Jalape O Popper Grilled Cheese

Looking for more fun twists on a classic grilled cheese? Try this pizza grilled cheese or sloppy joe grilled cheese next!

Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese Recipe

Everybody loves a good jalapeño popper, so why not take those flavors and add them to another classic comfort food? I LOVE grilled cheeses and didn’t really think they could get any better. But adding spicy jalapeños, cool cream cheese, and bacon does just that! It’s the grilled cheese upgrade you never knew you needed. You can make your grilled cheese on a skillet as per usual or make it in the air fryer for easy prep. Personally, this is my favorite way to make it! It turns out so crispy and divine! Either way, you’re going to love this cheesy, spicy, bacon-filled goodness.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Like any homemade sandwich, feel free to swap out the bread, cheese, or toppings to make it just the way you like it! The exact measurements I used to make my jalapeño popper grilled cheese are in the recipe card below.

Jalapeños: These spicy peppers provide a kick of heat and flavor, giving the grilled cheese a signature jalapeño popper taste. Yum! Olive Oil: The olive oil helps sauté the jalapeños, enhancing their flavor and making them tender. Cream Cheese: Cream cheese adds a creamy and tangy element to the filling, reminiscent of traditional jalapeño poppers. Green Onions: Diced to add some mild onion flavor. Garlic Powder: For a little extra savory goodness. You can also use roasted garlic! Colby-Jack Cheese: The shredded Colby-Jack cheese brings gooeyness and a rich blend of flavors. Bacon: Crispy bacon adds a smoky and salty element to the jalapeno popper grilled cheese. Use precooked bacon for easy prep! Bread: I usually go for French bread or sourdough, but you can use any kind you want. Butter: Softened butter is spread on the bread to achieve a golden and crispy exterior during grilling. Garlic Salt (Optional): If used, garlic salt can add an extra layer of garlic flavor and season to the sandwich. Italian Seasoning (Optional): My favorite blend of herbs! They give the jalapeno popper grilled cheese extra flavor and make it smell amazing.

How to Make a Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich

It’s just as easy as making a classic grilled cheese. The only extra step is to roast your jalapenos to really bring out their delicious flavor!

Wash Your Hands: Wash your hands thoroughly after working with jalapeño peppers. Especially after removing the seeds because they can irritate the skin. Remove fewer seeds if you like it really spicy! Roasting Jalapenos: Watch the jalapeños closely as they broil. They can get dark pretty fast! Switch Up the Cheese: I LOVE Colby-Jack cheese in this sandwich but feel free to use any kind of cheese. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, American, and provolone are all great options. Use Any Bread: Sourdough bread is my favorite, but you can also use white or wheat bread. Bakery-style bread would also be delicious, such as Italian bread or artisan bread. Bacon: Use pre-cooked bacon because you can make the sandwich quicker! Low and Slow: Lower heat is the trick to a good grilled cheese. It melts the cheese slowly but doesn’t burn the bread too fast.

If you need to, you can store your sandwich in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Reheat on the stove to get it to taste warm and crispy again! Keep in mind that the longer your grilled cheese sits, the more soggy the bread will become as the cream cheese mixture seeps into it.