Description
Crispy jalapeno cheddar bites deliver a spicy, cheesy appetizer that combines zesty peppers with sharp cheddar. Guests will crave these irresistible poppers perfect for game day or casual entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) milk
- 1 cup (240 ml) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 large fresh jalapeño pepper
- ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cheese release and minimal cleanup.
- Jalapeño Processing: Carefully deseed and finely chop jalapeños to control spice intensity while preserving their vibrant pepper essence.
- Cheese Arrangement: Distribute uniform mounds of shredded cheddar across the prepared baking surface, maintaining strategic spacing to allow proper melting and crisp formation.
- Flavor Integration: Gently flatten each cheese cluster and crown with a precisely positioned jalapeño slice, creating a harmonious flavor profile.
- Baking Transformation: Bake in the preheated oven until cheese edges turn golden and develop delicate, lacy patterns with bubbling caramelized surfaces.
- Cooling and Serving: Allow cheese crisps to stabilize for several minutes, then delicately transfer to a serving platter using a thin spatula, preserving their intricate texture and ensuring maximum enjoyment.
Notes
- Control Spice Intensity: Remove jalapeño seeds completely to reduce heat while preserving the pepper’s distinctive flavor, allowing everyone to enjoy without overwhelming spiciness.
- Perfect Cheese Distribution: Space cheese mounds evenly on parchment paper to ensure uniform melting and crispy edges, preventing clumping or uneven cooking.
- Achieve Crispy Texture: Let cheese bites rest after baking for a few minutes, which helps them stabilize and develop a satisfying crunch that holds together.
- Precise Temperature Matters: Maintain exactly 350°F to transform cheese into golden, lacy crisps without burning, creating a professional-looking appetizer that impresses guests.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg