Ah, Alabama Firecrackers—a classic Southern appetizer! 🌶️ These are crispy, spicy bacon-wrapped jalapeño bites that are always a hit at parties. Here’s a tried-and-true recipe:
🌶️ Alabama Firecrackers
Ingredients
- 12 jalapeño peppers, halved lengthwise, seeds removed
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 4 oz shredded cheddar cheese
- 12 slices bacon (cut in half if large)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- Toothpicks for securing
Instructions
1️⃣ Prep Jalapeños
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) or prepare a grill.
- Slice jalapeños in half and remove seeds (leave some seeds if you like extra heat).
2️⃣ Make Filling
- Mix cream cheese, cheddar, garlic powder, and paprika until smooth.
3️⃣ Stuff Jalapeños
- Spoon the cheese mixture into each jalapeño half.
4️⃣ Wrap with Bacon
- Wrap each stuffed jalapeño with a half slice of bacon.
- Secure with a toothpick.
5️⃣ Bake or Grill
- Oven: Place on a baking sheet lined with foil. Bake 20–25 minutes until bacon is crispy.
- Grill: Grill over medium heat, turning occasionally, until bacon is crispy.
6️⃣ Serve
- Let cool slightly, then serve hot as an appetizer.
✨ Tips & Variations
- Spice level: leave some seeds in jalapeños for extra heat.
- Cheese twist: use pepper jack for a spicy kick.
- Sweet & smoky: brush bacon with brown sugar before baking.
- Make ahead: prep stuffed jalapeños, wrap in bacon, and refrigerate until ready to cook.
If you want, I can also give you:
- Air-fryer Alabama Firecrackers
- Mini bite-size party version
- Extra cheesy version with a cheese drizzle
Do you want the oven version or air-fryer version?
