Baked Jalapeno Poppers
These poppers are a healthy alternative to the comfort food, happy-hour favorite.
Servings: 6 servings (4 per serving)
Ingredients
BREADCRUMBS:
- 4 slices whole wheat sandwich bread
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- pinch of cayenne pepper
POPPERS:
- ⅓ cup whipped cream cheese
- ⅓ cup part-skim ricotta cheese
- ½ cup (2 ounces) packed grated Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- 12 medium fresh jalapeño peppers (halved lengthwise, seeded and de-veined)
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
PREPARE THE BREADCRUMBS:
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Place the bread in a food processor and process until fine crumbs form, 25 to 30 seconds. Place the crumbs on a baking sheet, spreading them evenly. Bake until golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- On a plate, combine the cooled breadcrumbs with the smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper.
PREPARE THE POPPERS:
- Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray. In a small bowl, stir together the cheeses and parsley. Fill each jalapeño half with 2 teaspoons of the cheese mixture.
- On a plate, combine the flour, salt, and pepper. In a small bowl, beat together the egg and the water to combine.
- Dip each jalapeño half in the flour, shaking off the excess, then in the egg wash, and finally in the bread crumb mixture, shaking off the excess.
- Place the coated jalapeños, cut-side-up, onto the prepared baking sheet and spray lightly to coat with cooking spray. Bake until golden brown and crisp and the cheese has melted, about 30 minutes.
Notes
- If preparing this recipe as GLUTEN- FREE, just be sure to use GF bread crumbs and a GF flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving (4 poppers) | Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 391mg | Potassium: 198mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1082IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 150mg | Iron: 1mg