This grilled cheese recipe is a fresh take on a classic sandwich. Roasted jalapeno peppers, American cheese, bacon, and cream cheese meld to create amazing flavor between toasted slices of California sourdough bread.
It’s so delicious, it was chosen as the first place winner in Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Markets‘ contest to commemorate National Grilled Cheese Month in April of 2021. Once you experience the flavor of a jalapeno popper wrapped up in a toasted sandwich, you’ll never want grilled cheese any other way!
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What is Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese?
A jalapeno popper grilled cheese is a classic grilled cheese sandwich using some of the same ingredients found in jalapeno poppers. In its most basic form, this popular appetizer consists of hollowed out jalapeno peppers that are stuffed with cream cheese, then breaded and deep fried.
Jalapeno poppers began “popping up” on menus throughout the United States beginning in the early 1970’s, but they were made in a slightly different way. Once the jalapenos were stuffed with cream cheese, they were often wrapped in bacon or sausage in place of breading. In this form, they were (and often still are) called armadillo eggs.
Poppers grew and evolved throughout the 1980s. In 1992, Anchor Food Products, known for the line of breaded snacks, trademarked the name “jalapeno poppers” as their own creation. Heinz later acquired the name and began wide distribution of the snack food in frozen form.
Nowadays the term “jalapeno popper” can be used without fear of legal repercussions. Chefs and home cooks everywhere have created new takes on the classic popper, such as stuffing them with meat, macaroni and cheese, and artisanal cheeses. And in the case of this sandwich, the jalapeno popper has even begun inspiring new food combinations.
Is This Sandwich Spicy?
To my palate, this sandwich isn’t spicy at all. That’s one of the things I love about it. You can really taste the roasted jalapeno flavor, but the pungency isn’t there. At least it’s not for me.
This may be, in part, to the way I prepare my peppers for this dish. I’m really careful to remove all the seeds and the pith, or membrane containing the seeds, of my peppers. The capsaicin of a pepper is responsible for its heat, and capsaicin is contained in the pith of peppers.
Another reason the heat is so mild in this sandwich is the combination of ingredients. Dairy foods are highly effective in counteracting the effects of capsaicin, so the presence of American cheese and cream cheese may cut the heat.
I know some people are sensitive to heat in foods. One of my daughters has geographic tongue and sometimes can’t even handle pizza sauce. People with sensitive palates, like my daughter, might want to proceed with caution.
But overall, jalapeno peppers rank rather low on the Scoville scale of chili pepper heat with a score of 2,500 – 8,000. They are categorized as “mildly hot” on the scale, along with cayenne, tabasco, and serrano peppers. To understand what makes peppers hot and how the Scoville scale calculates a pepper’s pungency, check out my article “How Hot is My Pepper?”.
How Do I Roast Jalapeno Peppers for This Sandwich?
Roasting jalapenos, or any peppers, is a lot easier and less intimidating than it sounds! In fact, you don’t need any other ingredients!
All you need to do is remove the stem, seeds, and pith, then roast them on a baking sheet at 475 degrees for about 15 minutes. The skin will blister and char, but that’s a good thing! It tells you they’re done.
Check out my blog post “How to Roast Jalapeno Peppers” for step by step instructions with photos. I made it super easy for you to follow along as you prepare your peppers for this tasty sandwich!
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Directions
- Roast the jalapeno pepper. You can find out how to do this here. This can be done a few days ahead of time if roasted jalapenos are stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
- Dice the pepper into small pieces. Set aside.
- Spread a thin coating of butter on two slices of bread. Sprinkle each buttered side with garlic salt and black pepper.
- Preheat grill pan or skillet. Lay one slice of bread, buttered side down, on the pan. Lay a slice of American cheese over it.
- Spoon the diced jalapeno peppers over the cheese, then lay the halved slices of bacon on the peppers.
- Drop the cream cheese pieces over the bacon and peppers.
- Add another slice of American cheese, then top with the second slice of bread, butter side up.
- Gently press the sandwich with a spatula. Grill over low heat until lightly browned. Take your time with this. Cooking over higher heat can burn the bread without melting the cheese.
- Flip the sandwich over; press with spatula. Continue to grill over low heat until second side is browned. Serve hot.
What Should I Serve With Grilled Cheese?
- Try Black Bean and Rice Salad to pair with southwestern flair
- Classic Chicken Soup with Dumplings soup is always a tasty choice
- Light and creamy Dill Potato Salad is the perfect antidote for a spicy sandwich
Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Difficulty: Easy1
servings10
minutesThis grilled cheese recipe is a fresh take on a classic. Roasted jalapenos, American cheese, bacon, and cream cheese meld for amazing flavors!
Ingredients
1 fresh jalapeno
2 slices California sourdough bread
Salted butter
Pinch garlic salt
Pinch ground black pepper
2 slices American cheese
1 slice bacon, cooked and halved
1 ounce cream cheese, cut into smaller pieces
Directions
- Roast the jalapeno pepper. You can find out how to do this here. This can be done a few days ahead of time if roasted jalapenos are stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
- Dice the pepper into small pieces. Set aside.
- Spread a thin coating of butter on two slices of bread. Sprinkle each buttered side with garlic salt and black pepper.
- Preheat grill pan or skillet. Lay one slice of bread, buttered side down, on the pan. Lay a slice of American cheese over it.
- Spoon the diced jalapeno peppers over the cheese, then lay the halved slices of bacon on the peppers.
- Drop the cream cheese pieces over the bacon and peppers.
- Add another slice of American cheese, then top with the second slice of bread, butter side up.
- Gently press the sandwich with a spatula. Grill over low heat until lightly browned. Take your time with this! Cooking over higher heat can burn the bread without melting the cheese.
- Flip the sandwich over; press with spatula. Continue to grill over low heat until second side is browned. Serve hot.
To read about the grilled cheese contest hosted by Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Markets, click here. Or, check out the article in our News section.
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Looks delicious! We love “twists” on grilled cheese sandwiches.
Me, too! And making “designer” grilled cheese always helps clean out the fridge!
I love jalapenos! I think I can adapt this recipe, using vegan cheeses and plant based butter.
Definitely! That roasted pepper taste is to die for in this sandwich.
WOW! There’s a bite that says, “Hello!” 🙂
…followed by “Now get in my belly!” 😀
I’m not a fan of spicy… but I do love fancy grilled cheese! My kids and hubby are more into the spicy stuff!
I have one daughter who can’t tolerate spice and I’m curious to see if she can eat this. A couple friends who don’t enjoy heat tried it and didn’t think it was spicy. I know the cream cheese cuts the heat, but I am also merciless when I scrape the pith out of my peppers.
I am a sucker for grilled cheese! I’ve also been loving the cream cheese, jalapeno combo lately (putting it on my home made pizzas!). I’m definitely going to try this! Thanks for the idea!
Oh, yum, I have to try it on pizza, too. What a great idea!
I just had a Wendy’s jalapeno popper chicken sandwich earlier today. This sound even better!
I’m glad you like the recipe! Give it a try and let us know how it goes!
This looks so delicious. Our family is in love with poppers and you found a way to make it a meal!
High five! I’m sure they’d love this sandwich, too!
I do like spicy!
I have a feeling you’ll love this sandwich!
Jeez! This post made me hungry!
I can suggest a really tasty sandwich!
I love ‘fancy’ grilled cheese sandwiches like this!!!
Jazzing them up a bit is always fun!
This looks and sounds soooooo good! All of my favorite ingredients on a a grilled cheese sandwich! Yum! I will be making this soon.
Let us know how it turns out when you do!
This is a grill cheese with a kick! Yum!
I love that it’s not too spicy, but it still has that jalapeno flavor.
Now that’s a grilled cheese sandwich!
Ha ha ha, thank you! We love them!
This sounds amazing!! I love grilled cheese and jalapeno poppers – perfect to combine!
Thanks! I was really pleased with the way the sandwich turned out.
Love grilled cheese and jalapeño poppers. This recipe is a game changer!
It’s great for game days with bowls of chili!
Oh yum! I love this combo! What a great idea.
Thank you! It tastes like a popper sandwich!
Oh my goodness this sounds amazing! Sourdough bread is my favorite bread for grilled cheese.. I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Sourdough is one of my favorite breads, and I love it for grilled cheese and paninis!
This sounds amazing. Jalepeno and cream cheese is such a good combo, and it’s genius that you’ve turned it into a sandwich!
I love that combination, too. I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe!