Get ready to fall in love with the unbeatable flavor combo in these Bacon-Jalapeño Puffs. Imagine a bite-sized treat with crispy, smoky bacon and zingy jalapeño, wrapped up in creamy, cheesy goodness, all perched on a buttery RITZ cracker. Whether you’re hosting game night, a holiday bash, or just want the world’s best snack, these little beauties will make you the star of the party. With every morsel, your guests will be asking for the recipe—and trust me, you’ll want to make them again and again. Bacon-Jalapeño Puffs are irresistibly easy and seriously delicious!

Bacon-Jalapeño Puffs Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What’s wonderful about Bacon-Jalapeño Puffs is how approachable yet impactful each ingredient is. From the crispiness of bacon to the subtle heat of jalapeño, and the creamy, dreamy cheeses, each component brings something important to the party table.

Bacon: Gives incredible smoky crunch and salty depth; standard or thick-cut both work, just be sure it’s nice and crispy.
Jalapeño Pepper: Adds the perfect little kick; remove seeds for less heat, or leave a few in if you like it spicy.
Cream Cheese: The rich, velvety base that holds everything together; brick-style blends best.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar brings bold flavor and gorgeous color to every puff.
Ground Red Pepper (Cayenne): A dash of this turns up the warmth; adjust to suit your heat tolerance.
RITZ Crackers: Each puff sits on a buttery, crisp cracker for a satisfying crunch in every bite.

How to Make Bacon-Jalapeño Puffs

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Start by heating your oven to 350ºF. While the oven warms up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean-up later. You’ll also want to let your cream cheese soften at room temperature for effortless mixing down the line.

Step 2: Cook the Bacon

Place the bacon slices in a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook them until they’re gorgeously crisp, turning as needed. Transfer your crispy bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, but don’t toss those drippings—there’s more flavor magic ahead!

Step 3: Sauté the Jalapeños

Toss the finely chopped jalapeño right into those reserved bacon drippings. Cook and stir for about two to three minutes, just until softened and wonderfully fragrant. Scoop them out and let them drain on another paper-towel-lined plate.

Step 4: Blend the Cheese Mixture

In a medium bowl, blend the softened cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and ground cayenne. The resulting mixture should be creamy with little flecks of sharp cheddar dotted throughout—your tastebuds are already doing a happy dance!

Step 5: Mix in the Flavors and Roll

Crumble the cooled bacon into small pieces. Add these, along with your tender sautéed jalapeños, into the cheese mixture. Mix well. Now, use your hands or a small scoop to roll the mixture into 36 bite-size balls. Each ball will be packed with savory, cheesy, spicy joy!

Step 6: Assemble on RITZ Crackers

Arrange 36 RITZ crackers in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet. Gently nestle one cheese ball on top of each cracker. This not only keeps things neat but lets the crackers get toasty and even more buttery as they bake.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the tray into your preheated oven and bake for about five minutes, just until the cheese balls are warmed through and the scent fills your kitchen. Serve them warm and watch as they disappear in a matter of minutes!

How to Serve Bacon-Jalapeño Puffs

Garnishes

Top each Bacon-Jalapeño Puff with a tiny sprinkle of fresh chopped chives or green onions for a pop of color. For an extra kick, a little dusting of smoked paprika looks gorgeous and adds that sultry aroma. If you want to get fancy, nestle a thin jalapeño slice or a crumble of extra bacon on top—presentation is half the fun!

Side Dishes

Pair these savory bites with cool, creamy dips like ranch or avocado crema. They’re also fabulous served alongside a refreshing salad or with crisp veggie sticks to balance out the richness. For a crowd, set up a snack table with pickled veggies and a charcuterie board for the ultimate appetizer spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Pile the Bacon-Jalapeño Puffs high on a rustic wooden platter, nestle them in cupcake liners for a party tray, or skewer them on cocktail picks for elegant finger food. For game day, serve them in mini muffin wrappers for a grab-and-go snack; at holiday time, arrange in a wreath shape for festive flair!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Bacon-Jalapeño Puffs store beautifully if you have any (no promises!). Simply place them in an airtight container in the fridge; they’ll keep well for up to three days. Let them cool completely to prevent sogginess before packing them away.

Freezing

If you want to prep ahead, freeze the formed cheese balls (before baking) on a baking sheet, then move to a resealable freezer bag. When you’re ready, assemble on crackers and bake straight from frozen—just add an extra minute or two to the time.

Reheating

To reheat already assembled and baked Bacon-Jalapeño Puffs, arrange on a baking sheet and warm in a 325ºF oven for about five minutes, or until heated through. Avoid the microwave to keep those crackers from getting soft.

FAQs

Can I make Bacon-Jalapeño Puffs in advance?

Absolutely! You can prepare the cheese balls and keep them in the fridge, covered, for up to 24 hours before assembling and baking. This is perfect for getting ahead on party planning or weeknight treats.

Are there substitutions for RITZ Crackers?

Certainly! Any sturdy, buttery cracker will do, but RITZ offers that melt-in-your-mouth quality. If you’re gluten-free, opt for a gluten-free cracker—just make sure it’s not too delicate to handle the toppings.

How spicy are Bacon-Jalapeño Puffs?

The heat is pretty mild if you remove the jalapeño seeds and use just a pinch of cayenne. If you love a fiery kick, leave in some seeds or add a bit more cayenne to liven things up!

Can I use pre-cooked bacon?

You can, but cooking fresh bacon in the skillet and sautéing your jalapeños in the drippings maximizes the flavor. If you’re short on time, ready-to-crumble bacon works in a pinch; just sauté your jalapeño in a little butter or oil instead.

What’s the best way to transport these Puffs?

After baking, let them cool a few minutes, then carefully layer in a flat, airtight container. If you’re traveling, wait to garnish until you arrive for the freshest look and flavor.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for that crowd-pleasing, crave-worthy party snack, Bacon-Jalapeño Puffs are about to become your new favorite go-to. They’re easy, fun, and unbelievably tasty, with just the right balance of creamy, spicy, and crunchy. Give them a try at your next gathering—they’ll steal the show!

Bacon-Jalapeño Puffs Recipe

★★★★★

5.3 from 22 reviews

Author: lilan
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 36 puffs 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Bacon-Jalapeño Puffs are a delicious and savory appetizer perfect for any gathering. The combination of crispy bacon, spicy jalapeño, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese baked on RITZ Crackers creates a flavor explosion in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Bacon-Jalapeño Mixture:

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)

Additional:

36 RITZ Crackers

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Heat oven to 350ºF.
Cook Bacon: Cook bacon in medium skillet until crisp. Remove bacon from skillet, reserving drippings; drain on paper towels.
Sauté Jalapeños: Sauté jalapeño peppers in bacon drippings until crisp-tender. Drain on paper towels.
Prepare Cheese Mixture: Mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and ground red pepper until blended.
Combine Ingredients: Crumble bacon and mix with jalapeños into the cheese mixture. Roll into 36 balls.
Assemble Puffs: Place crackers on a baking sheet and top each with a cheese ball.
Bake: Bake for 5 minutes or until heated through.

Notes

For extra heat, leave some jalapeño seeds in the mixture.
These puffs can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 puff
Calories: 90
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 140mg
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 3.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 4g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 20mg

Keywords: Bacon-Jalapeño Puffs, Appetizer, Party Food, RITZ Crackers, Easy Recipe