8 Quick and Easy Jalapeno Appetizer Recipes

I have ordered so many jalapeno peppers while doing online grocery shopping, and I usually order way too many. I have gotten pretty creative with my jalapeno recipes, so I would like to share 8 quick and easy jalapeno appetizer recipes that I think you will enjoy.

I have always liked spicy food, but as I have gotten older, I think my taste buds have changed a little. I now love spicy food, especially fresh jalapeno peppers.

Like I mentioned, I buy them frequently in my Wal-Mart+ orders, but I never seem to order the correct amount. I either end up with one jalapeno or 30 of them.

Feel free to open the table of contents with the down arrow and click on the recipe you want to see.

Tips for Working with Jalapenos

• If you ever end up with too many jalapenos, you can freeze them. Sometimes I freeze them in slices and other times I dice them and freeze them. This makes it very convenient when I want fresh jalapenos for cooking.

• Keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator or a freezer bag to have on hand for recipes.
• Add them to soups, casserole, or pizza to give them a little spice.
• Be sure to wear gloves when you are cutting or working with jalapenos. This keeps you from getting the jalapeno juice in your eyes. Believe me, it will burn!
• I have never figured out exactly how to determine in the store which peppers are hot and which are mild. When I start cutting them up, the smell usually gives it away – the hot ones are stronger. I have also heard that the hotter ones have red or yellow lines running through them.
• If you core the seeds and membranes, the peppers will not be as hot. I highly recommend a jalapeno corer. Mine was pretty old, so I just ordered this one. It works great and was very inexpensive.

Here is a link to the jalapeno corer.

• If you grill very often, you can also get a jalapeno grill rack. You just fill the jalapenos, stand them up in the grill rack and grill them. These racks make it so easy. Something about the grill makes them a little spicier than normal, but they are tasty!

Here is a link to a jalapeno griller.

8 Easy Jalapeno Appetizer Recipes

#1 Jalapeno Fudge

This is one of my favorite jalapeno appetizers. It is usually pretty mild and has great flavor, plus it is so easy and quick! I make this for breakfast, brunch, and Keto snacks.

It is delicious!!!

#2 Candied Jalapenos

Many years ago, someone shared this recipe with Jay. Of course you can buy these in the store, but it is so easy to make them and much less expensive. If you have never tried candied jalapenos, you are in for a treat!

Ingredients:

1 Jar of Pickled Jalapeno Peppers, Sliced
Sugar

Directions:

If you are using a new jar of jalapenos, pour the peppers and all of the juice into a bowl. Add a little less than 1/2 of the juice into the jar you are using and discard the rest of the juice.

Add a few peppers into the jar (about an inch up the jar). Cover the peppers with sugar and shake to get the sugar to settle into the peppers. Add a little more sugar so that the layer covers the peppers well.

Add another layer of peppers and then sugar, repeating the steps until the jar is full. Refrigerate for a week or two until all of the sugar is dissolved.

You can use these candied jalapenos to make a very easy appetizer. Put a block of cream cheese on a serving plate and top with candied jalapenos. Serve with a variety of crackers.

#3 Elva’s Easy Jalapeno Jelly

A sweet lady from my church (Elva) shared this with me. I finally got to try it out this week.

Ingredients:

1 Pint of Jelly, flavor of your choosing
3 T. Vinegar
3 T. Chopped Jalapenos

Directions:

Melt the jelly in the microwave until it can be stirred smoothly. Add the vinegar and chopped jalapenos. Microwave for about 30 seconds longer and stir well. Pour into Mason jars.

If you are going to use the jelly within the next few days, go ahead and refrigerate it. If not, or you want to give the jelly as gifts, make sure the lids are on tightly and put the jars in boiling water for 15 minutes or longer.

Just a side note – Elva said that Apple, Peach, Raspberry, and Strawberry jelly taste delicious using this recipe. I used apple jelly.

Serve it on toast, crackers, or even chicken.

Update on Jalapeno Jelly

I made the jelly using apple jelly and the recipe above, and it tasted wonderful. However, mine turned out a little more runny than Elva’s. I probably used too much liquid from the jalapenos. I tried it again using the following:

I guess this would be Jalapeno Jam! I did not add the vinegar to this one, and it turned out very nice. You can see that there was a little extra mixture left over, so I poured it into the original jar. The entire process took me about 5 minutes!

I made a quick little appetizer with a Ritz Cracker and cream cheese topped with the jalapeno jam. It was so good that I made a lunch out of it! LOL!

#4 Jalapeno Poppers

I found this recipe on the Internet a while back, and it is delicious! This recipe uses breakfast sausage in the filling. See Rachel’s recipe below if you prefer bacon. You could make a combination of both of these to serve at parties.

#5 Jalapeno Popper Soup

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“Food, Folks, & Fun” posted this Jalapeno Popper Soup. Although it is not a so called appetizer, it is delicious! I tweaked it a little bit to fit our family. You can leave out any spices or garnishes you or your family do not want.

#6 Aunt Joy’s Jalapeno Appetizers

I have shared this recipe before, but it is definitely worth making the list again! This jalapeno appetizer is so refreshing; it is one of my favorites!

#7 Rachel’s Stuffed Jalapenos

Rachel’s recipe for her Stuffed Jalapeno Appetizer was one of the recipes from our 12 Days of Christmas celebration at work. They are delicious!

Ingredients:

1 Pound Jalapenos
1 Pkg. of Bacon, Cooked
1 Pkg. Cream Cheese

Directions:

• Cut jalapenos in half longways and deseed.
• Chop bacon into small pieces and brown in skillet. Drain when done on a paper towel.
• In a mixer, mix cream cheese and bacon until combined.
• Fill jalapenos with mixture and bake at 400 degrees until cream cheese is golden brown and jalapenos are soft.

#8 Homemade Roasted Salsa

This is another recipe I have shared before, but when you are talking about jalapenos, I have to mention this one. These ingredients are fresh and roasted in the over before blending them together. It is so easy and fresh.

Anytime you have a party, think about these 8 easy jalapeno appetizer recipes. They are sure to liven up the party! Enjoy and please share your favorites in the comments below!

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Until next time,

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Psalm 119:103