Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeños

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeños are a great appetizer for the holidays or your next game day gathering. It can take some time to assemble these tasty bites but they really could not be easier. If you are pressed for time you can have them all prepped and stashed in the refrigerator just waiting to be baked off right before your hungry guests arrive. These will go really fast so doubling the recipe is a good idea but I find people will eat as many as you make so you just have to draw the line somewhere. 

Ingredients

• 20 whole fresh Jalapeños, 2-3 inches in size
• 2 cubes Cream Cheese, softened
• 1/2 shredded Parmesan cheese (optional)
• 1 pound Bacon, sliced into thirds

Directions

I suggest putting on some latex gloves while prepping the jalapeños. Cut the jalapeños in half, length-wise. With a spoon, remove the seeds and white membrane. If you want more heat left in your jalapeños you can leave some of the membrane.  Mix the Parmesan with the cream cheese if using and smear softened cheese mix into each jalapeño half. Wrap jalapeño with bacon pieces (1/3 slice). Secure by sticking toothpick through the middle.

Bake on a pan with a rack in a 375-degree oven for 20-25 minutes. After 20 minutes if bacon doesn't look brown enough, just turn on the broiler for a couple of minutes to finish it off. The jalapeños should still have some bite to it.

Serve immediately, or at room temperature.

Recipe adapted from here.