Party foods are back, y’all. Not that they ever left, just that we stopped having parties once they became illegal. But because you’re not allowed to gather in large groups, you don’t have to share these poppers.
The soft, spicy jalapeño is stuffed with an oniony, garlicy cashew cream cheese that’s totally customizable. They’re then topped with crushed up porkless pork rinds to give a crunchy topping that is reminiscent of bacon wrapping, without all the disgusting fat.
The cream cheese is best made in a high power blender, but if you don’t own one, just soak your cashews overnight (or cheat and boil for 15 minutes). Use as much or as little as you prefer in your poppers and top with the pork rinds, pressing them down into the cream cheese.
Now be forewarned, the jalapeños will change shape a bit when cooking so if you find that one has decided it doesn’t want to be stuffed anymore, just push the cream cheese back inside.
Full disclosure, this recipe was created as a collaboration with Outstanding Foods for their Pigless Pork Rinds release. While they do add an amazing pork flavor, panko bread crumbs can be used in their place and will give the same crunchy topping.
- 12 jalapenos, cut in half, seeds and ribs removed
- 1 tsp olive oil
Cream Cheese
- 1 cup cashews,
- 1/4 cup water plus more just in case
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Topping
- 1/2 cup crushed porkless pork rinds or panko bread crumbs
- 1 tsp paprika
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- In a large bowl, toss jalapenos, oil and a good pinch of salt until all peppers are coated. Arrange peppers on baking sheet.
- In a high power blender, combine all cream cheese ingredients. Taste for seasoning and tang.
- Spoon cream cheese into peppers filling cavity and leveling off top.
- In a small bowl, combine pork rinds and paprika. Sprinkle on top of cream cheese, pressing down slightly.
- Bake for 25 minutes and broil for 2 minutes, keeping an eye on them so they don’t burn.