Dairy-Free Jalapeno Poppers

Dairy-Free Jalapeno Poppers - This easy dish makes a great snack at a BBQ, tailgate, or holiday party. Made with dairy-free cream cheese and crispy bacon, these poppers are Whole30, Paleo, and Keto.

On my Facebook memories, I had a post pop up that said this was the last Saturday of the year without football. We are huge college football fans in our house. Specifically Georgia Bulldog fans! Saturday mornings during football season are spent watching College Gameday and the afternoon are full of football and snacks. It is my favorite time of year! I'm not sure how this football season will pan out, but luckily, these jalapeno poppers are great for any occasion. BBQ, random weeknights, holiday parties, they're perfect for them all.

Ingredients needed for jalapeno poppers

With just five simple ingredients, you'll have a dish that will disappear in no time. {Random fact, I ate all these by myself after taking the photos!} When I started cutting back on dairy five years ago, there were not a lot of replacement options. There were a few, but they were pretty gross. Now, the grocery stores are full of alternatives from coconut to nut milk cheese. My personal favorite is Kite Hills Cream Cheese. The texture is exactly like regular cream cheese. It's available in the cream cheese section of the grocery store and comes in several different flavors. I want to try making these with the chive version in the future.

To make the Dairy-Free Jalapeno Poppers you'll need:

• Jalapenos - Halved with seeds and ribs removed
• Bacon - check to make sure ingredients are compliant if Whole30 or Paleo
• Garlic - Fresh or powder
• Green Onions
• Dairy-free Cream Cheese {Regular cream cheese works in this recipe as well}

For equipment, I highly recommend wearing gloves! I wear contacts and can't touch a jalapeno without burning my eyes.

How to make dairy-free jalapeno poppers

To start, remove the cream cheese from the refrigerator a few minutes before beginning to allow it to soften slightly. While wearing gloves, slice the jalapenos in half and remove the stem, seeds, and ribs. All the heat in the pepper is in the seeds and ribs. If you like your food on the spicier side, you can leave some of this behind. If you prefer a milder pepper, remove the seeds and ribs by scraping the inside of the jalapeno with a spoon or your fingers {see why the gloves are important?}.

Slice the bacon strips in half, chop the green onions, and finely mince the garlic.

Place the cream cheese in a bowl and add the garlic and green onions. Mix to combine and taste. Season with salt and pepper as needed. Remember, the bacon will add extra saltiness to the dish.

Spoon the cream cheese mixture into the jalapenos and wrap with a slice of bacon. Fold the ends of the bacon under the jalapeno and place it on a piece of foil, parchment paper, and silicone mat. Continue until all the jalapenos are stuffed and wrapped.

How to cook

Jalapeno poppers can be made in the oven, on the grill, or in an air fryer. It's really up to you how you want to cook them.

Side Note: Any cut of bacon will work for this recipe, but the cooking times will vary slightly depending on the thickens. Thicker bacon will take longer to crisp. Cook until the bacon reaches the desired crispiness for you and your family.

Oven - Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the jalapeno poppers in the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until the jalapeno is soft and the bacon is crispy.

Air Fryer - Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees for 2-3 minutes. Place the jalapeno poppers in the basket, in a single layer, and cook for 15 minutes.

Grill - Preheat the grill to high heat. Place the poppers on a grill mat or foil directly over the flame, and cook with the lid closed for 30 minutes or until the bacon is crispy.

Quick Tips for cooking bacon

To reduce cooking time and render some of the fat from the poppers, you can precook the bacon. Place strips of bacon on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Cook the bacon for 5 minutes. Remove and place on a paper towel to drain and cool. Once cool enough to touch, you can wrap the jalapeno poppers.

If cooked for too long, the bacon will become crispy and break when wrapped around the jalapeno.

Whole30, Paleo, and Keto Jalapeno Poppers

Whole30 and Paleo - Nut cheese is allowed as part of the Whole30 program. Check the label to ensure all the ingredients are compliant. Also, make sure the bacon does not include sugar. Applegate No Sugar bacon is the brand I usually purchase.

Keto or Other- If following a Keto diet or no dietary restrictions, regular cream cheese can be used in place of the nut cheese.

What to Serve with Dairy-Free Jalapeno Poppers

Below are two simple menu ideas to serve with the jalapeno poppers. Serve as part of a snack spread at a gathering or a starter for a BBQ.

Gathering or Tailgate Menu Ideas:

• Air Fryer Curry Chicken Wings
• Whole30 Deviled Eggs
• Air Fryer Fried Okra
• Dairy-Free Tzatziki Sauce with Veggie Tray

BBQ Menu Ideas:

• Pork Ribs on a Gas Grill or Spatchcock Chicken
• Paleo Broccoli Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
• Grilled Green Beans
• Watermelon Blueberry and Mint Salad

Make-Ahead and Storage

The jalapeno peppers can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook. They can also be frozen and cooked directly from the freezer.

If you have any leftovers, we never do, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave for 1 minute or in the air fryer or oven at 400 degrees until the bacon is crispy. The oven or air fryer is the best option for reheating as the bacon will become soggy in the refrigerator.

Like this recipe? Don't forget to Pin it! Also, check out our Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube Channel for cooking demos and more. Plus you can also see what I am pinning on Pinterest for more Whole30 and Paleo recipe ideas!

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