I used a food processor to pulse the Cheez-Its into fine crumbs, but a you can also place them in a large Ziploc bag and use a rolling pin.
4. To make less of a mess when coating your jalapeno poppers, use two hands. One hand for the dry ingredients (flour and Cheez-Its) and one for the wet ingredient (eggs).
5. The poppers can be stuffed a day in advance, but do not coat them with flour, egg and Cheez-Its. Cover and refrigerate them until ready to use then proceed with coating and baking them.

So whether you are hosting a party for all things maddening in March, or a shindig completely unrelated to all things basketball, add these Jalapeno Poppers to your menu!  I promise you guys are going to love them!  Until next week friends, Cheers – to the big Cheez.

-xoxo-

Cheyanne

What creative dish will you make with Cheez-Its, the perfect game day snack?

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Cheez-It Crusted Bacon Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

25 mins

Total Time

45 mins

 

Cream cheese and bacon stuffed jalapenos crusted with Cheez-Its.  

Course: Appetizer, Snack, starter

Cuisine: American

Servings: 20

Calories: 113 kcal

Author: Cheyanne Holzworth

Ingredients

• 10 Jalapeno Peppers – stemmed, sliced lengthwise and seeds removed*
• 5 Slices Center Cut Bacon – cooked and crumbled
• 6 ounces Cream Cheese
• 1 Cup Colby Cheese – shredded
• ½ Cup White Cheddar – shredded
• ¼ Cup Yellow Onion – minced
• ½ tsp Garlic Powder
• ¼ tsp Cumin
• ½ Tsp smoked Paprika
• 1 Cup Flour
• Salt and Pepper , to taste
• 2 Large Eggs
• 2 TBS Milk
• 4 Cups Cheez-It Grooves Hot & Spicy

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean up
2. Make the filling: In a mixing bowl mash together the bacon, cream cheese, Colby, white cheddar, onion, garlic powder, cumin and paprika. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
3. Stuff the jalapeno peppers and set aside.
4. Crush the Cheez-Its: Add the Cheez-Its to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until crushed very fine. Or, place Cheez-Its in a large Ziploc bag and use a rolling pin until crushed very fine. Transfer to a bowl.
5. In another bowl mix together flour and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. In a third bowl, whisk together the eggs and the milk; season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
6. Coat the Jalapenos*: Coat the stuffed jalapenos in the flour, then the egg mixture, and finally the crushed Cheez-Its. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and repeat with remaining jalapenos.
7. Bake the Jalapenos for 20-30 minutes or until lightly browned and cheese is just barely oozing.
8. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

*Yield: 20 Jalapeno Poppers
*Use two hands when coating the jalapenos – one hand for the dry bowls (flour and Cheez-Its) and one hand for the wet bowl (eggs).
*Make Ahead: Jalapeno peppers can be stuffed a day in advance. Cover and refrigerate until to use. When ready, coat the jalapenos with flour, eggs, Cheez-Its and bake.

*Nutritional Information does not include Cheez-It crust.

Nutrition Facts

Cheez-It Crusted Bacon Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers

Amount Per Serving

Calories 113 Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Fat 7g11%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Cholesterol 40mg13%

Sodium 117mg5%

Potassium 61mg2%

Carbohydrates 6g2%

Protein 5g10%

Vitamin A 365IU7%

Vitamin C 8.4mg10%

Calcium 102mg10%

Iron 0.5mg3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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