Elote Jalapeño Poppers with Bacon & Cheddar
These elote jalapeño poppers combine the beloved flavors of Mexican street corn with crispy bacon and melted cheddar cheese, all stuffed inside grilled jalapeños. Featuring grilled corn, Cotija cheese, lime, and smoky bacon, they deliver the perfect party appetizer that captures authentic elote flavors in a fun, portable format.
Ingredients
For the Jalapeño Poppers:
- 10 large fresh jalapeños halved lengthwise and seeded
- 1 cup grilled corn kernels from 1 large ear or thawed frozen
- 4 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
- ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- ¼ cup mayonnaise Hellmann’s preferred
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ½ cup Cotija cheese crumbled
- ¼ cup red onion finely diced
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon cooked crispy and chopped
- Juice of ½ lime about 1 tablespoon
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: ¼ teaspoon Tajín or smoked paprika
- Garnish and Serving:
- Extra Cotija or cheddar cheese
- Crushed corn chips or tortilla chips
- Fresh cilantro chopped
- Lime wedges
- Optional: hot sauce or extra chili powder
Instructions
- Grill corn until charred (8-10 minutes), cool and cut kernels. Cook bacon until crispy, cool and chop.
- Halve jalapeños lengthwise, remove seeds and membranes. Arrange cut-side up on tray.
- Mix cream cheese, mayo, sour cream, both cheeses, corn, bacon, onion, lime juice, and seasonings until combined.
- Fill each jalapeño half with elote mixture, mounding slightly. Chill 30 minutes if desired.
- Grill filled poppers cut-side up over medium heat (375°F) for 8-10 minutes until tender and bubbly.
- Garnish with extra cheese, crushed chips, and cilantro. Serve hot with lime wedges.
Notes
- Wear gloves when handling jalapeños to protect hands
- Can substitute mini bell peppers for milder, kid-friendly version
- Grill corn until well-charred for maximum flavor
- Filled poppers can be prepped 1 day ahead and refrigerated
- Can substitute mini bell peppers for milder, kid-friendly version
- Grill corn until well-charred for maximum flavor
- Filled poppers can be prepped 1 day ahead and refrigerated
Nutrition
Calories: 209kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 6gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 443mgPotassium: 127mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 474IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 99mgIron: 0.3mg
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