Jalapeno Popper Pull-Apart Bread Recipe

Introduction

Jalapeno Popper Pull-Apart Bread is a crowd-pleasing appetizer that combines gooey cheeses, spicy jalapenos, and crispy bacon in soft bread rolls. Perfect for game day or a party snack, this dish is both flavorful and fun to share.

Ingredients

• 4 round rolls (5-6 inches each)
• ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
• 2 medium jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely diced
• 8 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Step 2: Make two lengthwise cuts on the top of each roll in an “X” shape, being careful not to cut through the base so the rolls stay intact.
3. Step 3: Place the cut rolls into a large, 15-inch oven-safe skillet or on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
4. Step 4: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, kosher salt, and chopped parsley. Use some of this mixture to brush inside the cuts of each roll, reserving the rest for later.
5. Step 5: Separate ½ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese and carefully stuff it between the wedges of bread on each roll.
6. Step 6: In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy. Add the heavy whipping cream, diced jalapenos, crumbled bacon, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir until well combined.
7. Step 7: Transfer the cream cheese filling to a piping bag (or a resealable plastic bag with a corner cut off). Pipe about a quarter of the mixture evenly between the wedges of one roll, repeating for all rolls. You can also gently spread it with a knife if preferred.
8. Step 8: Top each roll with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese.
9. Step 9: Brush the reserved butter mixture over the outsides of the bread rolls using a pastry brush.
10. Step 10: Bake for 7 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown.
11. Step 11: Garnish with additional parsley if desired and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• For milder heat, reduce the amount of jalapenos or remove all the seeds completely.
• Try swapping the bacon for cooked sausage or omit it for a vegetarian version.
• Adding a pinch of smoked paprika to the butter mixture can enhance the smoky flavor.
• Use a mix of cheeses like pepper jack or Monterey Jack for extra zing.

Storage

Store any leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, wrap the bread in foil and warm it in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes until heated through and the cheese is melty again.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this recipe in advance?

Yes, you can assemble the rolls and fill them, then cover tightly and refrigerate for a few hours before baking. Bring them to room temperature before baking for best results.

What can I use if I don’t have an oven-safe skillet?

You can use a parchment paper-lined baking sheet instead, which helps with easy cleanup and can fit multiple rolls comfortably.

Jalapeno Popper Pull-Apart Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 87 reviews

Jalapeno Popper Pull-Apart Bread is a deliciously cheesy and spicy appetizer featuring soft rolls filled with a creamy mixture of cream cheese, jalapenos, bacon, and shredded cheeses. The rolls are buttered, stuffed between the wedges, and baked until golden and bubbly, making it perfect for sharing at parties or as a tasty snack.

• Author: Luna
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Bread and Butter Mixture

• 4 round (5-6 inches) rolls
• ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped

Cheese and Filling

• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
• 2 medium jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely diced
• 8 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions

1. Preheat oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the bread.
2. Prepare the rolls. Using a sharp knife, make two lengthwise cuts on the top of each roll forming an X shape, being careful not to cut all the way through the base so the bread wedges stay attached.
3. Place rolls in skillet. Arrange the cut rolls in a large, 15-inch oven-safe skillet or alternatively on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
4. Make butter mixture. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, kosher salt, and chopped parsley, stirring well.
5. Brush inside of rolls. Using a pastry brush, carefully brush the butter mixture inside the cuts of each roll, reserving some for brushing the outside later.
6. Add cheddar cheese between wedges. Separate half a cup of cheddar cheese and stuff it gently between the bread wedges on each roll.
7. Prepare cream cheese filling. In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the room temperature cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add heavy whipping cream, diced jalapenos, crumbled bacon, and shredded mozzarella cheese and mix until well combined.
8. Fill rolls with cream cheese mixture. Transfer the cream cheese mixture to a piping bag and pipe approximately one quarter of it into the wedges of each roll, gently filling without ripping the bread. Alternatively, use a knife to spread the filling carefully.
9. Top with remaining cheddar cheese. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly across the top of each filled roll.
10. Brush outside of rolls. Brush the reserved butter mixture over the outside surfaces of each bread roll to ensure a golden crust.
11. Bake the bread. Place the skillet or baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 7-10 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the tops of the rolls are golden brown.
12. Garnish and serve. Once baked, sprinkle additional fresh parsley on top for garnish and serve warm for an irresistible appetizer or snack.

Notes

• For a milder flavor, reduce the amount of jalapenos or leave the seeds in for extra heat.
• Bacon can be substituted with turkey bacon or omitted for a vegetarian version.
• Using fresh rolls is key for best texture—avoid pre-sliced bread or very dense rolls.
• If you don’t have a piping bag, a resealable plastic bag with the corner cut off works well for filling.
• Leftovers can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes to restore crispiness.

Keywords: jalapeno popper, pull apart bread, cheesy jalapeno bread, appetizer, party food, bacon cheese bread