If you love the creamy, spicy, and crispy goodness of jalapeno poppers, you are in for a treat! Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups turn everything you adore about the classic appetizer into an irresistible, crunchy bite-sized delight—perfect for parties, game day, or just treating yourself to something extra fun and flavorful.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crowd-Pleasing Appetizer: These Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups vanish fast at gatherings and always earn rave reviews.
- Perfect Texture Combo: Crispy wonton shells cradle a creamy, cheesy, spicy filling that’s truly irresistible.
- Quick & Easy: They come together in just about 30 minutes from start to finish, but look and taste like you fussed over them all afternoon.
- Endlessly Customizable: You can tweak the filling to match your spice preference, add more veggies, or swap in your favorite cheese.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of simple, everyday ingredients, these Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups come together with minimal effort but deliver maximum flavor. Every component plays a special role, adding crunch, creaminess, heat, or a savory kick that makes each bite memorable!
- Wonton Wrappers: These form the crispy, golden “cups” that hold all the cheesy goodness—find them in the refrigerated produce section.
- Cream Cheese (softened): Adds that signature creamy base and helps meld all the flavors together.
- Sour Cream: Makes the filling ultra-luscious, balancing out the spice and adding a gentle tang.
- Bacon (cooked & crumbled): Smoky, salty bacon bits bring serious flavor; I always save a little for that irresistible garnish on top!
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Cheddar delivers sharpness and that gooey cheese pull everyone loves—don’t forget a sprinkle for the finish.
- Jalapeños (seeded and chopped): The heart of the recipe! Milder if you remove the seeds, or bolder if you leave a few in for added kick.
- Cooking Spray: For a golden, stick-free finish so those pretty cups slide right out of the muffin pan.
Variations
One of the best things about Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups is how easy they are to customize! Whether you’re adjusting for spice lovers, vegetarians, or just cleaning out your fridge, these tasty bites can flex to suit your crowd perfectly.
- Vegetarian Swap: Skip the bacon and add a handful of chopped scallions or sautéed mushrooms for a savory crunch.
- Mega Spicy: Leave some jalapeno seeds intact or add a touch of hot sauce to the filling for a bigger hit of heat.
- Different Cheeses: Mix in pepper jack, Monterey Jack, or smoked gouda to play up the cheese factor and add complexity.
- Lightened Up: Use reduced-fat cream cheese, turkey bacon, or nonfat Greek yogurt in place of sour cream for a lighter version.
How to Make Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups
Step 1: Prep the Wonton Cups
Preheat your oven to 350°F and give your muffin pan a generous mist of cooking spray—this is key for easy release and ultra-crispy cups. Gently press one wonton wrapper into each muffin compartment, shaping them to form tidy little shells. Pop them into the oven for 10 minutes, or until they’re just barely golden and crisp around the edges. Set them aside to cool slightly while you make the filling.
Step 2: Mix the Creamy Jalapeno Filling
While your wonton cups are cooling, stir the softened cream cheese and sour cream together in a medium bowl until velvety-smooth. Fold in most of the crumbled bacon (save a little for topping), cheddar cheese (again, save some!), and the star of the show—the diced jalapeños. You should end up with a thick, irresistible mixture that’s brimming with flavor and just the right amount of heat.
Step 3: Fill & Finish Baking
Spoon the luscious jalapeno popper filling into each pre-baked wonton shell until they’re nicely mounded (but not overflowing). Sprinkle the reserved bacon and cheddar cheese over the top for some savory sparkle. Slide the pan back into the oven and bake for another 8–10 minutes, until the filling is melted and bubbling, and the cups are gorgeously golden. Let them cool ever-so-slightly before serving—they’re best warm and melty!
Pro Tips for Making Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups
- Crispy Cup Secret: Lightly spritz the wonton wrappers with oil before baking for extra crunch—even in the bottom!
- Balancing the Heat: Always taste a jalapeño before mixing in—heat can vary, so add to preference and mix seeds in gradually for desired spice.
- Easier Filling: Let your cream cheese come fully to room temp for the smoothest, easiest-to-mix filling—no lumps, no fuss.
- Double the Batch: These Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups disappear fast, so consider making a double batch and keeping the first round warm in the oven while the next bakes!
How to Serve Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups
Garnishes
For a picture-perfect tray, finish your Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups with a final sprinkle of reserved bacon and cheddar. Add a few paper-thin jalapeño slices or a scattering of fresh chopped scallions for a pop of color and an extra layer of flavor.
Side Dishes
These crispy cups are fantastic on their own, but they also pair beautifully with a simple salad, a creamy slaw, or big platters of fresh veggies and ranch. They’re a crowd-pleaser alongside wings, sliders, or chips and salsa for a full-on party spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups nestled atop a wooden board scattered with limes and sprigs of cilantro for a stunning appetizer display. Or line them up on a slate platter with colorful picks and mini cups of ranch for stylish, grab-and-go snacking.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (which rarely happens!), store cooled Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep them in a single layer if possible so they stay crisp.
Freezing
You can freeze assembled, baked (and fully cooled) wonton cups wrapped tightly and stored in a freezer-safe bag. For best results, reheat from frozen in a 350°F oven until crispy and heated through—about 10-12 minutes.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-from-the-oven crunch, skip the microwave and reheat Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups in the oven or air fryer at 350°F for 5-8 minutes until warm and crispy again.
FAQs
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Can I make Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake the wonton shells and prep the filling a day in advance. Simply fill the cups just before your guests arrive, add toppings, and bake for the final 8–10 minutes so they’re hot and fresh for serving.
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How spicy are these, and how can I control the heat?
The spice level depends on your jalapeños—remove more seeds and membranes for milder cups, or leave some in for extra fire. Taste your peppers before adding, and remember you can add more but can’t take it away!
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What can I use instead of bacon to make these vegetarian?
Try diced sautéed mushrooms, veggie bacon strips, or just extra chopped scallions for a fabulous vegetarian version of these Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups—just as flavorful, totally meat-free!
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Can I use phyllo dough or another wrapper if I can’t find wonton wrappers?
If wonton wrappers are unavailable, you can cut phyllo sheets into squares, stack two at a time for sturdiness, and use those as cups (bake times may be slightly shorter). Egg roll wrappers cut into quarters also work nicely.
Final Thoughts
These Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups are my secret weapon for any occasion where I want to wow a crowd with minimal fuss. I hope they become a favorite in your kitchen as well—give them a try and let their melty, spicy, crispy charm win you over!
Print
Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups are a delightful blend of creamy, spicy, and crispy in one perfect bite-sized appetizer. With a crunchy wonton wrapper holding a savory filling of cream cheese, bacon, cheddar cheese, and jalapeños, these poppers are a crowd-pleaser at any gathering.
Ingredients
Wonton Cups:
- 12 wonton wrappers
Filling:
- 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 c. sour cream
- 12 oz. bacon, cooked & crumbled (reserve 2 Tbsp.)
- 1 c. shredded cheddar cheese, reserve 2 Tbsp.
- 3–4 jalapeños, seeded and chopped (**for more spice, do not remove all the seeds)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray muffin pan with cooking spray.
- Place one wonton wrapper in each muffin cup; bake 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and cool slightly.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, stir together cream cheese, sour cream, bacon, cheddar cheese, and chopped jalapeños.
- Spoon filling into wonton cups, then sprinkle with reserved bacon and cheese.
- Return to oven and bake for an additional 8-10 minutes, until wontons are golden brown and cheese is melted.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Wonton Cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
