Jalapeno Popper Bites (delicious!)

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 5 mins

Ingredients

• 8 -12 fresh jalapenos, depending on size (larger the better usually)
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup breadcrumbs, plain (crunchy or regular)
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (or more to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (or more to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more to taste)
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (sharp is ideal, but any will work)
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 -2 cup oil, for frying

Recipe

• 1 in a bowl, combine cream cheese, cheddar and mayo. mix well and set aside.
• 2 in a second bowl, combine bread crumbs and all seasonings (ingredients 3-8) set aside.
• 3 in a third bowl, beat eggs. set aside.
• 4 cut end off each jalapeño and slice into 1/4 inch thick round slices. (i keep the tips, not the ends, and make tiny versions of the bites but u can toss em also if u like.).
• 5 top each jalapeño slice with a lump of cream cheese mixture, form the mixture and the slice into the shape of a gum drop or a short cylinder with the jalapeño being the bottom of it. the smoother the shape the prettier they turn out.
• 6 *you can use as much of the filling as you like,.
• 7 i usually do about 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick depending on the width of the jalapeño slice.
• 8 dip each popper in eggs, then in breadcrumbs, make sure to cover very well in breadcrumbs and if you need to, double dip. ( if u get a lot of egg on it the first time u should not need to double dip.).
• 9 dry for 10 mins before frying.
• 10 heat the oil in a frying pan to med/low, i do 4 on my stove and it's perfect, make sure there is enough to reach the top of your popper bites, you can not flip they or the filling comes out the top.
• 11 once the oil is up to heat, place prepared poppers in oil, jalapeño side down!
• 12 fry for 3-5 mins or until golden brown. if cream cheese comes out the top make sure to watch and remove that one asap so u don't lose filling.
• 13 place on paper towel to cool. serve:.
• 14 yum =).