How to Make the Easiest Game Day Snack in Advance!
So Why Honey Jalapeño Poppers?
Jalapeño poppers are one of my husband’s favorite appetizers for football season or the Super Bowl and honestly, on some Game Days it’s all he asks for.
This sweet-on-salty twist takes the classic bacon-wrapped popper and adds a drizzle of honey that makes it unforgettable.
The balance of heat, creamy filling, smoky bacon, and sticky sweet topping is just chef’s kiss.
We’re a military family and you’ll notice Freedom’s Choice products in some of my ingredient shots because that’s what our commissary carries, and honestly, the prices are hard to beat!
And a quick warning before you get too comfortable with these little peppers, do not rub your eyes after handling jalapeños. Ask me how I know, lol.
Another quick tip: I don’t add salt to this recipe because the bacon already brings plenty of saltiness. Ok – let’s get to it!
First Things First – Equipment
Before you dive in, here’s what you’ll want ready on the counter. These tools make prep easier and clean-up quicker.
- Sharp paring knife – for halving peppers cleanly
- Long handled thin spoon (a sundae spoon works perfectly) – for de-seeding jalapeños
- Glass 9×13 Pyrex-style baking dish – sturdy, oven-safe, and easy to clean
- Plastic chopping board – makes jalapeño cleanup less of a headache, no expensive chopping board needed here!
- Small mixing bowl – for the filling
- Cup and spoons measurements – we love the little cherrie spoons!
- Plastic wrap (optional) – if you’re prepping these ahead of time
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Ingredients You’ll Need
- 5 large jalapeños, washed, halved, and de-seeded (stems left on if desired)
- 5 slices of bacon (not thick-cut, each sliced in half)
- ½ block cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese (shredded cheddar will work too)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 10 tsp runny honey (squeeze bottles work best)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
Step 2: Wash the peppers, slice them lengthwise, and de-seed.
I find a sundae spoon is the easiest tool for scooping seeds.
I leave stems on when I can because my husband likes holding them that way, but it’s fine if they fall off.
Step 3: In a small bowl, mix cream cheese, shredded Mexican cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Use your hands because it’s a thick mixture and a little tricky to combine with a spoon.
Step 4: Divide the cheese mixture into 10 portions.
Roll each portion between your palms to form small “cheese sausages.”
Step 5: Press each cheese roll into a pepper half.
Don’t overfill, the mixture puffs a little when baked.
Step 6: Slice your bacon pieces in half.
Step 7: Wrap each pepper with a half slice of bacon.
Place the fattier side of the bacon across the top front of the pepper for the best coverage.
Step 8: Arrange all bacon-wrapped peppers in a 9 x 13″ baking dish.
No extra oil needed, the bacon provides plenty.
Step 9: Optional: Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 48 hours.
This is my go-to move when prepping ahead for gameday.
Just let the peppers sit out for 30 minutes before baking.
Step 10: Right before baking, drizzle 1 tsp of honey over each pepper.
Step 11: Bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes, or until bacon is crispy to your liking. We prefer the full 25 minutes for that golden crunch.
Extra Tips
- These poppers are best served hot right from the dish.
- Pair them with wings, nachos, or sliders for the ultimate gameday spread.
- Not suitable for freezing, but you can prep them up to 48 hours ahead (step 9) and they still taste fresh.
Honey Bacon Jalapeño Poppers Recipe
Equipment
- Sharp paring knife for halving your peppers cleanly
- Long handled thin spoon a sundae spoon works perfectly for de-seeding jalapeños
- Glass 9×13 Pyrex-style baking dish sturdy, oven-safe, and easy to clean
- Plastic chopping board
- Small mixing bowl
- Cup and spoons measurements
- Plastic food wrap
Ingredients
- 5 large Jalapeño peppers the larger they are the easier they will be to fill.
- 5 slices of thin bacon, halved thick bacon won't crisp as well
- 1/2 block of cream cheese, softened 4oz
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend cheddar works well too
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 10 tsp runny honey squeezy bottles work best!
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
- Step 2: Wash the peppers, slice them lengthwise, and de-seed. I find a sundae spoon is the easiest tool for scooping seeds.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, mix cream cheese, shredded Mexican cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder. Use your hands because it’s a thick mixture and a little tricky to combine with a spoon.
- Step 4: Divide the cheese mixture into 10 portions. Roll each portion between your palms to form small “cheese sausages.”
- Step 5: Press each cheese roll into a pepper half. Don’t overfill, the mixture puffs a little when baked.
- Step 6: Slice your bacon pieces in half.
- Step 7: Wrap each pepper with a half slice of bacon. Place the fattier side of the bacon across the top front of the pepper for the best coverage.
- Step 8: Arrange all bacon-wrapped peppers in a 9×13 baking dish. No extra oil needed, the bacon provides plenty.
- Step 9 (OPTIONAL) : Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 48 hours. This is my go-to move when prepping ahead for gameday. Just let the peppers sit out for 30 minutes before baking.
- Step 10: Right before baking, drizzle 1 tsp of honey over each pepper.
- Step 11: Bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes, or until bacon is crispy to your liking. We prefer the full 25 minutes for that golden crunch. Serve immediately.
Notes
Serving Suggestions
We usually set these right on the coffee table in the baking dish, alongside hot chicken wings, spicy nachos, and sausage – queso dip.
The Takeaway
Honey jalapeño poppers are the ultimate gameday appetizer – sweet, salty, creamy, spicy, and easy to prep ahead.
They’re proof that you don’t need a gourmet kitchen to make crowd-pleasing food.
Just a few ingredients, a baking dish, and you’ll have a tray of addictive bites that disappear faster than you can serve them!
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Last update on 2025-11-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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