Popular snack foods like jalapenos poppers have a lot to do with the combination of spicy jalapenos, cheese, and crunchy outside, making it the perfect treat for anyone who enjoys spicy food.
From bacon wrapped to breaded, jalapeno poppers come in many forms, but one thing they all share is their deliciousness.
You may wonder whether you can freeze jalapeno poppers or how to store them if you are making your own batch of jalapeno poppers or have leftovers from a restaurant.
Fortunately, jalapeno poppers have a long shelf life.
So can you freeze jalapeno poppers? Yes, That’s possible! To store them, you simply have to place them in an airtight container or freezer bag after they have been frozen individually on a baking sheet. They are usually good for 9 months when professionally frozen.
You can keep jalapeno poppers fresh and delicious by following these tips.
What Are Jalapeno Poppers?
The pepper is halved, then hollowed out, then used as a jalapeno popper. Jalapeno peppers are filled with cream cheese, spices, cheese, meat, or cheese and other ingredients.
Bacon or breading are possible options for wrapping your popper.
Jalapeno poppers can either be baked or deeply fried depending on your preference. Make your own popper recipe by adding your favorite fillings and coatings.
How To Freeze Jalapeno Poppers
The best way to store jalapeno poppers for maximum freshness is to freeze them if you won’t be eating them right away. Make sure your poppers are properly frozen and stored by following these instructions.
- Lay out parchment paper on a baking sheet or plate.
- Your jalapeno poppers should be laid out in a single layer with a 1/2-inch distance between them. To ensure even freezing, you need the air to flow between them.
- Once frozen completely, place the popper tray into the freezer for 12-24 hours.
- The jalapeno poppers should be stored in an airtight freezer bag or container once they have been frozen. The fries will likely develop freezer burn if left on the baking sheet for too long.
- Put the contents and date on masking tape once you have packed the items. Tape the bags or containers to the freezer so the contents remain fresh.
- You might think this is an unnecessary step because you’ll be able to recall what you froze and when.
- I have, however, thought about this more than a few times and then discovered something in my freezer months later without knowing what it was or when I had frozen it. Be cautious, if possible.
Your poppers will remain intact if you adhere to these steps.
Can You Freeze Jalapeno Poppers Before Cooking?
It may be tempting to freeze extra jalapeno poppers before you cook them if you’re making a large batch of them from scratch.
It is a resounding yes to that question! Jalapeno poppers can absolutely be frozen before they are cooked.
After you have cooked your poppers, you should freeze them before cooking. When you remove them from the freezer, they may need to be baked for a few extra minutes. Jello is not easy to freeze visit Can You Freeze Jello?
How Long Do Jalapeno Poppers Last In The Freezer?
After the jalapeno poppers have been frozen, you should use them within 6-9 months. The flavor and texture may start to change as they age and develop freezer burn.
Can You Cook Jalapeno Poppers From Frozen?
Right from the freezer, you can make jalapeno poppers. Simply follow these directions.
- Put parchment paper on the baking sheet and preheat the oven to 385°F.
- Add only a few tablespoons of cooking oil onto the parchment paper and spread evenly.
- Place your jalapeno poppers on your baking sheet in a single layer after removing them from the freezer.
- The poppers should be baked for 15 minutes.
- Check them at the 15-minute mark. The poppers may need to be rotated or flipped depending on your oven.
- Then, return the baked goods to the oven for another 10-15 minutes, until golden and crispy on the outside.
- After removing the bread from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes before digging in. Despite how tempting it can be to eat them as soon as they are ready, you will be happy if you wait to eat the cheese in the center.
How Long Do Jalapeno Poppers Last In The Fridge?
In order to consume jalapeno poppers within a few days, you may choose to store them in the refrigerator rather than in the freezer. Poppers may last as long as three days once they are stored in the refrigerator.
How To Store Jalapeno Poppers In The Fridge
These instructions may be helpful for storing jalapeno poppers in the refrigerator.
- Find a fridge-safe container that is airtight.
- The bottom of the container should be covered with jalapeno poppers.
- Place plastic wrap over the jalapeno poppers after that layer has been filled.
- Cover the plastic wrap with a second layer of jalapeno poppers.
- Continually layer the container until it is full. The number of poppers you have will determine how many containers you’ll need.
- Cover the top of the poppers tightly with more plastic wrap, then seal the container.
- Put the date and contents of the email on a piece of masking tape with a permanent marker. Glue the tape to the container. By doing this, you’ll know if the poppers are still edible.
- Then store in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
Are Jalapeno Poppers Spicy?
Scoville units are used to measure the spiciness of peppers.
In Scoville Heat Units (SHU), peppers are ranked mild to spiciest based on the number of SHU (Scoville Heat Units) they contain; 2,200,000 is one of the highest marks.
Peppers like Bell and Carolina Reaper measure from 1,400,000-2,200,000 SHU on the Scoville scale, whereas bell peppers are sweet and not at all spicy.
The average Scoville rating for jalapenos is between 2,500 and 8,000 depending on the pepper.
As jalapeno poppers are usually made without seeds and inner flesh, they tend to be milder than if you were to eat the whole pepper.
However, they shouldn’t have too much spice to them since they’ll be topped with cheese and coating, and combined with the cheese, they shouldn’t numb your taste buds.
The spicy flavor can be further masked by using cream cheese or yogurt dipping sauces if you are particularly sensitive to heat.
Can You Use Other Peppers To Make Poppers?
Perhaps you have wondered if different kinds of peppers can be used to make jalapeno poppers. The flavors and spice levels of each pepper will vary.
Jalapeno poppers can also come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Among my favorite alternatives are:
- Poblano peppers have a milder flavor than jalapenos, but they are larger. People who prefer their poppers to be more of an appetizer rather than a snack can benefit from these differences. If you prefer Anaheim peppers, you can do the same.
- A mild alternative is the pepperoncini pepper, with a heat level of about 100-500 SHU. They are slightly smaller than jalapenos, unlike poblanos or Anaheim peppers. You can stuff them with your favorite fillings for a delicious alternative.
- Jalapeno peppers look similar to serrano peppers, but they are spicier and clock in at around 10,000-23,000 Scoville units. People who like their poppers extra spicy will love these peppers.
- My favorite pepper is the Hungarian pepper, which has a spicy kick of about 5,000-10,000 SHU. Yellow in color, they have a sweet and spicy crunch. Due to the skin’s thickness, it can be stuffed as a popper.
What matters is that you can use a variety of delicious peppers to create an entirely unique, flavor-packed popper. Fillings can be creative and you shouldn’t be afraid to try something new.
Do you have a tried and tested recipe for jalapeno or pepper poppers? Share it below!