Baking Sheet: Essential for roasting the peppers evenly and catching any cheese drips.
Parchment Paper: Creates a non-stick surface and makes cleanup a breeze.
Sharp Knife: Perfect for slicing peppers precisely and removing seeds.
Cutting Board: Provides a stable surface for preparing ingredients.
Mixing Bowls: Needed for combining cheese mixture and breadcrumb topping.
Spoon: Great for filling peppers with cheese mixture and sprinkling breadcrumbs.
Small Bowl: Useful for mixing breadcrumbs and olive oil.
Making Fresno Poppers with Precision
Warm Up The Oven Prepare your oven by setting it to a toasty 400F and grab a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Chop And Clean Peppers Slice those fiery Fresno peppers down the middle and scoop out all the seeds and inner membranes.
Mix Magic Cheese Blend cream cheese, cheddar, green onions, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper into a creamy, dreamy filling.
Stuff Those Peppers Generously fill each pepper half with the delicious cheese mixture, making sure every bite will be packed with flavor.
Add Crunch (Optional) Toss panko breadcrumbs with a splash of olive oil and sprinkle over the peppers for an irresistible crispy topping.
Bake To Perfection Pop the peppers into the oven and let them sizzle for 15-18 minutes until the cheese bubbles and turns golden and the peppers become tender.
Serve And Enjoy Pull the peppers from the oven, let them cool slightly, and get ready to devour these mouthwatering poppers while they're warm.
Flavor Add-Ins and Dip Pairings
Remove all seeds and membranes carefully to reduce heat intensity while keeping pepper structure intact.
Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for smoother blending and easier stuffing of pepper halves.
Replace panko breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds or almond flour for a low-carb, crispy topping alternative.
Choose mild or hot Fresno peppers based on personal heat preference, or mix different pepper varieties for complex flavor profile.
Prepare stuffed peppers up to 24 hours in advance, refrigerate, and bake just before serving to save time during entertaining.
How to Serve Spicy Poppers with Style
Spicy Game Night Delight: Serve these poppers as a zesty appetizer during football watch parties or board game nights with friends. Their bold flavor and crispy texture make them an instant crowd-pleaser.
Cheese and Charcuterie Partner: Pair these poppers alongside a charcuterie board with salami, prosciutto, and various cheeses. The spicy peppers complement cured meats perfectly and add exciting variety to your spread.
Quick Cocktail Companion: Offer these poppers as a tantalizing side with craft beer, margaritas, or white wine. Their cheesy, spicy profile matches wonderfully with refreshing alcoholic beverages, making them ideal for happy hour or social gatherings.
Salad Topping Twist: Crumble cooled poppers over mixed green salads for added crunch and flavor. They transform an ordinary salad into a gourmet experience with minimal effort, introducing a delightful spicy-cheesy element.
Saving Leftovers That Stay Crisp
Refrigerate poppers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping them crisp and fresh. Wrap individually in plastic wrap to maintain texture and prevent moisture buildup.
Store unbaked stuffed peppers in a freezer-safe container for maximum 1 month. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking, ensuring easy individual removal when needed.
Warm refrigerated or thawed poppers in a preheated 375F oven for 8-10 minutes. Restore crispiness by placing on a wire rack, allowing hot air circulation and preventing soggy bottoms.
Prepare cheese mixture and stuff peppers up to 24 hours in advance. Keep covered in the refrigerator, then bake just before serving to guarantee maximum flavor and optimal texture.
Fresno poppers bring fiery Mexican-inspired excitement to appetizer lovers with a spicy jalapeño twist. Crispy, golden-brown jalapeños stuffed with creamy cheese and perfectly seasoned promise a zesty flavor journey that sparks culinary passion.
Ingredients
Scale
10 fresno chili peppers
4 ounces (oz) cream cheese, softened
½ cup (120 ml) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons (tbsps) green onions, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
¼ teaspoon (tsp) smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper, to taste
½ cup (120 ml) panko breadcrumbs (optional for crunchy topping)
1 tablespoon (tbsp) olive oil (if using breadcrumbs)
Instructions
Preparation: Calibrate oven to 400F (200C) and prepare baking surface by lining with parchment paper or applying light grease.
Pepper Processing: Carefully halve Fresno peppers lengthwise, meticulously extracting seeds and inner membranes to create clean vessels for filling.
Cheese Fusion: Thoroughly blend cream cheese, cheddar, green onions, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper into a harmonious, creamy mixture that promises rich flavor complexity.
Stuffing Technique: Generously fill each pepper half with the seasoned cheese mixture, ensuring complete and even distribution across the pepper’s interior.
Optional Crisp Layer: If desiring additional texture, gently coat panko breadcrumbs with olive oil and delicately sprinkle over stuffed peppers to create a golden, crunchy topping.
Baking Process: Position stuffed peppers on prepared baking sheet and roast for 15-18 minutes, monitoring until peppers soften and cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden-brown surface.
Serving: Extract from oven, allow brief cooling period, and present while still warm for optimal taste and texture experience.
Notes
Choose firm, bright red Fresno peppers without blemishes for best flavor and texture.
Remove all seeds and membranes to reduce heat intensity, perfect for sensitive palates.
Blend cheese ingredients thoroughly to ensure consistent seasoning in each pepper bite.
Toast panko breadcrumbs slightly before sprinkling for extra golden, crunchy texture.
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.
Michael Thompson
Founder & Culinary Director
Expertise
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.