Take your grilled cheese sandwich to the next level! With melty cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and a fresh jalapeno and cream cheese filling on buttered bread grilled until golden brown, this Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese is a real winner.
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Jalapeno Grilled Cheese
We love a kicked-up grilled cheese sandwich! It’s fun to experiment with flavors and see what new ideas we can come up with, and for sure this Jalapeno Popper Bacon Grilled Cheese recipe is a keeper. It’s spicy but not too spicy (reduce the heat by using fewer peppers and be sure to remove all of the seeds and the white ribs inside the peppers), creamy, cheesy, and of course, the delicious crispy bacon and grilled bread bring it all together.
Do you love spicy jalapenos as much as we do? Check out these recipes! Jalapeno Popper Quiche | Instant Pot Mexican Corn Dip | Jalapeno BBQ Instant Pot Chicken Wings | Jalapeno Popper Chicken | Artichoke Jalapeno Dip | Air Fryer Jalapeno Popper Bites
The Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make Jalapeno Popper Bacon Grilled Cheese (the exact measurements and full recipe instructions are below in the easy-to-print recipe card):
Jalapenos – we used 3 fresh jalapenos for this recipe, but you can use fewer if desired.
Cream cheese – soften your cream cheese well before making the filling so it’s easier to stir.
Garlic powder
Cheddar cheese – use fresh cheddar sliced, or buy deli-style pre-sliced cheese.
Bread – we tried both fresh baked rustic white bread and regular white sandwich bread. Both were very good, so you should be able to use any bread you like for grilled cheese.
Bacon – fully cook the bacon until crispy before making the sandwiches.
Butter – the butter should be softened and ready to spread onto the bread. Use real butter, not margarine.
How to Make Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
In a small mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, chopped jalapeños, and garlic powder.
Lay out two slices of bread on a clean surface and top each with one slice of cheese. Divide the jalapeño filling onto each sandwich and spread out edge-to-edge.
Cut the slices of bacon in half and place onto the sandwiches over top of the jalapeño filling.
Top with remaining slices of cheese and the remaining slices of bread to complete two sandwiches.
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Spread butter onto the outward-facing sides of the bread on each sandwich. Place the sandwiches onto the skillet and grill until golden brown, then flip and grill the other side until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Cut the sandwiches in half on the diagonal and serve hot. Perfect with tomato soup!
Grilled Cheese Variations
Cheese – Try other types of cheese if you wish, such as pepper jack, colby, mozzarella, American, or a blend of cheeses.
Pickles jalapenos – Instead of fresh peppers, you can use pickled. The flavor will be different, but still delicious.
Mayo instead of butter – If you’re out of butter, a thin spread of mayonnaise on the outside of the bread will work in place of butter to create that familiar golden brown crispy outside of a grilled cheese sandwich.
How to Store Leftover Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Keep the leftover grilled cheese sandwiches in an airtight food storage container or in zip-top bags. Refrigerate for up to three days. To reheat, we found it best to pan-fry over low heat until warmed through.
More Jalapeno Recipes You’ll Love
Easy Jalapeno Popper Cornbread
Bacon Jalapeno Popper Deviled Eggs
Jalapeno Popper Bacon Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 2-3 Jalapenos chopped and seeds and membranes removed
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 slices of cheddar cheese
- 4 slices bread
- 3 slices bacon fully cooked
- 4 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, chopped jalapeños, and garlic powder.
- Lay out two slices of bread on a clean surface and top each with one slice of cheese.
- Divide the jalapeño filling onto each sandwich and spread out edge-to-edge.
- Cut the slices of bacon in half and place onto the sandwiches over top of the jalapeño filling.
- Top with remaining slices of cheese and the remaining slices of bread to complete two sandwiches.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat.
- Spread butter onto the outward-facing sides of the bread on each sandwich. Place the sandwiches onto the skillet and grill until golden brown, then flip and grill the other side until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Serve hot.