Description
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.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg