Baconwrapped Jalapeño Popper Footballs

Recipe Introduction

Fancy some football food appetizers that’ll get everyone talking? I know I do! Have you ever wanted to impress your mates with something a bit different for game day? Then you are going to love these Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Popper Footballs.

They’re spicy, cheesy, and ridiculously addictive.

These aren’t your average party food appetizers . We're taking a classic jalapeno popper recipe and giving it a football party food makeover.

This snack is all about great flavours, with creamy cheese, spicy jalapeños, and crispy bacon. Trust me, they'll be gone faster than you can say "Touchdown!".

What's the Big Deal?

Originating from the Tex-Mex cuisine, jalapeno poppers have become a Super Bowl food staple. This recipe takes that classic and shapes them to impress your guests.

It's a medium difficulty recipe, taking about 50 minutes total, with about 25 minutes prep and 25 minutes cook time, but the outcome is 12 delicious bacon wrapped appetizers .

Why You'll Love These Popper Footballs

Besides tasting amazing, they offer a bit of protein from the bacon and cheese. They're perfect for tailgate food events, Super Bowl parties, or any game day food gathering.

Honestly, what makes this recipe so special is the fun football shape it's a guaranteed crowd pleaser! The spicy appetizers are full of flavour.

The recipe includes a cream cheese appetizers filling. It's a simple twist that makes all the difference. So grab your apron and let’s get cooking.

You will be so happy that you did!

Ingredients & Equipment for the Best Football Appetizers

Alright, let's talk about what you need to make these Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Popper Footballs . Trust me, this recipe is a game changer.

It's a fun twist on party food appetizers that will make you the MVP of your football party food spread.

We'll break it down, so you're not caught offside.

Main Ingredients: Level Up Your Tailgate Food!

First, you need the good stuff. We're talking fresh jalapeño peppers and creamy cheese. Here's the breakdown. This recipe is perfect for the next Super Bowl food event.

• Jalapeño Peppers: 6 large (about 170g ), halved, seeded. Quality indicator: firm, bright green. Be careful. Seriously, use gloves!
• Cream Cheese: 8 ounces ( 225g ), softened.
• Cheddar Cheese: 1 cup ( 100g ), shredded.
• Monterey Jack Cheese: ½ cup ( 50g ), shredded.
• Green Onions: 2 tablespoons , finely chopped.
• Bacon: 1 pound ( 450g ), thinly sliced, roughly 12 slices.
• Sour Cream: 1/4 cup . This is to make the laces.
• Garlic Powder: 1/4 tsp . Mix it into the sour cream.

Seasoning Notes: Spice Up Your Game Day Food

Seasoning is key. Don't be a penalty box player, play with flavor!. Here are some essentials.

• Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon .
• Smoked Paprika: ½ teaspoon .
• Salt and Pepper: To taste.
• Essential Spice Combo : Smoked paprika and garlic powder are your MVPs!
• Quick Sub : Use garlic salt if you are a mad lad, but that's a bold move, mate.
• For a spicier appetizer , add a pinch of cayenne pepper!

Equipment Needed: Keep it Simple

You don’t need fancy gear to whip up these football appetizers . Just the basics.

• Baking Sheet: The playing field.
• Parchment Paper or Aluminum Foil: Line the sheet to avoid sticking.
• Mixing Bowl: Combine the cheese.
• Small Bowl or Piping Bag: Put the sour cream here.
• Gloves: Trust me on the jalapeño thing.
• Toothpicks: To hold the bacon in place.

Honestly, the secret to amazing bacon wrapped appetizers is good ingredients and a bit of patience. Don't worry if your first football isn't perfect.

Practice makes perfect, right? Now, go forth and create some seriously delicious football food appetizers ! Enjoy!

Alright, let's get ready for some football appetizers ! Who's ready to ditch the same old crisps and dips? I'm talking next level Game Day Food , that'll have everyone chanting your name louder than they chant for the winning team!

Cooking Method: Baking Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Popper Footballs

Honestly, these Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Popper Footballs are a guaranteed touchdown! It's tailgate food with a bit of class.

Prep Steps for Epic Football Food Appetizers

First things first. Mise en place , baby! Get everything ready to go. Chop those scallions, soften the cream cheese.

Seriously, don't skip this. It makes life SO much easier. Grab your gloves. Those jalapeños pack a punch! Remember to breathe, people!

step-by-step to Popper Perfection

1. Halve and seed the jalapeños. Wear gloves, seriously! Rinse well.
2. Mix cream cheese, cheddar, Monterey Jack, scallions, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Spoon that cheesy goodness into the jalapeño halves.
4. Gently mold into football shapes. Chill for 10 mins. This helps them stay in shape.
5. Wrap each football in bacon, secure with toothpicks. Make sure to cover the entire pepper with bacon!
6. Bake at 400° F ( 200° C) for 20- 25 minutes . Until bacon is crispy.
7. Make the laces. Combine sour cream with garlic powder and salt. Place the sour cream mixture in a piping bag, or small bowl, if decorating with a spoon. Once poppers are done, create the football laces with the sour cream mixture.
8. Cool slightly. Remove toothpicks before serving! Don't want any emergencies.

Pro Tips for Maximum Flavor and Festive Football Party Food

For a milder flavor, soak the jalapeños in ice water for 30 mins. I always do this. It really helps.

To ensure crispy bacon, place the poppers on a wire rack. make-ahead? Absolutely! Assemble the poppers a day in advance and keep refrigerated.

Need an extra kick for Spicy Appetizers ? Add a pinch of cayenne to the filling. Boom! Bacon Wrapped Appetizers , they're always a winner.

These are the perfect addition for your Super Bowl Food selection. Not a fan of jalapeños? No worries, you can make the same recipe with bell peppers instead, for those with low spice tolerance.

Cream Cheese Appetizers can also be a good choice if you want to change things up a bit.

Recipe Notes: Nailing Those Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Popper Footballs

Right then, let’s talk shop about these epic football appetizers ! Honestly, making these Bacon Wrapped Appetizers is pretty straightforward, but a few tips can make them amazing .

These are perfect football food appetizers , right?

Serving Up a Touchdown

Plating these little football party food bombs is half the fun! I like arranging them on a wooden board to get a rustic feel.

For the presentation, think about the footy! You can scatter some tortilla chips around them. Serve with a side of ranch for dipping that's classic.

Plus, what's game day without a good beer? A crisp lager or a tangy margarita would be mint with these spicy bad boys.

These party food appetizers always go down a treat.

Storage: Keep ‘Em Fresh

Okay, so you’ve got leftovers? Unlikely, but hey, it happens! Pop any uneaten poppers into an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to three days.

Reheat them in the oven at 350° F ( 175° C) for about 10 minutes you want that bacon crispy again! Freezing? Not the best idea because the cream cheese can get a bit weird.

But, if you must , wrap them individually, freeze, then reheat in the oven. These game day food treats are always a winner.

Switching it Up: Variations on a Theme

Want to mess with the formula? Go for it! If you're trying to cut down on dairy, try using a dairy-free cream cheese alternative it's not quite the same, but it does the trick.

Or, swap out the cheddar and Monterey Jack for a spicy pepper jack to crank up the heat! Seasonal swaps? In autumn, roast some butternut squash, mash it up and add to the filling, the sweetness is a banger with the spicy jalapeno.

Remember, if you are not a fan of spice, feel free to use bell peppers to make it mild for those with low spice tolerance.

Consider a cashew cream frosting as a dairy-free alternative to sour cream.

Nutrition: The Basics

Alright, let's keep it real: these aren't exactly health food! But hey, everything in moderation, yeah? Each popper clocks in around 250 calories , with about 12g of protein and 20g of fat .

The jalapeños do give you a bit of a metabolism boost, though! Plus, all that protein will keep you feeling full through all the footy action.

These spicy appetizers pack a punch, you know?

So there you have it everything you need to nail these Jalapeno Popper Recipe . Seriously, these cream cheese appetizers are always a winner.

Honestly, get stuck in, have a laugh, and enjoy the game! These will be the star of the tailgate food spread.

You got this!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these bacon wrapped jalapeño popper football appetizers ahead of time? I'm a busy bee!

Absolutely! You can assemble these bad boys a day in advance. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake. Think of it as your culinary version of a "set it and forget it" slow cooker, but for game day!

How do I keep the bacon crispy on my football appetizers? Nobody wants a soggy rasher!

Crispy bacon is crucial! To ensure your bacon gets that perfect crunch, place the football appetizers on a wire rack set inside the baking sheet. This allows the fat to drip away and the hot air to circulate, giving you maximum crispiness.

You could even give the bacon a quick pan-fry before wrapping for extra confidence.

Are there any substitutes for the jalapeños? I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to spice!

Not a problem, spice isn't for everyone! You can easily substitute bell peppers for the jalapeños. They'll give you the same satisfying crunch and shape without the fiery kick.

Alternatively, you could soak the jalapeños in ice water for around 30 minutes before filling to remove some of the heat, but bell peppers are your best bet for a spice free experience!

What other cheeses can I use in these football appetizers? I'm feeling adventurous.

Get creative! While cheddar and Monterey Jack are classics, feel free to experiment. Pepper jack will add a bit more heat, or you could try a blend of Gruyère and Parmesan for a more sophisticated, nutty flavor.

Just be sure to use cheeses that melt well, you don't want a "Great British Bake Off" cheese disaster on your hands!

How long do these bacon wrapped jalapeño popper footballs last, and how should I store them? I always make too much!

Leftover bacon wrapped jalapeño popper footballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and the bacon is crispy again.

Microwaving is an option, but the bacon won't be as crisp.

I am not a fan of sour cream - what can I use for the football laces?

Not a problem! If you are dairy-free, try using a cashew cream frosting instead, as this is a good alternative to sour cream. Alternatively, you can also try yogurt or cream cheese thinned out with a little milk.