Bacon Jalapeño Cheez-It® Poppers

A spicy and cheesy game day treat that combines Cheez-It® crackers with jalapeños and cream cheese. Score!

PREP TIME (MIN): 20

TOTAL TIME (MIN): 40

SERVINGS 16

Ingredients

4 strips thick cut bacon
1 cup Cheez-It® Crackers
8 medium jalapeños, sliced and cored
4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
2 large scallions, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Nonstick cooking spray

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crisped, 3-4 minutes per side. Remove to a paper towel lined plate. Once cool enough to handle, finely chop bacon.

3. In the same skillet with the residual rendered bacon fat over medium low heat, toast Cheez-It® Crackers until lightly golden brown, mixing around with a rubber spatula to coat in the fat, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat. Reserve 16 whole Cheez-It® and finely chop the rest.

4. In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, shredded cheeses, scallions, chopped bacon (reserving a couple tablespoons for garnish), chopped Cheez-It® Crackers, and salt. Mix to combine.

5. Arrange jalapeño halves on a prepared baking sheet. Scoop heaping tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture into the hollowed out jalapeño shells. Top with reserved bacon and coat with cooking spray. Bake until peppers are tender and filling is golden brown, 18-20 minutes. Remove from oven and top each jalapeño with reserved toasted Cheez-It®. Serve immediately.