I was never a jalapeno popper person before. I know they are a super popular appetizer and party food. You can even get them at Jack in the Box! But, they never appealed to me before. As the years go by, though, I become more tolerant and desirous of spicy food. I feel like my taste buds are always changing (I can appreciate cilantro now!) and all of a sudden the other day, I had a hankerin’ for a bacon wrapped jalapeno popper!
My dilemma was this: while I did, in fact, want a bacon wrapped jalapeno popper, I knew that I would regret eating them once I was through because of how fattening they are. Solution: make the ultimate healthy bacon wrapped jalapeno popper that would not just satisfy my craving in a “good for me” way, they would taste good to everyone else who had them, too, whether or not they were trying to eat well! Challenge accepted.
I know you’re looking at the turkey bacon and saying, “Come on, Vanessa. This is not real bacon. It’s not going to be as good,” but just hear me out. When was the last time you had turkey bacon? You probably can’t even remember, if you’ve ever had it at all! This stuff is pretty good. I’m all for real bacon, but when you want to cut back a little, go ahead and have some turkey bacon!
My husband, who is is a lover of bacon and all things delicious, said that they are so good they were an actual substitute for the traditional bacon wrapped jalapeno popper, and then he said that he thought he liked them BETTER because they are lighter and less greasy, so he could eat more of them. Challenge smashed.
I cut my bacon all wrong, so when it cooked it curled up and started to come off of the cheesy stuffed jalapeno. If I had cut it a different way, it would have been perfect and stayed on the jalapenos very nicely and neatly. See the recipe for specific instructions on how to cut your bacon!
So delicious and perfect for your next party. I dare you to take the challenge and serve these healthy turkey bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers at your next get together in lieu of the traditional ones. Then come back and let me know how much everyone loved them!
Yields 20 poppers
This healthier take on bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers is delicious and still just as cheesy!
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Ingredients
- 8-10 medium jalapenos
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup small curd cottage cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
- 1 Tablespoon minced chives
- 1/4 Teaspoon ground Coriander
- 1/2 Teaspoon granulated Garlic
- 1/4 Teaspoon salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 package turkey bacon
Instructions
- Turn your broiler on.
- Use gloves for this step, or makes sure to wash your hands thoroughly when you are done. Cut each of the jalapenos in half and remove seeds and ribs. Place them cut side down on a baking sheet and broil for 5 minutes until the skins just start to bubble. Remove and set aside to cool.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- While the jalapenos are cooling, cut each piece of turkey bacon in half width wise, so that you have two pieces that are the same length as the original, just half the width. Set aside.
- Mix all the ingredients (minus jalapenos) together in a bowl. The mixture will not be very wet, which is good.
- Stuff each jalapeno half with some of the filling. Don't over fill.
- Wrap a strip of turkey bacon around each stuffed jalapeno. Secure with toothpicks if you wish, or make sure the ends are tucked underneath the jalapeno when you put it on the baking sheet.
- Bake the jalapeno poppers for 10-12 minutes. The bacon should start to crisp and the filling should be melty and just beginning to ooze out a bit. Don't worry, the filling will firm up a little after you take it out of the oven, but will remain ooey and gooey.
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