Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños (Freezer Friendly Appetizer)

When it comes to freezer cooking, main dishes and sides typically get all the attention. But what about the appetizers? It’s always a good idea to have a few freezer-friendly appetizers on hand for a special occasion! With these bacon wrapped jalapeños, you can whip up a delicious appetizer ahead of time so you’re prepared for your next get-together.

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños Recipe

Ingredients:

• 12 medium to large jalapeños
• 8 ounce block of cream cheese
• Dash of pepper
• 3/4 cup shredded cheddar, Tex-Mex, or jalapeño jack cheese
• 12 slices of bacon

Freezing instructions:

1. Use a pair of kitchen scissors to cut each strip of bacon in half width-wise to make 24 short pieces.
2. Prepare the jalapeños by slicing the stems off each of the peppers, then cutting them in half lengthwise. Use a spoon or the side of your knife to remove the seeds and membranes from each pepper half.
3. Mix the filling for your stuffed peppers by combining the cream cheese, shredded cheese, and pepper in a small bowl.
4. Use a spoon to fill each pepper half with a small amount of the cream cheese mixture, making sure not to over-fill the peppers to prevent the cheese from leaking out while the jalapeños are baking.
5. After stuffing each jalapeño, wrap each pepper with one of the half strips of bacon.
6. Place the wrapped peppers on a baking sheet in a single layer and put the pan in the freezer.
7. Once the peppers are frozen, transfer them to a large resealable freezer bag. Seal the bag, leaving a small opening at the end of the seal to remove the excess air, then place the bag in the freezer until you’re ready to eat.

Serving instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
2. Place the frozen peppers on a baking sheet or on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet and cook for 20-25 minutes.
3. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate before serving.

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Recipe Tips & Tricks

You won’t believe how easy this freezer-friendly appetizer recipe is to make! And with these cooking and freezing tips, you’ll be able to whip up this popular snack with just a few minutes of prep work.

• Freeze the jalapeños in small foil pans for easy baking. While I love storing my freezer meals in freezer bags to save space, sometimes its easier on cooking day to have everything I need in a baking pan. To make serving day simpler, try freezing your bacon wrapped jalapenos in small foil containers covered with foil. That way, you can place them right in the oven when you’re ready to start cooking.
• Try different filling options. If you’re looking for ways to adjust this recipe to suit your family’s tastes, try adjusting the filling. For a less rich option, fill your jalapenos with just cream cheese and pepper before wrapping. Or mix in some thinly sliced green onions to add even more flavor to the filling.
• Cook your jalapeños in the air fryer. Instead of reheating your bacon wrapped peppers in the oven, cook them in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees and cook the peppers for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is hot and the bacon is crispy.

Make Ahead Appetizers

Entertaining is a breeze when you’ve got appetizers in the freezer ready to serve. Some of our other make ahead appies:

• Buffalo Chicken Dip
• Sweet and Sour Chicken Wings
• Thai Chili Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Print

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

25 mins

 

Course: Appetizer

Keyword: bacon

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 jalapeños medium to large
• 8 oz. cream cheese
• pepper dash
• 3/4 cup cheddar shredded or Tex-Mex, or jalapeno jack cheese
• 12 slices bacon

Instructions

Freezing instructions:

1. Use a pair of kitchen scissors to cut each strip of bacon in half width-wise to make 24 short pieces.

2. Prepare the jalapeños by slicing the stems off each of the peppers, then cutting them in half lengthwise. Use a spoon or the side of your knife to remove the seeds and membranes.

3. Combine the cream cheese, shredded cheese, and pepper in a small bowl.

4. Use a spoon to fill each pepper half with a small amount of the cream cheese mixture, making sure not to over-fill the peppers.

5. After stuffing, wrap each pepper with one of the half strips of bacon.

6. Place the wrapped peppers on a baking sheet in a single layer and put the pan in the freezer.

7. Once frozen, transfer them to a large resealable freezer bag. Seal, remove the excess air, and freeze.

Cooking instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450°.

2. Place the frozen peppers on a baking sheet or on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet and cook for 20-25 minutes.

3. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate before serving.