Get ready to meet your new party MVP: Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups. These crispy, creamy, spicy bites take everything you love about classic jalapeno poppers, wrap them up in a golden wonton shell, and make them perfectly poppable for parties or snacking. If you love a little crunch, a little heat, and a whole lot of cheesy goodness, you’re about to be hooked!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Extra Crunch Factor: Golden baked wonton wrappers turn irresistibly crisp, giving every bite that delightful crunch you won’t get from a regular popper.
- Big Flavor, Tiny Package: Each cup is loaded with creamy cheese, smoky bacon, and spicy jalapenos—everything you want, all packed into a pop-able bite.
- Perfect For Sharing: Whether it’s game day, a potluck, or a casual night with friends, these Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups are always the first snack to disappear.
- Quick & Easy: No fussy breading or frying—just simple assembly and a quick bake, so you get savory snacks fast!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t you love when a handful of everyday ingredients transforms into something totally swoon-worthy? Here, every item plays a starring role—each one adding its own flavor, texture, or eye-catching color to these Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups.
- Wonton Wrappers: These make the perfect crispy vessel—find them in your grocery’s produce section, usually near the tofu.
- Cream Cheese (softened): The creamy, tangy base that binds the filling and creates that iconic popper texture.
- Sour Cream: Adds an irresistible velvety finish and a touch of brightness to balance the spice.
- Bacon (cooked & crumbled): Smoky, salty, and crunchy—bacon takes every bite up a notch. Remember to reserve a little for topping!
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Melty, orange cheddar gives body and gooeyness. Reserve a sprinkle for that gooey golden topping.
- Jalapeños (seeded & chopped): Fresh jalapenos bring the heat and a pop of color. Control the spice level by keeping or discarding the seeds—your call!
Variations
One of the best things about Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups? You can easily switch things up to suit your mood, spice tolerance, or what’s in the fridge—they’re endlessly adaptable!
- Spicy Southwest: Swap in pepper jack cheese and sprinkle with a pinch of chili powder for a Southwest kick.
- Vegetarian Twist: Skip the bacon and stir in some charred corn or sautéed bell peppers for a meat-free version with plenty of pop.
- Extra Creamy: Add a spoonful of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt for a super-luxurious filling.
- Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free wonton wrappers or mini bell peppers as your cups for a celiac-friendly snack.
How to Make Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups
Step 1: Prep Your Muffin Tin & Wonton Cups
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Generously spray a standard muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray—this keeps the wonton cups from sticking so they pop right out crisp and golden. Press one wonton wrapper into each muffin cup, folding and pleating to form a little edible bowl. Bake for 10 minutes, just until lightly browned (they’ll crisp further later!).
Step 2: Mix Up the Creamy, Cheesy Filling
While the wonton cups are baking, stir together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, most of the cooked bacon, almost all the cheddar cheese, and your chopped jalapenos. The mixture should be thick and scoopable—smells amazing already!
Step 3: Fill the Cups & Top With Bacon and Cheese
Once the wonton cups have par-baked and cooled slightly, add a big spoonful of your creamy jalapeno-bacon-cheese mixture to each one. Don’t be shy—fill them up! Sprinkle with the reserved bacon and cheddar so every bite has a cheesy, crispy crown.
Step 4: Bake Again Until Golden & Melty
Pop the filled cups back into the oven for another 8–10 minutes. The edges turn deep golden, the cheese melts into gooey goodness, and your kitchen will smell like pure party magic. Let cool for a couple minutes—and then just try to resist diving in!
Pro Tips for Making Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups
- Crispy Cup Secret: Let the wonton wrappers cool a couple minutes after the first bake before filling—they stay crispier this way!
- Cream Cheese Softening Hack: If you forgot to set out your cream cheese, just zap it in the microwave for 20–30 seconds for ultra-smooth mixing.
- Control the Heat: Want things spicy? Leave in a few jalapeno seeds. For a milder bite, remove all the seeds and membranes.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: The filling can be prepared a day ahead and chilled—the wonton cups are best filled and baked just before serving for ultimate crisp!
How to Serve Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups
Garnishes
Add a scattering of freshly sliced green onions, extra crumbled bacon, or even a tiny dollop of sour cream on top for a bright finishing touch. For a pop of color, sprinkle with chopped parsley or cilantro—the green against the cheese is gorgeous!
Side Dishes
These bites pair beautifully with fresh, crunchy veggies like celery and carrot sticks. I also love to set them out with a side of cool ranch or blue cheese dip, or as part of a larger appetizer spread with chips, guac, and salsa to balance out the heat.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, arrange your Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups on a big platter lined with shredded lettuce or colorful tortilla chips. Or serve them atop a marble board with picks for easy grabbing. You can even skewer two or three together for a playful appetizer tower!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers (when they exist!) keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The wonton shells may soften a bit, but the flavor is just as fabulous the next day.
Freezing
You can freeze Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups before the second bake—just assemble, skip the final bake, and store tightly wrapped in a single layer. Thaw, then finish baking just before serving for maximum freshness!
Reheating
To bring back that signature crunch, reheat the cups in a 350°F oven for 6–8 minutes or until warmed through. Skip the microwave if you can—the oven keeps the wontons from getting soggy.
FAQs
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Can I make Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups ahead of time?
Absolutely! The creamy filling can be mixed up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated. For the best texture, assemble and bake the wonton cups just before serving—this way, they stay deliciously crisp and fresh.
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Are there any alternatives to bacon for this recipe?
Yes! You can substitute turkey bacon for a lighter bite or leave out bacon entirely and replace it with sautéed mushrooms or a sprinkle of smoked paprika for a vegetarian-friendly twist.
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How do I keep the wonton cups crispy?
The trick is to give the wrappers a quick first bake before filling, and don’t let the filling sit in them too long before the second bake. Fill and finish baking right before serving for the crunchiest results!
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What if I can’t find wonton wrappers?
If wonton wrappers are unavailable, try using mini filo (phyllo) shells or even halved mini bell peppers as a creative alternative. Both work as perfect little boats for the creamy, spicy filling.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something irresistible about Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups—so easy, so craveable, and always crowd-pleasing. Next time you need a show-stopping appetizer that’s secretly simple, give these a try. I guarantee they’ll bring spice, crunch, and surprise to your table—one delicious bite at a time!
Print
Crunchy Taco Cups Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups are a delicious appetizer with a spicy kick. Crispy wonton cups filled with a creamy mixture of cream cheese, sour cream, bacon, cheddar cheese, and jalapeños make for a perfect party snack.
Ingredients
Wonton Cups:
- 12 wonton wrappers
Filling:
- 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 c. sour cream
- 12 oz. bacon, cooked & crumbled (reserve 2 Tbsp.)
- 1 c. shredded cheddar cheese (reserve 2 Tbsp.)
- 3–4 jalapeños, seeded and chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare wonton cups: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray muffin pan with cooking spray. Place one wonton wrapper in each muffin cup; bake 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and cool slightly.
- Prepare filling: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, stir together cream cheese, sour cream, bacon, cheddar cheese, and chopped jalapeños.
- Fill and bake: Spoon filling into wonton cups, then sprinkle with reserved bacon and cheese. Return to oven and bake for an additional 8-10 minutes, until wontons are golden brown and cheese is melted.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 wonton cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
