Get Spooky with Flavor: Easy Chorizo Jalapeño Mummy Poppers – Your Ultimate Halloween Snack!
Prepare for a delightfully spooky and incredibly festive experience with these Chorizo Jalapeño Mummy Poppers! This captivating Halloween appetizer features a simple yet incredibly flavorful filling, boasting smoky heat from chorizo and a creamy, cheesy core. The iconic crescent roll wrapping transforms each popper into an adorable, spooky mummy, making them a centerpiece for any Halloween celebration. Whether you’re hosting a grand gathering or enjoying a cozy family night, these poppers are sure to be a hit. This recipe serves 10 to 12 ghoulish guests, but it’s easily halved for a smaller crowd.
While I don’t always jump on every festive trend for Halloween, the adorable mummy poppers concept is one I’ve truly embraced! The charming presentation combined with the irresistible flavor makes them a standout. I first encountered this delightful idea while collaborating with a client, and these little edible mummies were simply too cute to omit from the background of our Halloween cocktail photoshoot. Their spooky yet fun aesthetic immediately won me over.
Life, as it often does, threw a few curveballs – the pandemic arrived, followed by pregnancy. As a result, this fantastic recipe regrettably found its way into my “to-make later” pile for a little longer than intended. However, this year, with a renewed sense of confidence and excitement for the holiday season (thank you, science!), I knew it was time to bring these Chorizo Jalapeño Mummy Poppers back to life. They are far too entertaining and utterly delicious not to be a part of any Halloween spread, and the best part? They are surprisingly simple to create!
The only step that genuinely requires a bit of time and tender loving care is meticulously wrapping each filled jalapeño half to achieve that iconic, charming mummy appearance. But trust me, the effort is well worth it for the smiles and compliments you’ll receive! To make your Halloween party prep even smoother, you can tackle much of the work ahead of time. I frequently prepare the savory chorizo and cheese filling a day or two in advance, storing it safely in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Similarly, you can seed and halve your jalapeños, keeping them fresh in a large resealable bag in the fridge. This strategic planning ensures that on the day of your event, all you need to do is assemble, wrap, and bake, leaving you more time to enjoy the festivities!
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The Eyes Have It: Candy vs. Savory
Undoubtedly, one of the most frequently asked questions about these mummy poppers revolves around their adorable, yet often debated, eyeballs! The ones you see gracing the mummies in my photos are made from candy. This choice can be a delightful surprise for some, as the sweet burst of flavor from the candy perfectly complements the smoky, savory, and spicy kick of the chorizo and jalapeño filling. It’s a unique sweet-and-savory combination that many find irresistible, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this festive snack.
However, I’ve also heard from a segment of my audience that this sweet-savory pairing isn’t quite their cup of tea, and that’s perfectly fine! For those who prefer a purely savory experience, there’s an easy solution: simply suggest to your guests that they can pick off the candy eyes before indulging. If you’re hosting a party and prefer to avoid any potential dietary conflicts or simply want a fully savory option, an excellent alternative is to use thinly sliced black olives for the eyeballs. Black olives offer a mild, briny flavor that beautifully complements the rich, spicy notes of the poppers, ensuring the savory profile remains uninterrupted while still maintaining the iconic spooky aesthetic. This thoughtful customization ensures everyone can enjoy these festive bites exactly how they like them.
If you’re a true aficionado of all things jalapeño popper, you absolutely must try our incredibly gooey and wonderfully spicy jalapeño popper dip. It’s another fantastic way to enjoy those beloved flavors!
Other Spooktacular Party Appetizers
Looking to round out your Halloween party spread with more crowd-pleasing bites? Here are some other scrumptious appetizer recipes that are perfect for any gathering, spooky or otherwise:
- Quick Carne Asada Nachos: Loaded with tender steak and cheese, these are always a hit!
- Dry Rub Wings: Crispy, flavorful, and customizable to your spice preference.
- BBQ Fried Mac N Cheese Balls: Indulgent, cheesy, and utterly irresistible.
- Cheesy BBQ Chicken Pull Apart Sliders: Easy to share and packed with tangy, savory goodness.
Essential Tools for Your Spooky Kitchen
To ensure your Chorizo Jalapeño Mummy Poppers come out perfectly, having the right tools on hand can make all the difference. Here’s what you’ll need to make the preparation process smooth and efficient:
- Chef’s Knife and Cutting Board: You’ll need your favorite sharp chef’s knife and a sturdy cutting board to carefully halve and prepare the jalapeños. A good knife makes quick work of this task and ensures clean cuts.
- Spoon for Seeding: To efficiently remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeños – which is where most of the heat resides – a simple spoon works wonders. It allows you to scoop out the insides without too much fuss, helping to control the spice level and create a perfect cavity for the filling.
- Silicone Baking Mat or Parchment Paper: A silicone baking mat (or high-quality parchment paper) placed on a half sheet baking pan is absolutely essential. This non-stick surface ensures that your beautifully wrapped mummy poppers don’t stick to the pan, making for easy removal and cleanup. Plus, it promotes even baking and helps achieve that desirable golden-brown crust.
- Large Mixing Bowl: For combining all the delicious ingredients for your chorizo and cheese filling.
- Candy Eyeballs (Optional): Finally, to achieve that truly spooky and adorable mummy look, grab some candy eyeballs! These edible decorations are widely available and instantly bring your poppers to life.
Before you dive in, if you’re feeling unsure about how to properly seed a jalapeño, check out my comprehensive guide! It’s packed with all my top tips and tricks to make this step super easy and safe.
Let’s Make Delicious Chorizo Jalapeño Mummy Poppers!
Now that we’ve covered the essentials and prepped our mise en place, let’s get down to the fun part: crafting these incredible Chorizo Jalapeño Mummy Poppers. Follow these detailed steps to ensure perfectly spooky and delicious results every time!
Step 1: Prepare the Creamy Chorizo Filling
The heart of these mummy poppers is a rich, spicy, and incredibly satisfying filling. In a large mixing bowl, combine your cooked and crumbled Mexican chorizo (ensure it’s well-drained of any excess grease), shredded sharp cheddar cheese, shredded Gouda cheese (for extra creaminess and a subtle nutty flavor), finely chopped red onion, one beaten egg (this acts as a binder), softened cream cheese, tangy sour cream, your favorite hot sauce (I highly recommend Cholula for its balanced heat and flavor), salt, and a dash of black pepper. Stir all these ingredients together thoroughly until they are well combined and form a cohesive, flavorful mixture. Make sure there are no streaks of unmixed cream cheese, as this ensures every bite is uniformly delicious.
Step 2: Fill the Jalapeños to Perfection
With your jalapeños halved and seeded, it’s time to generously fill each cavity with the prepared chorizo and cheese mixture. Don’t be shy here – you want each popper to be packed full of flavor! Use the back of a spoon to firmly pack the filling into each jalapeño half, ensuring it’s completely filled and the top is smoothed over. This not only maximizes the deliciousness but also creates a stable base for your crescent roll “mummy” wrap. Aim for a slightly mounded top, but make sure it’s compact enough not to spill out during baking. Remember, wearing gloves while handling jalapeños is always a good idea to protect your hands from the capsaicin, which can cause irritation.
Step 3: Wrap Your Mummies with Care
This is where the magic happens and your poppers transform into adorable mummies! Unroll your package of refrigerated crescent roll dough and, using a knife or pizza cutter, cut it into long, thin strips, roughly 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch wide. These strips will be your mummy bandages. Carefully take one filled jalapeño half and begin wrapping the dough strips around it in a crisscross or haphazard pattern, mimicking bandages. Be sure to leave a small gap near the top, which will serve as the “face” where the mummy’s eyes will peek out. You’ll typically use about 2 to 3 strips per jalapeño, depending on their size and how tightly you wrap them. Once wrapped, gently brush the tops of the dough with beaten egg – this will give your mummies a beautiful golden-brown color and a lovely sheen as they bake. Carefully place your wrapped poppers onto your prepared baking sheet.
Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Bubbly
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Once hot, place your baking sheet with the mummy poppers into the oven. Bake for approximately 10 to 14 minutes, or until the crescent roll dough is beautifully browned and flaky, and the cheesy chorizo filling is visibly bubbling and hot. Keep a close eye on them to prevent over-browning. Once baked to perfection, carefully remove the poppers from the oven. While they are still warm, gently press your chosen “eyeballs” (candy or black olive slices) into the exposed cheese in the area you left open. The residual heat will help them adhere. Serve these spooky and delicious treats immediately for the best flavor and texture! They’re fantastic warm, making the cheese wonderfully gooey.
Explore More Halloween Recipes!
Feeling inspired for more Halloween fun? Don’t stop here! Be sure to check out my dedicated Halloween recipes page for a cauldron full of ideas, from other festive appetizers to delightful desserts and spooky sips that will make your celebration unforgettable!
Frequently Asked Questions About Mummy Poppers
Here are answers to some common questions you might have about making these delightful Chorizo Jalapeño Mummy Poppers:
Where Can I Buy Candy Eyeballs?
Candy eyeballs are widely available, especially around Halloween! I typically order mine from Amazon – these candy eyeballs are my go-to choice. You can also easily find the popular Wilton brand at most craft stores like Michael’s, or at major grocery stores and superstores in their baking or seasonal aisles. Keep an eye out in the weeks leading up to Halloween!
Can I Use a Savory Alternative for the Eyeballs?
Absolutely! I understand that the sweet and savory combination of candy eyeballs with spicy poppers isn’t for everyone. If you prefer a purely savory profile without sacrificing the fun aesthetic, simply use thinly sliced black olives. Their mild, briny flavor pairs wonderfully with the chorizo and cheese, offering a delicious and completely edible alternative that maintains the mummy’s “eyes.”
How Far in Advance Can I Prepare These Mummy Poppers?
These mummy poppers are fantastic for make-ahead convenience! You can prepare the chorizo and cheese filling up to 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Similarly, the jalapeños can be stemmed, halved, and seeded up to 2 days ahead and kept in a large resealable bag in the fridge. On the day of your event, all you’ll need to do is assemble, wrap, and bake, saving you valuable time and stress.
Can I Make These Mummy Poppers Vegetarian?
Yes, absolutely! To make a delicious vegetarian version, simply substitute the Mexican chorizo with a plant-based chorizo alternative or a crumbled and seasoned vegetarian sausage. You could also create a hearty vegetarian filling using sautéed mushrooms, black beans, corn, and additional spices to mimic the savory depth of chorizo. Ensure all other ingredients remain vegetarian-friendly.
How Can I Adjust the Spice Level?
The spice level is easily customizable! For less heat, make sure to thoroughly remove all seeds and white membranes from the jalapeños, as these contain most of the capsaicin. You can also opt for a milder hot sauce or reduce the amount you add to the filling. For more heat, leave a few seeds in some of the jalapeños or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the filling mixture. Just be sure to label the extra-spicy ones if serving to a crowd!
If you need a fantastic main dish to follow up these spooky mummy poppers, be sure to check out these creative mummified sirloin wellingtons! And don’t forget the festive libation – whip up a ghostly and delicious skeleton key Halloween cocktail to complete your holiday spread.
Chorizo Jalapeño Mummy Poppers
15 minutes
14 minutes
29 minutes
Equipment
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Utility Cutting Board
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Shun Chef’s Knife
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Silicone Baking Mat Sheets
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Half Sheet Pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup Mexican chorizo cooked and crumbled
- 4 oz shredded sharp cheddar about 1 cup
- 4 oz shredded gouda
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 3 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce I used Cholula
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 12 large jalapeno peppers stemmed, seeded and halved
- 1 package refrigerated crescent rolls
- 2 eggs beaten
- Candy eyeballs can be purchased at Michael’s or on Amazon
Instructions
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Preheat oven 400° F. Line a large baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
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Add chorizo, shredded cheeses, red onion, egg, cream cheese, sour cream, hot sauce, salt, and pepper to a large bowl. Stir together until well combined.
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Fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture. Set aside.
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Cut the crescent roll dough into long strips, about 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch wide. Use these strips to wrap each jalapeño with dough, leaving a space close to the top for eyes. You will use about 1 to 2 strips per jalapeño. Brush the dough with beaten egg and place on baking sheet.
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Bake in oven for 10-14 minutes, until bubbling and golden brown. Remove from the oven and press the eyes into the cheese where the opening is. Serve immediately.
Notes