Bacon Jalapeños Recipe

Jalapeños: Fresh, spicy peppers that add a kick to the dish.

Vegan cream cheese: A dairy-free alternative to traditional cream cheese, providing a creamy texture.

Vegan bacon: Plant-based bacon that mimics the flavor and texture of traditional bacon.

Olive oil: Used to brush the wrapped jalapeños, helping to crisp up the vegan bacon.

When wrapping the jalapeños with vegan bacon, ensure the bacon is tightly secured around the cream cheese filling. This will help prevent the cheese from oozing out during baking. Additionally, for an extra crispy texture, you can place the wrapped jalapeños under the broiler for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.

• jalapeños - Substitute with mini bell peppers: Mini bell peppers offer a milder heat level and a similar crunch, making them a good alternative for those who prefer less spice.

• vegan cream cheese - Substitute with mashed avocado: Mashed avocado provides a creamy texture and rich flavor, while also adding healthy fats to the dish.

• vegan bacon - Substitute with smoked tempeh strips: Smoked tempeh strips offer a similar smoky flavor and crispy texture, making them an excellent plant-based alternative to vegan bacon.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a suitable replacement for olive oil in cooking and baking.

• Allow the jalapeños to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make them soggy.

• Place the cooled bacon-wrapped jalapeños in an airtight container. If stacking them, use parchment paper between layers to avoid sticking.

• Store the container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.

• For longer storage, you can freeze the jalapeños. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. This prevents them from sticking together.

• Once frozen, transfer the jalapeños to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date for easy tracking.

• When ready to enjoy, reheat the jalapeños in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and crispy. Avoid microwaving as it can make the bacon less crispy.

• If you prefer, you can also reheat them in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes for a quick and crispy result.

• Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover bacon jalapeños on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the vegan bacon is crispy and the vegan cream cheese is heated through. This method ensures the jalapeños remain crispy and delicious.

• Air Fryer Method: Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the bacon jalapeños in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Heat for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they don't overcook. This method is quick and keeps the jalapeños crispy.

• Microwave Method: Place the bacon jalapeños on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to prevent splattering. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking after the first minute. This method is the fastest but may result in slightly softer jalapeños.

• Skillet Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of olive oil to the pan. Place the bacon jalapeños in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even heating. This method adds a bit of extra crispiness to the vegan bacon.

• Oven: Used to bake the jalapeños at the specified temperature of 400°F (200°C).

• Baking sheet: Provides a flat surface to place the jalapeños on for baking.

• Parchment paper: Prevents the jalapeños from sticking to the baking sheet and makes for easy cleanup.

• Knife: Essential for halving and seeding the jalapeños.

• Spoon: Useful for filling each jalapeño half with vegan cream cheese.

• Basting brush: Used to brush olive oil onto the wrapped jalapeños.

• Cooling rack: Allows the jalapeños to cool slightly before serving.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for cutting and preparing the jalapeños.

Prepare the filling: Mix the vegan cream cheese with herbs and spices in advance to save time during assembly.

Pre-cut jalapeños: Halve and seed the jalapeños the night before and store them in an airtight container.

Pre-cook bacon: Lightly cook the vegan bacon beforehand to reduce baking time and ensure crispiness.

Use a piping bag: Fill a piping bag with the vegan cream cheese for quick and mess-free filling of the jalapeños.

Batch processing: Line up all the jalapeños and fill them in one go, then wrap them all at once to streamline the process.