Baked Jalapeño Poppers ~ perfect low cal, low carb, low fat munchies for any party. Also great for when you feel like a little something spicy, but without the guilt! |
It is game day! Super Bowl parties are about to begin everywhere. Let the shameless, over-the-top consumption of high calorie foods begin! Well, maybe not all of the snacks need to be fat laden, ticking time bombs of high calorie indulgence. This recipe will help out on that front...
If you are still wondering about what else to add to your Super Bowl spread, how about including these little green gems of taste pleasure? These Baked Jalapeño Poppers are a HUGE hit at this house & I think they will be at yours, too. No need to save them for only special occasions. These poppers are such a healthy & diet friendly alternative to the regular battered, deep fried poppers. So, indulge away.
My version of Baked Jalapeño Poppers were inspired by the ones my niece, Leslee Faye, makes. She is living in the Lone Star State & they really know how to cook their Mexican food down there. She is always posting photos on Facebook of all the amazing Mexican food she is creating in her kitchen. I think she is the Queen of grilled, cream cheese/cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped Jalapeño Poppers. Her pictures make me want to hop on a plane & show up at her place for poppers & beer.
Since taking a plane ride to Texas for poppers is so not going to happen, I decided I had to come up with something similar in taste, that would work within my diet. As much as I love bacon & full fat cheeses, I had to figure out how to make the poppers so I could enjoy them without feeling guilty. Here is my guilt free version... Thanks for the inspiration Leslee Faye!
Baked Jalapeño Poppers
makes 24
- 12 Jalapeños ~ split in half & seeded
- 8 oz Cream Cheese ~ Fat-Free or Neufchantel Low-Fat
- 8 slices Brown Sugar Ham sliced lunchmeat - (like Land O'Frost) sliced into thirds
Preheat oven to 375F degrees
Spread cream cheese of choice into the halved jalapenos
Wrap one of the 1/3 sliced ham slices around each of the cream cheese filled jalapenos. Tuck ends under
Place the ham wrapped jalapenos onto a parchment lined cookie sheet & bake them for 20-25 minutes, or until done
Enjoy while hot!
May the best team win!