Bacon-Jalapeño Puffs

Name: Bacon-Jalapeño Puffs
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 6 slices bacon; 1 jalapeño pepper, finely chopped; 1 pkg. brick cream cheese, softened; 1 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese; ¼ tsp. ground red pepper (cayenne); 36 RITZ Crackers

Enjoy jalapeño poppers? You'll love our easy, inside-out version that combines all your favorite popper ingredients on top of a RITZ Crackers.

Prep time:

0 min

Total time:

0 min

Servings:

Makes 12 servings, 3 topped crackers each.

Ingredient list

6 slices bacon
1 jalapeño pepper, finely chopped
1 pkg. (8 oz.) brick cream cheese, softened
1 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
¼ tsp. ground red pepper (cayenne)
36 RITZ Crackers

Directions

Heat oven to 350ºF.

Cook bacon in medium skillet until crisp. Remove bacon from skillet, reserving drippings in skillet; drain bacon on paper towels.

Add jalapeño peppers to reserved drippings; cook and stir 2 to 3 min. or until crisp-tender. Remove peppers from skillet; drain on paper towels.

Mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese and ground red pepper in medium bowl until blended.

Crumble bacon. Add to cream cheese mixture along with the jalapeño peppers; mix well. Roll into 36 balls.

Place crackers in single layer on baking sheet; top with cheese balls.

Bake 5 min. or until heated through.

Recipe Tips

Substitute
Prepare using Neufchatel cheese.
Make Ahead
The cheese balls can be prepared ahead of time. Refrigerate up to 2 days. When ready to serve, place cheese balls on crackers and bake as directed.