This Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese takes everyone's favorite jalapeño popper appetizer and turns it into a grilled cheese sandwich fit for a meal!
(This recipe for Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese was originally posted in August 2011, but has been updated with new photos and content in 2018).
Grilled cheese is one of life's magical foods. But really, isn't it kind of amazing that a cheese sandwich sounds so "blah," but a grilled cheese sandwich sounds like heaven on Earth? It just goes to show you what a difference a little bit of butter and a griddle can make. I am always in the mood for a grilled cheese. I probably love cooking more than most people, but there are still nights where I just don't feel like cooking dinner. And those are often grilled cheese nights. Because we always have bread and cheese in the house (SO much cheese!) and it takes a grand total of 10 minutes to prepare (which means I can get back to the couch quickly).
But sometimes it's fun to jazz up a typical grilled sandwich. And sometimes it's fun to combine it with one of your all-time favorite appetizers and call it a day. And that's how this jalapeño popper grilled cheese was born.
JALAPEÑO POPPER GRILLED CHEESE RECIPE
As you probably know by now, I like to add spice to my meals whenever possible. So, what's better than a jalapeño-packed grilled cheese sandwich? And since jalapeño poppers are just about the best party appetizer ever, I decided to recreate them into a sandwich. Bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers, of course. Because until recently, I didn't even realize people ate jalapeño poppers without bacon. Huh.
You'll start by cutting the jalapeños into strips and broiling them until they're nice and blackened. The first time I made this recipe, I peeled the peppers once they cooled a bit, but then I realized this wasn't really necessary. If you don't mind the skin, keep it on; otherwise, when you take the peppers out of the oven, place in a bowl and cover. Once the peppers are cool enough to touch, peel the skin off. Of course, you'll want to cook your bacon until it's very crispy, too.
After that, comes the assembly! Butter one side of each slice of bread and then coat one side of two of the slices with cream cheese (for two sandwiches). Pile the peppers over the cream cheese and then top the other slices of bread with sliced cheese. I used pepper jack because it's especially fun with jalapeño poppers, but cheddar would work here, too.
Place each slice of bread butter-down on a lightly buttered griddle or skillet and
And your jalapeño popper grilled cheese sandwich is complete! I love that it's basically a deconstructed jalapeño popper snuggled in between bread. But, in my opinion, it's a whole lot easier to make than actual jalapeño poppers since you simply slice and broil the jalapeños and don't have to worry about soaking them, stuffing them, and wrapping bacon around them.
Plus? There's bread involved. I recommend using a nice crusty bread... I used brioche and it absolutely hit the spot.
If you're worried about too much spiciness, don't be! Since the jalapeños are seeded and broiled, they don't have too much heat left in them. And when mixed with cheese and bacon, the heat is not overwhelming at all and you get more of the actual flavor of jalapeño instead.
I honestly don't know that I'll be able to eat a "normal" grilled cheese sandwich again now that I've had this jalapeño popper grilled cheese! Fine, I'm not fooling anyone; any grilled cheese is welcome in my life, but this one is definitely going to be my #1 choice.
This jalapeño popper grilled cheese is the perfect Monday "dinner sandwich," but it's also a wonderful way to celebrate the end of the week. Who wants to be stuck in the kitchen cooking dinner on Friday night anyway?? Plus, you deserve lots of cheese. And bacon. I know I'm not alone when I say this week has been a doozy (to put it mildly). I can't fix the world's problems (oh how I wish I could!), but I can provide you with some recipes for delicious food so you can maybe feel just a little bit of comfort and love.
Do you ever have grilled cheese dinner nights?
If you're looking for more delicious grilled cheese recipes, check out my Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese or my Brie Grilled Cheese with Fig Spread, Green Apple, and Prosciutto.
📖 Recipe
Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 3 medium jalapeño peppers, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 4 strips bacon
- 4 slices crusty bread
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, plus more for pan
- 3 tablespoon cream cheese (can use reduced-fat if you prefer)
- 3 oz. pepper jack or cheddar cheese, sliced
Instructions
- Pre-heat broiler and line a small baking sheet in foil.
- Cut jalapeños into strips, removing membrane and seeds. Brush jalapeño strips lightly with olive oil and place on a foil-covered baking sheet.
- Broil peppers for about 5-7 minutes, until nice and blackened. If you want to remove the skins from the peppers (not required), immediately put the peppers in a bowl and cover, so they can steam. Once they’re cooled, remove from bowl and take the skin off. It should come off from the pepper easily.
- While peppers are in oven, cook bacon on a griddle or skillet until it's crispy.
- Butter one side of each of the four slices of bread. Slather the tops of two of the slices with cream cheese. Pile jalapeño peppers on top of cream cheese. On the other two slices of bread, lay out cheese (on the non-buttered side). Place bread slices butter-side down on lightly buttered griddle or skillet over medium-low heat.
- Cook open-face for about 3 minutes, until the cheese is nice and melty and the bread is crisping up (but not burning). Place bacon on top of jalapeños and top with cheese-covered slice of bread. Press together and let cook for another minute, flipping once.
Michelle says
I'm looking forward to cooking our first meal in our new place tonight!
Blog is the New Black says
I don't do cream cheese but the rest of this sandwich?1 YUM!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
Ooh fun! I definitely love the bacon but my hubs would love the jalapenos - will have to give this a try sometime 🙂
Cara says
I am definitely going to make these sandwiches this week, what a genius, delicious idea!
Daisy says
this grilled cheese looks life changing. such a great recipe!
Erica says
We have tons of jalapenos from our garden- i will totally be adding them to my grilled cheese. We are starting this month with a bang!
Dawn says
Wow that sounds amazing! I often put jalapeños in my grilled cheese, but nothing so fancy as this! I can't wait to try it. 🙂
Mal @ The Chic Geek says
Great idea! Looks delish.
Candace says
That is the best looking grilled cheese that I've seen in a long time. I love that you used Cabot's products too. We are Cabot lovers around here too. Thanks for sharing this great idea!
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
This is a great idea! I love jalapeno poppers too but have a confession that might shock you: I've never had a bacon wrapped jalapeno 🙁 That will change as I will be recreating this sandwich soon!
Monique says
How gorgeous and tasty does taht look!?!
I am having a day from hell so far... and this gives me hope!
Pam says
Wow, wow, WOW! That looks fantastic!!!
vanillasugarblog says
the heat of the summer makes me sluggish too. i'm upping my lemon juice and water in the mornings to help me get going. humidity kills me.
this sandwich? is the bomb. genius girl!
Ann says
This looks so great!! Where do you find the Cabot reduced fat pepperjack? I only ever see the regular cheddar in reduced fat (usually Stop & Shop).
Emily @ A Cambridge Story says
ooh bacon is clearly necessary here! I'd love to slather a little sweet jelly on it too!
Sues says
@Ann- I know Market Basket has a lot of the reduced fat Cabot cheeses. And I've seen reduced fat jalapeno (very similar to pepperjack) at the Stop and Shop in Brookline, MA!
NicoleD says
This is genius!
Epicurea says
what a delightful and fun blog! and i guess you just made everyone's week a little less painful :-).
Kelly says
That grilled cheese sounds a-ma-zing. I haven't had many jalapeno poppers in my life, but I love the sound of this re-imagined as a grilled cheese sandwich. So sinful!
Amy says
That looks and sounds AMAZING. I'm not a huge jalapeno fan, but I do like the poppers...YUM!
5 Star Foodie says
An awesome grilled cheese, excellent with jalapenos and bacon!
Candace Karu says
Well that grilled cheese got my attention! Love the combinations you put together and can't wait to try this one! PS I'm an unashamed fan of JP's too. ;-}
Shawna says
My husband would love me even more if I made this for him - thanks for sharing. This would be a very special treat for him 🙂
sarah k. @ the pajama chef says
my husband would be ALL over these...but i just made black bean burgers with jalapeno in them tonight and now have jalapeno burns on my fingers...no fun 🙁 so if he wants them soon, he'll have to make it himself! haha!
emily @ the happy home says
i'm stumbling into this week. sandwiches were a good idea. i resulted in frozen pizza... it's from trader joe's... so it's not the worst ever.... sigh.
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit says
I can't say I'm looking forward to it, but school starts this month, and there's air conditioning there at least. 🙂 That grilled cheese looks amazing! I passed up some free jalapenos yesterday and now I'm sorry I did. I'll know better next weekend! 🙂
Tori (@eat-tori) says
Brilliant. Am also kicking myself that I've just discovered your blog now. I have so much to catch up on. Including last night's episode of The Bachelorette (it's my absolute guilty pleasure. I force myself to stretch my hamstrings while I watch it, so at least I feel like I'm doing something good for myself).
Barbara says
I've got a son who's going to love this grilled cheese! Never have made one with cream cheese, either. Great recipe which I've written down already.
Meghan@travelwinedine says
Amazing sandwich! I tend to love Mondays, I feel like there is something so hopeful about them, and I feel so energized after the weekend.
Beth @ DiningAndDishing says
Oh my, that looks so good! I had a grilled cheese like this at Melt in Cleveland, dipped in raspberry preserves. It was way too good - and kinda worth the tummy ache it gave me after :).
Jenn's Food Journey says
Genius!! This has to be the best grilled cheese sandwich I've ever seen 🙂 Is it wrong to want one at 5:45am???
Reeni says
You are a genius, my dear! This would be like having fireworks go off in my mouth! I love it.
purabi naha says
I love cream cheese and I love jalepeno peppers! First time here and I loved my stay here! Really nice recipe. Absolutely mouth-watering!! Have you got anything left for me?
Amanda L. (Tales from a Kitchen Misfit) says
I usually like to spice up my grilled cheese with sriracha but I like the thought of grilled jalapenos!
jeannie says
Yeah, we are having some very hot days here too, followed by scattered showers every other day...not fun especially when you are stuck in the traffic jam! A quick meal like your delicious looking sandwich would be the perfect fast meal 🙂
Bee says
Mmmm I looove jalapenos! I also looove grilled cheese--so these are PERFECT! However, I need a good soup to drip my grilled cheese in... I wonder what would pair well with these?
briarrose says
If I could hide from the Monday's under the covers I would. 😉
My husband would be totally addicted to this grilled cheese. I can even visualize the puppy dog eyes demanding I make it...now...now is good.
Bridget says
THis sounds SO good! I've really just been starting to like more spicy things...I never in the past would have put jalepenos on a sandwich but now this sounds fabulous!
Leah | So, How's It Taste? says
Whoa, I'm loving this idea. I'm a sucker for anything with cream cheese or bacon. A nice twist on a classic!
Shannon says
i think coming back from vacation also makes me sluggish 🙂 this sounds awesome, and i'm not really a huge fan of the traditional popper. i'm turning 30 all too soon... and doing my first olympic distance tri this month... so i guess i'm looking forward to those 🙂
Mark says
You win the grilled cheese award. I can't believe I haven't tried this. Two of my favorite things... Thanks for the post!
Spike says
This grilled cheese is the perfect remedy for a rough week!
Megan says
My BF loves jalapeno poppers so this is the perfect sandwich! I can't wait to give this a shot!!!
Kelly says
This is a great use of extra jalapenos from the garden this year!
Christine says
Hi Sues, Your Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese recipe has been selected to be featured in a Recipe Guessing Game. Please share the following link with your friends and fans. Congrats again!! 🙂
Julie Evink says
What a delicious twist on grilled cheese! Can't wait to this this one!
Britni says
These look so yummy & easy to do! Thank you
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
I want one of these!! Pinned! I'd love it if you shared it at our What's for Dinner party!
Erica says
I made this back in 2011 apparently... saved the recipe, and now that we're all in quarantine I'm going back through my bookmarks to make old favorites. I got into the sourdough craze and made my own bread, used some jalapeño pimento cheese I made for a midnight snack the other night, and then the roasted jalapeños and bacon and it was killer! I want another one...