Description
These Jalapeño Popper Bagels combine the spicy kick of fresh jalapeños with creamy cheese and crispy bacon, baked onto toasted bagels for a deliciously savory snack or breakfast. Cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses meld perfectly with the garlic and smoky bacon in a warm, melty topping that’s garnished with fresh jalapeño slices for an extra burst of heat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 jalapeños, minced
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 5 slices bacon, cooked crispy and chopped
Bagels and Garnish
- 3 bagels, halved
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (for topping)
- 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and cook bacon: Preheat your oven to 350ºF. While it heats, cook the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove from skillet, drain on paper towels, then chop into small pieces.
- Prepare the cream cheese mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded white cheddar, half of the shredded Monterey Jack, minced jalapeños, garlic powder, chopped bacon, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Assemble the bagels: Spread a generous amount of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cut sides of each bagel half. Sprinkle the remaining Monterey Jack cheese on top of the cream cheese layer.
- Bake: Place the assembled bagels on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes until the cheese has melted and the bagels are warmed through.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the bagels from the oven and top each with thinly sliced jalapeño rings for a fresh, spicy garnish. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- You can adjust the number of jalapeños based on desired spiciness.
- For a milder version, remove seeds and membranes from jalapeños before mincing.
- Use day-old bagels for better texture when baked.
- Leftover bagels can be reheated in the oven to restore the melty cheese texture.
- Substitute bacon with turkey bacon for a leaner option.
