Shelly's Recipe

BAKED BACON JALAPENO POPPERS

Category: Hot

About 15 jalapenos
1 egg + 1 egg white (you can also use eggbeaters or all egg whites)

Cheesy filling:
5 oz. light cream cheese
1 - 2 T. blue cheese crumbles
1/3 c. chopped onion
1/3 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 - 2 T. bacon crumbles

Breading:
1/2 c. bread crumbs (whole grain bread is fine! I used crumbs from my dad’s whole wheat yogurt bread)
1/2 c. cheese cracker crumbs
1/2 t. Red Robin Seasoning or seasoning salt
1/4 t. onion powder
1/4 t. garlic powder

You probably want to make the dip first so it has time for the flavors to blend. So scroll down to the end of this post to whip up the dip.

Preheat oven to 350. Spray a baking pan with cooking spray.

Cut jalapenos in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and membrane. You may want to wear gloves to protect your hands, eyes and other body parts from the spicy jalapeno juice.

Combine cheesy filling ingredients in a bowl until well mixed.

Using a spoon or knife, fill the halved jalapenos with the cheesy filling.

In a separate bowl, combine breading ingredients until well mixed. In another bowl, whisk the eggs & egg white until frothy. Dip each cheese-filled jalapeno half in the egg, then set it in the breading and cover. As you finish them, set each jalapeno on a cooking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. When you’ve finished breading all the jalapenos, spray them with cooking spray. Bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes, until golden. Serve with dip. (These can be made ahead of time, kept in the fridge until serving time, then reheated briefly in a 350 degree oven.)

Garlicky Basil Buttermilk Ranch Dip
1/3 c. light mayonnaise
1/3 c. buttermilk
1/4 c. Greek yogurt
2 big fresh cloves of garlic
A handful of fresh basil leaves
1/4 teaspoon sugar
Several fresh parsley leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
A few fresh dill twigs or 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper

Whir all the ingredients in a handy chopper or food processor until smooth. Adjust seasonings to taste.