Traeger jalapeno poppers are a classic bbq appetizer. Jalapenos are stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped in bacon and cooked on your pellet grill or smoker. Our grilled bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers are the perfect snack to serve up as an appetizer for a crowd!
Traeger Jalapeno Poppers
I love taking classic appetizers and figuring out a way to make them on our pellet grills. From our grilled crab cakes, smoked potato skins, and our double-smoked artichoke dip, we have a THING with appetizers.
The combination of jalapeno, cream cheese, and bacon is one lethal combination. It works so well together, and the Traeger offers a nice light smoke flavor to add a whole new dimension to the mix.
I will be honest, I have tried making these in the oven, and it just isn’t the same. I will always favor grilling jalapeno poppers over any other method of cooking.
Get all of my Easy Traeger Recipes here!
Traeger Jalapeńo Poppers shopping list
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Japapeńo peppers
- Cream cheese
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Spicy BBQ rub
- Bacon
Try our Traeger Bell Pepper Poppers too!
How to make Jalapeńo Poppers on the Traeger
This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
1
Preheat
We’re shooting for 350°F.
2
Prep
Rinse your peppers well in running cold water and set aside.
Use room temperature cream cheese and scoop the cream cheese into the peppers, and then set aside. (Use Smoked Cream Cheese for bonus points!)
Grab your bacon and slice it in half, and wrap around the peppers and secure with a toothpick.
3
Grill
Put your poppers on the grill. You can use a grill mat, if you have one (my favorite is down in the recipe card). Cook them until the bacon is fully cooked.
4
Rest
Let these nuclear poppers rest for a while so you don’t melt the insides of everyone’s mouth.
5
Enjoy
Have some milk handy for the people in the bunch who can’t handle the heat!
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Smoked Jalapeńo Poppers FAQ
How can you tell that a jalapeno is ripe?
How do you know if jalapenos are ripe? Here are some key things to look for when picking peppers off your vine or choosing them in the store.
– Size | Look to see that the pepper is around four to six inches in length.
– Shape | You want your jalapenos to be fat, firm and offer a shiny or waxy sheen.
– Color | Bright green peppers are what you want to look for. As they age they will become darker green, then black and red.
Can you use prosciutto instead of bacon?
Yup! The prosciutto will cook a lot faster on the grill, so it will leave your peppers a little bit crunchier than bacon kind, but the flavor and texture work well together.
How do you store the leftovers?
We toss these in a baggie in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
What’s the best way to reheat the leftovers?
We like to reheat these in the air fryer or right back on the grill. You’ll get the best results that way!
Don’t sleep on our Smoked Pig Shots recipe!
More great recipes featuring bacon!
Get all of my Bacon-Lovers Recipes here, and see some of my favorites below!
- Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple Bites
- Bacon Jam Cream Cheese
- Ultimate Bacon Onion Smash Burgers
- Bacon Bleu Cheese Dressing
- Traeger No-Flip Bacon
- Smoked Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese
- Traeger Bacon Wrapped Scallops
- Bacon-Wrapped Brats
- Traeger Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
- Bacon Sausage Bites
- Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
- Spicy Candied Bacon
More great recipes to love!
- Smoked Mac and Cheese
- Smash Burgers
- Traeger Smoked Pork Loin
- Smoked Ham
- Traeger Pork Chops
- Spatchcock Chicken
- Smoked Salmon
- Smoked Tri-tip
- Fried Walleye
- Chicken Marsala
- Homemade Bolognese
- Grilled Venison Backstrap
- Camarones a la Diabla
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Traeger Smoked Jalapeno Poppers
These classic jalapeno poppers are smoked on a Traeger wood-pellet grill, and wrapped in bacon to make the traditional popper pop a little more.
Ingredients
- 12 jalapeño peppers
- 8-ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon spicy bbq rub
- 12 pieces of bacon
Instructions
- Preheat your Traeger or other wood-pellet grill to 350°.
- Wash and cut the tops off of the peppers, and then slice them in half the long way. Scrape the seeds and the membranes out, and set aside.
- Combine the softened cream cheese with the spicy bbq rub and the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Spoon the softened cream cheese mixture into the popper, and wrap with bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- Place on wire racks that are non-stick or have been sprayed with non-stick spray, and grill for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is cooked.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 145Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 293mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 6g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate. If you are tracking these things for medical purposes please consult an outside, trusted source. Thanks!
Nicole Johnson
Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.