Ultimate Game Day Appetizer: Savory Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños
For an easy tailgating appetizer that packs in the flavor, reach for some Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños. The smoky bacon wrapped around goat cheese stuffed spicy peppers is an explosion of savory, indulgent heat to help you cheer on your home team! Throw them on the grill or bake them up at home – either way, you’ve got your next tailgating party covered.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Cypress Grove! While I was compensated and given product in exchange for this post, as always, all opinions and the recipe are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that support Cake ‘n Knife!
As the leaves begin to hint at their autumn transformation, a different kind of excitement fills the air: it’s almost September, and that means one thing for many of us – tailgating season is just around the corner! While some eagerly await pumpkin-spiced everything, my heart beats faster for the thrill of game day, the camaraderie of fellow fans, and, of course, the incredible food that defines this cherished time of year. To kick off the festivities and give you a fantastic recipe to try out over the upcoming Labor Day weekend, I’m thrilled to share an appetizer that consistently steals the show: Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños.
The Quintessential Tailgating Appetizer
There’s something inherently perfect about bacon-wrapped jalapeños for tailgating. They’re handheld, packed with flavor, and offer a fantastic balance of heat, creaminess, and smoky goodness. Imagine biting into a crispy, savory piece of bacon, followed by the gentle crunch of a perfectly cooked jalapeño, which then gives way to a creamy, tangy goat cheese filling. It’s a symphony of textures and tastes that awakens your palate and prepares you for an afternoon of cheering on your team. These poppers are not just food; they’re an experience, a touchdown for your taste buds.
Whether you’re firing up the grill in the stadium parking lot or baking them to perfection in your home oven before heading out, these stuffed jalapeños are incredibly versatile and easy to prepare. They’re designed to be a crowd-pleaser, ensuring that your tailgating spread is legendary. Forget boring chips and dips; these bacon-wrapped delights elevate your game day snack game to an entirely new level.
Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I will receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting Cake ‘n Knife!
The Secret Ingredient: Premium Goat Cheese
You know by now my unwavering devotion to all things cheese, especially goat cheese. It’s an ingredient that can transform a dish from good to extraordinary. Remember that waffle fry poutine I whipped up? That was just one example of my love affair with creamy, tangy goodness. When it comes to goat cheese, there’s one brand that consistently captures my heart and palate, a brand whose quality and flavor are simply unparalleled. Can you guess which one it is?
You guessed it! It’s Cypress Grove cheeses! Specifically, their Humboldt Fog. This soft-ripened goat cheese has been a staple in my kitchen for years, ever since I truly delved into the world of cooking and recipe development. For a long time, Humboldt Fog was a cherished indulgence, a special treat savored on toast or crackers. Its unique appearance, with that striking ribbon of edible vegetable ash, always made it feel too precious for cooking. But oh, how wrong I was!
Humboldt Fog is incredibly versatile, and it truly shines in cooked dishes like these jalapeño poppers. Its creamy texture and fresh, slightly herbaceous notes are the perfect counterpoint to the heat of the jalapeño and the salty smokiness of the bacon. When it melts, it becomes wonderfully gooey, creating a luxurious filling that elevates the entire appetizer. The complexity of this goat cheese ensures that each bite is not just spicy, but also rich, tangy, and deeply satisfying. It transforms a simple appetizer into a gourmet experience.
Crafting the Perfect Popper: Preparation Tips
Making these Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños is surprisingly straightforward, but a few tips can ensure they turn out absolutely perfect every time.
- Jalapeño Selection and Preparation: Choose firm, bright green jalapeños. To manage the heat level, make sure to wear gloves when halving and seeding them. The seeds and white membrane (pith) contain most of the capsaicin, which is responsible for the spice. Removing them thoroughly will result in a milder popper, while leaving some seeds in will crank up the heat. Always leave the stems on – they make a convenient handle!
- The Creamy Filling: The combination of Humboldt Fog goat cheese and cream cheese creates a sublime filling. The goat cheese brings its signature tang and depth, while the cream cheese adds an extra layer of richness and helps bind everything together. Minced garlic, salt, and pepper round out the flavors, creating a harmonious blend that complements the peppers and bacon beautifully. Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Bacon Wrapping: Use good quality bacon, but not overly thick-cut, as it can take longer to crisp. Half a slice of bacon per jalapeño half is usually perfect. Wrap it snugly around the stuffed pepper, ensuring both ends are secured with a toothpick. This prevents the bacon from unraveling during cooking and helps hold the delicious cheese filling in place.
Cooking Methods: Oven Baked vs. Grilled
Whether you’re cooking indoors or braving the elements at the tailgate, these poppers are delicious either way. Each method offers a slightly different, yet equally delightful, result:
- Oven Baking: This is the easiest and most consistent method. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange the stuffed and wrapped jalapeños on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until the bacon is beautifully crisp and golden brown, and the cheese filling is hot and gooey. The indirect heat of the oven ensures even cooking and perfectly rendered bacon.
- Grilling: For that authentic tailgating experience and an extra layer of smoky, charred flavor, throw these on the grill! Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the jalapeños directly on the grates or in a grill basket to prevent them from falling through. Grill for about 15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the bacon is crispy and the jalapeños are tender with a slight char. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning, especially if using an open flame. The smoky char from the grill adds a fantastic depth of flavor that complements the bacon and goat cheese perfectly.
Regardless of your cooking method, the result is a culinary “kaleidoscope of flavor.” Yes, I said it – that’s how seriously delicious and captivating this recipe is. Each bite is a harmonious blend of smoky, spicy, creamy, and savory notes that will have everyone reaching for more. Pair it with a big batch of refreshing pomegranate negroni cocktails for the ultimate game day spread.
Tailgating Success: Make Ahead & Serving Suggestions
These Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños are fantastic because they can be prepped ahead of time, making game day less stressful. Assemble them up to 24 hours in advance, store them on a baking sheet covered loosely with plastic wrap in the refrigerator, and then simply pop them in the oven or on the grill when you’re ready to cook. This makes them an ideal choice for busy tailgating mornings.
When serving, allow them to cool for a few minutes after cooking, as the cheese will be incredibly hot. Arrange them on a platter for easy grabbing, or serve them warm directly from the grill. For an extra flourish, you can garnish them with a sprinkle of fresh chopped chives or cilantro. They are delicious on their own, but also complement a wider tailgating spread that might include sliders, wings, or a hearty chili.
table of contents
Toggle
This Recipe’s Must-Haves
- To truly make this recipe shine, you absolutely need to get your hands on Humboldt Fog cheese from Cypress Grove! Its unique flavor and texture are what make this dish exceptional.
- An X-Chef Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls Set is perfect for easily combining the creamy cheese stuffing.
- For baking, a reliable Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker’s Half Sheet will ensure your bacon crisps beautifully. If you prefer grilling for that extra char, a Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill is a fantastic choice to infuse those smoky flavors.
Don’t forget to pin this Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños recipe for your next gathering!
Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños
ingredients
- 12 slices of bacon
- 10 jalapeños halved and seeded (leave the stems on!)
- 1 cup Humboldt Fog cheese crumbled
- 6 oz cream cheese room temp
- 1 clove garlic minced
- Pinch of salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
instructions
-
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
-
In a medium bowl, mix together Cypress Grove’s Humboldt Fog cheese, cream cheese, garlic, salt and pepper.
-
Fill the jalapeño halves with the cheese mixture, making sure to fill them to the top. Wrap each stuffed jalapeño with half a slice of bacon, securing both ends with toothpicks.
-
Add stuffed jalapeños to a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
-
Bake for 25 minutes, until the bacon is cooked through and crispy. You can also grill these jalapeños for 15 minutes for extra charred flavor!