Creamy Corn and Cream Cheese Stuffed Jalapenos: The Ultimate Game Day Appetizer
Looking for the perfect game day snack or an easy appetizer to impress your guests? These Corn and Cream Cheese Stuffed Jalapenos are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! Combining the mild heat of fresh jalapeños with a rich, creamy, and slightly sweet corn and cheese filling, these baked poppers are an absolute delight. They’re simple to prepare, incredibly flavorful, and perfectly suited for parties, football season gatherings, or any occasion where delicious finger foods are desired. This vegetarian recipe has become a beloved favorite among readers and friends alike – a testament to its irresistible taste and ease.
Why These Cream Cheese Stuffed Jalapenos Are a Must-Try
This delightful recipe for easy Cream Cheese Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers first made its appearance back in July 2011, and it has remained a staple in my kitchen ever since. Over the years, I’ve prepared these baked stuffed jalapeños countless times for various get-togethers, potlucks, and game day celebrations. The feedback is consistently enthusiastic! My friend Heidi, for instance, serves them as a go-to appetizer at all her parties and often brings them along when visiting friends – which, to me, is the highest compliment a recipe can receive.
One of the many reasons this recipe stands out is its incredible versatility and make-ahead potential. Heidi even mentioned that she freezes them, proving they are wonderfully freezer-friendly. This means you can prepare a big batch in advance, store them, and simply bake them when you’re ready to serve, making party planning significantly less stressful. With football season just around the corner, or perhaps a Super Bowl party on the horizon, having a reliable and delicious appetizer like this in your repertoire is invaluable. We even have an instructional video below to guide you through making this simple stuffed jalapeno recipe with ease. Get ready to enjoy!
Harvesting Happiness: My Jalapeno Journey and the Birth of a Recipe
Originally posted July 5, 2011…
There was a time when my garden was overflowing with jalapeños – I was practically swimming in them! Every trip to the backyard yielded a fresh bowl of these vibrant green peppers. Necessity, as they say, is the mother of invention, and I found myself getting creative. I’d used them in everything from salsa to pizza toppings, in savory enchiladas, and even in my trusty guacamole. But it was the combination of creamy cheese and sweet corn that truly stole the show, leading to the creation of these fantastic cheese and corn stuffed jalapeños.
This recipe was born out of a desire to utilize the abundance of fresh produce while creating something utterly delicious and easy to share. The balance of the jalapeño’s kick with the coolness of cream cheese and the sweetness of corn creates a harmonious flavor profile that is hard to resist. It’s a classic for a reason, and I’m thrilled to share its enduring appeal with you once again.
Mastering the Art of Stuffing Jalapenos
Making delicious stuffed jalapeños is a straightforward process, but a few key steps ensure perfection every time. The most important part is preparing the jalapeños themselves to control the heat and create the perfect pocket for our flavorful filling.
- Prepare the Jalapeños: Start by carefully slicing each jalapeño in half lengthwise. The next crucial step is to clean out all the seeds and membranes. This is where most of the pepper’s heat resides. Using a small spoon, like a grapefruit spoon (affiliate link), or a paring knife, gently scrape away the inner white ribs and seeds. This not only tempers the spice but also creates a larger cavity for the stuffing.
- Safety First: The insides of some jalapeños can be incredibly potent. It’s highly recommended to use caution and consider wearing kitchen gloves to protect your hands. If you don’t have gloves, be extra mindful not to touch your face, especially your eyes, after handling the peppers. A quick trick if you’re caught without gloves is to use plastic ziplock bags over your hands.
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. This prevents the cheese from sticking and makes transferring the cooked poppers a breeze.
- Craft the Filling: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheese (Monterey Jack or cheddar work wonderfully), cumin, minced garlic, corn kernels, chopped cilantro, a good pinch of salt, and fresh ground pepper. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined. Don’t forget to taste the mixture and adjust seasonings as needed – this ensures your filling is perfectly flavored.
- Stuff and Bake: Lightly sprinkle a little salt over the inside of each jalapeño half. Using a tablespoon, carefully stuff each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture. Be careful not to overstuff, as the cheese will expand slightly during baking. Place the stuffed jalapeños onto your prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden. For an extra crisp and beautifully browned top, switch your oven to the broiler setting for a few minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
Following these steps will result in perfectly baked, incredibly flavorful stuffed jalapeños that are sure to be a hit!
Can You Make Stuffed Jalapenos Ahead of Time and Freeze Them? Absolutely!
One of the best features of this recipe is its make-ahead and freezer-friendly nature, which is a huge bonus when planning for parties or busy weeks. You can absolutely prepare these Stuffed Jalapenos in advance, saving you precious time on the day of your event.
Preparing Ahead:
To make them ahead, simply follow all the steps up to stuffing the jalapeño halves. Instead of baking them immediately, arrange the stuffed peppers on a baking sheet and cover tightly with plastic wrap. You can refrigerate them for up to 24-48 hours. When you’re ready to serve, simply pull them out of the fridge and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if they are very cold.
Freezing Instructions:
Yes, you can freeze them! This is perfect for batch cooking or ensuring you always have a delicious appetizer on hand. To freeze:
- Stuff the jalapeños as directed in the recipe.
- Arrange the unstuffed jalapeños in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 1-2 hours, or until the jalapeños are frozen solid. This “flash freezing” prevents them from sticking together.
- Once solid, transfer the frozen stuffed jalapeños to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
Baking from Frozen:
When you’re ready to bake, there’s no need to thaw! Simply preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), place the frozen stuffed jalapeños on a foil-lined baking sheet, and bake for approximately 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. You might want to finish them under the broiler for a few minutes to get that perfect browned top. This makes impromptu snacking or last-minute party prep incredibly easy!
These stuffed jalapeños are truly perfect to serve during football season, tailgating events, or any type of casual gathering. They’re especially ideal if you are hosting a Super Bowl party, offering a vibrant, flavorful, and satisfying bite for all your guests!
More Irresistible Appetizer Recipes for Game Day Snacking
If you’re planning a spread for game day, you’ll want a variety of easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing snacks. These stuffed jalapeños pair wonderfully with a range of dips and other small bites. Here are some fantastic appetizer recipes to complement your culinary lineup:
- Chipotle Ranch Greek Yogurt Dip: A lighter, zesty dip that offers a fantastic counterpoint to spicy snacks.
- Buffalo Hummus Chicken Salad Rollups: Flavorful and protein-packed, these roll-ups are easy to eat and always a hit.
- Mini Pepper Nachos | All Day I Dream Of Food: A colorful and crunchy alternative to traditional nachos, perfect for individual servings.
- Southern Caviar Dip | Reluctant Entertainer: A vibrant and fresh dip packed with flavor, great for scooping with chips or crackers.
Creating an array of appetizers ensures there’s something for everyone, making your game day gathering memorable and delicious!
Cheesy Corn and Cream Cheese Stuffed Jalapeno Recipe
Print Recipe
Cheesy Corn Stuffed Jalapenos
Author: Aggies Kitchen
Prep Time: 10
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 16 jalapeno halves 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Oven
Cuisine: American
These Cheese and Corn Stuffed Jalapeños make a great party snack, especially during football season. An easy vegetarian appetizer to make and serve to friends and family. A reader favorite!
Ingredients
- 8 jalapenos, sliced in half longways
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 4 oz monterey jack or cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1 garlic clove, minced or pressed through garlic press
- 1 ear corn, kernels cut off (or about 1/2 cup defrosted or cooked corn)
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- good pinch salt and fresh ground pepper
Instructions
- Take each jalapeno half and carefully clean out all the seeds and membranes using a spoon or paring knife. The insides of some jalapenos can be very hot so use caution, consider wearing gloves.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with tin foil.
- In a bowl combine cream cheese, shredded cheese, cumin, garlic, corn, cilantro, salt and pepper. Taste for seasoning.
- Sprinkle a little salt over each jalapeno half. Using a tablespoon, stuff each jalapeno half with cheese mixture and place on cookie sheet. Be careful not to overstuff. Bake in 375 degree oven for about 20 minutes until cheese is bubbly. Switch oven to broiler setting and broil for a few minutes till tops are slightly browned.