Jalapeno Popper Quesadillas Recipe
Crispy and creamy Jalapeno Popper Quesadillas bring together the smoky flavor of bacon, spicy jalapenos, and a cheesy cream cheese blend all grilled inside warm flour tortillas. Perfect as a flavorful appetizer or a satisfying snack, these quesadillas offer a delightful combination of textures and bold tastes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 quesadillas (serves 2-4) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 large flour tortillas (burrito size)
- 4 strips bacon
- 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced
- 4 ounces (½ block) cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat skillet and cook bacon. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add bacon strips and cook until they are almost crispy, about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare cream cheese filling. While bacon cooks, combine the cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Stir until well mixed and creamy.
- Cook diced jalapenos. In the last 2-3 minutes of bacon cooking, add the diced jalapenos to the skillet with the bacon and cook until slightly softened.
- Drain bacon and mix into cheese filling. Remove bacon and jalapenos from skillet. Place bacon on paper towel to drain excess grease. When cooled enough to handle, roughly chop the bacon and add it along with the cooked jalapenos to the cream cheese mixture. Mix everything together evenly.
- Assemble quesadilla. Return the skillet to medium heat (no need to clean). Place one tortilla flat on the skillet. Evenly spread about half of the cream cheese and jalapeno bacon mixture over the tortilla.
- Fold and cook quesadilla. Fold the tortilla in half over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the tortilla is golden brown and crispy and the cheese filling is warm and melted. Repeat this process for the second tortilla with the remaining filling.
- Serve warm. Remove from skillet, slice into wedges if desired, and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can adjust the number of jalapenos to control the spice level.
- Using room temperature cream cheese makes it easier to blend with other ingredients.
- For a crispier quesadilla, press down gently with a spatula while cooking.
- Substitute turkey bacon for a leaner option.
- Serve with salsa or sour cream for added flavor.
Keywords: Jalapeno Popper Quesadillas, Bacon Quesadilla, Spicy Cheese Quesadilla, Appetizer, Snack, Mexican-Inspired
