Pop these easy bite-size jalapeno poppers into the oven

By: Chula King

Tallahassee Democrat

Wonton Jalapeño Popper Bites.

Photo By: Chula King

 

Wonton Jalapeño Popper Bites
Total Prep Time – 10 minutes: Total cook time – 15 minutes
Makes 24 Wonton Jalapeño Popper Bites
Wonton Cups:
24 wonton wraps
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
Jalapeño Popper Filling:
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature (See Note 1)
1/2 cup (4 ounces) sour cream (See Note 2)
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded extra sharp Cheddar cheese
8 ounces bacon, cooked, drained, and crumbled
3 jalapeños, membrane and seeds removed, finely chopped
Directions
Preheat oven to 350° F.
Brush mini-muffin pan cups with 1 teaspoon of the vegetable oil. Press wonton wraps into mini-muffin pan cups. Brush with remaining vegetable oil. (See Note 3)

Bake in preheated oven for 6 to 8 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Remove from oven to cool.
Jalapeño Popper Filling:
Add cream cheese and sour cream to medium bowl. Beat on high with electric mixer until smooth, about 30 seconds.

Reserve 2 tablespoons each of Cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon. Reserve 1 tablespoon of chopped jalapeños.
Add remaining Cheddar cheese, bacon, and jalapeños to cream cheese/sour cream mixture. Beat on low until well combined, about 30 seconds.
Spoon 2 teaspoons of Jalapeño Popper Filling into each of the wonton cups. (See Note 4)
Sprinkle reserved Cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and chopped jalapeños on top.
Bake in preheated 350° F oven for 6 to 8 minutes, or until cheese is melted and filling is hot.
Cool for 10 minutes before serving. (See Note 5)
Yield: 24 Wonton Jalapeño Popper Bites.

Recipe Notes:
1. I used low-fat cream cheese, but you could also use regular cream cheese.
2. I used low-fat sour cream, but you could also use regular sour cream.
3. To easily fit the wonton wraps into the mini-muffin pan cups, I cut 1/2-inch slits on two opposite sides. This allows the wonton wraps to more easily overlap and fit into the mini-muffin cups.
4. I used a 2-teaspoon or #100 ice cream scoop to fill the wonton cups. It was the perfect size!