Halloween Mummy Jalapeño Poppers Recipe
If you’re looking for a fun, spooky, and absolutely delicious appetizer that’s perfect for any Halloween party, you’re going to love this Halloween Mummy Jalapeño Poppers Recipe. Picture spicy jalapeños stuffed with creamy cheese, all wrapped up in golden crescent dough strips to look like cute little mummies with candy eyeballs staring back at you—how can you resist? I promise, this recipe isn’t just adorable; it tastes amazing and is surprisingly easy to pull off. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step so your Halloween snacking is a total hit!
Why This Recipe Works
- Balanced Flavors: The creamy, cheesy filling cools the heat of the jalapeños perfectly without dulling the spicy kick.
- Eye-Catching Presentation: The mummy wrapping looks festive and unique, sure to wow both kids and adults alike.
- Easy Assembly: You don’t need fancy equipment or super skills—just simple ingredients and some patience.
- Versatility: You can customize the filling or use sweet mini peppers for a milder version tailored to your taste.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Halloween Mummy Jalapeño Poppers Recipe brings together ingredients that balance heat, creaminess, and a bit of crunch. Each plays a crucial role in making these poppers so addictive and fun to eat. I always recommend fresh jalapeños for that perfect spicy bite, but feel free to switch up the peppers depending on your heat tolerance. Here’s what I use and why:
- Jalapeño Peppers: These give just the right amount of heat and a crisp snap once baked, but you can swap for mini sweet peppers if you want a gentler flavor.
- Cream Cheese: Using room temperature cream cheese ensures a smooth, spreadable filling with zero lumps.
- Monterey Jack Cheese: Adds that gooey, melty texture and a mild tanginess that pairs beautifully with the cream cheese.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: These spices bring a subtle savory depth without overwhelming the fresh pepper flavor.
- Kosher Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the creaminess and spice.
- Paprika: Adds a touch of smokiness and color.
- Ground Black Pepper: A pinch for mild heat and flavor complexity.
- Crescent Roll Dough Sheet: The mummy wrapping isn’t just for looks—the dough bakes up light and golden, adding a buttery crunch to every bite.
- Egg and Milk (Egg Wash): Gives the dough a gorgeous golden shine as it bakes.
- Mini Candy Eyeballs: The fun finishing touch that transforms these poppers into spooky mummies!
Make It Your Way
I love adding a little extra flair to this Halloween Mummy Jalapeño Poppers Recipe by tweaking the filling or switching up the peppers—this recipe is super forgiving and versatile, so don’t be shy. If you’re feeding a crowd with varying spice preferences, half jalapeños and half sweet mini peppers is a great combo that keeps everyone happy.
- Variation: Sometimes I throw in a bit of cooked bacon or finely chopped green onions into the cheese mixture for a smoky, savory twist that everyone raves about.
- Make it vegetarian: The recipe is already meat-free, but you can add extra herbs like chopped cilantro or parsley to brighten it up.
- Gluten-free option: Try using gluten-free crescent dough or puff pastry if you’re catering to gluten sensitivities.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Halloween Mummy Jalapeño Poppers Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Peppers Like a Pro
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, carefully slice your jalapeños in half lengthwise and scoop out all the seeds and membranes. This step is crucial because it controls the heat level—removing the membranes makes the poppers more enjoyable for those who don’t want a face-melting experience. I use a small spoon or even my fingers for this, but watch out because the oils can be spicy. Pro tip: wear gloves if you have sensitive skin or avoid touching your face while working.
Step 2: Make That Creamy, Flavorful Filling
In a medium bowl, mash together the cream cheese and shredded Monterey Jack until fully combined. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, paprika, and a pinch of black pepper, then stir until smooth and well distributed. One trick I’ve learned is making sure the cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing—this makes it easier to blend everything without lumps and helps the filling spread easily into the pepper halves.
Step 3: Fill and Wrap Your Mummies
Spoon the cheese filling generously into each pepper half, smoothing it out so it’s evenly packed but not overflowing. Next, roll out your crescent dough sheet and cut it into thin strips with a pizza cutter or sharp knife. Now the fun part: wrap 2 to 3 strips of dough around each stuffed pepper, leaving a small space near the top where the candy eyeballs will go later. This is what really makes it look like a mummy! Place them cut side up on your baking sheet. If your dough sheet has perforations, don’t forget to press those seams together firmly so they don’t split apart while baking.
Step 4: Brush, Bake, and Bring on the Cuteness
Whisk together the egg and milk for an egg wash, then lightly brush it over each wrapped popper. This gives your mummies that gorgeous golden color and slight shine when baked. Pop them into the oven and bake until the peppers are tender and the dough turns beautifully golden brown—small peppers usually take around 14 to 16 minutes, while the larger ones might need up to 28 minutes. Let them cool just a bit before adding the candy eyeballs on top. I find waiting about 5 minutes avoids melting the eyes but keeps everything warm and inviting.
Tips from My Kitchen
- Handle Peppers Carefully: Always wash your hands after touching jalapeños or wear gloves to avoid accidental chili burns.
- Seal Crescent Perforations: If your crescent dough has seams, press them firmly together with your fingers before slicing to prevent unraveling in the oven.
- Don’t Overfill: Overstuffing the peppers makes wrapping tricky and can cause leakage during baking.
- Add Eyes Last: Place the candy eyeballs only after the poppers have cooled slightly to keep their shape and avoid melting.
How to Serve Halloween Mummy Jalapeño Poppers Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep garnishes simple because these little mummies are showstoppers on their own, but sometimes I sprinkle a touch of smoked paprika or finely chopped fresh cilantro around the plate for a pop of color and an extra aroma boost. A small drizzle of cool ranch dressing on the side pairs surprisingly well with the spicy cream cheese filling, too.
Side Dishes
Serving these Halloween Mummy Jalapeño Poppers alongside crisp vegetable sticks, guacamole, or a fresh autumn salad rounds out the snack table nicely. For bigger gatherings, I like setting out a variety of dips—think tangy salsa, creamy avocado, or spicy chipotle sauce—for guests to mix and match flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For our Halloween parties, I’ve arranged the mummies on a platter lined with mozzarella “spider webs” made by drizzling melted cheese with a toothpick or arranging shredded cheese in web shapes. Adding plastic spiders or even creepy Halloween napkins around the plate amps up the fun factor and makes the whole spread extra festive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I’ve found the best way to store leftover Halloween Mummy Jalapeño Poppers is to place them in an airtight container and keep them refrigerated for up to 3 days. Just be sure to add the candy eyeballs fresh after reheating because they don’t hold up well when stored.
Freezing
If you want to prep ahead, you can freeze the wrapped, unbaked poppers on a baking sheet lined with parchment; once frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, just add a few extra minutes to the baking time and skip adding the eyes until after reheating. I’ve done this, and it works wonderfully for busy party days.
Reheating
To reheat, pop the leftovers in a preheated 350°F oven for about 10 minutes to crisp up the dough again. Avoid microwaving if you can since it can make the dough soggy; the oven is the way to keep that fresh-baked texture you want.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of peppers for this Halloween Mummy Jalapeño Poppers Recipe?
Absolutely! If you want a milder popper, mini sweet peppers work wonderfully and add color variation. For more heat, serrano peppers or even small hot chili peppers can be used, but adjust the filling to balance the spiciness.
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Can I prepare these poppers ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the poppers, wrap them, and keep them in the fridge for a few hours before baking. Just add the candy eyeballs right after baking so they don’t melt or lose their shape.
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What if I can’t find mini candy eyeballs?
If mini candy eyeballs are tricky to find, you can make your own using small dots of cream cheese with tiny dots of black olive or food coloring for the pupils, or even use edible markers on white fondant circles.
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How spicy are these Halloween Mummy Jalapeño Poppers?
The spiciness depends largely on your peppers and how much of the membranes you remove. Removing all seeds and membranes will reduce the heat significantly, making the dish more accessible to all palates.
Final Thoughts
This Halloween Mummy Jalapeño Poppers Recipe has become my go-to when I want to impress friends with something fun and festive that tastes just as good as it looks. The creamy filling combined with the slight crunch of spicy pepper and buttery dough is downright addicting, and who doesn’t want to see those silly little eyeballs staring back at them? If you give this recipe a try, I’m confident it’ll be a crowd-pleaser at your Halloween celebrations—plus, it’s just plain fun to make. So grab some jalapeños, roll up your sleeves, and prepare to wow your guests with these spooky little bites!
PrintHalloween Mummy Jalapeño Poppers Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 24 jalapeno poppers
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Halloween Jalapeno Poppers Mummy are a spooky and delicious appetizer perfect for Halloween parties. Stuffed with a creamy blend of cream cheese and Monterey Jack, seasoned with garlic, onion powder, paprika, and wrapped in crescent roll dough, these poppers bake until golden and tender. Finished with cute mini candy eyeballs, they are sure to delight both kids and adults.
Ingredients
Peppers and Filling
- 1 pound jalapeno peppers (8 to 12 jalapenos depending on size) (or mini sweet peppers, see Notes)
- 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- 5 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Pinch ground black pepper
Dough and Topping
- 1 crescent roll dough sheet without perforations (8 ounces)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 16 – 24 mini candy eyeballs
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line a rimmed baking pan with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Prepare Peppers: Cut each jalapeno pepper in half lengthwise, then use a small spoon to remove and discard the seeds and membranes, creating hollow halves ready for filling.
- Make Filling: In a medium bowl, mash together the cream cheese, shredded Monterey Jack, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, paprika, and black pepper with a fork until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Fill Peppers: Spoon the cream cheese mixture into each pepper half evenly, filling them generously but not overflowing.
- Prepare Dough Strips: Roll out the crescent roll dough sheet on a work surface, then use a pizza cutter to cut the dough crosswise into thin strips suitable for wrapping the peppers.
- Wrap Peppers: Wrap 2 to 3 strips of dough around each filled pepper half, leaving space near the top for placing the candy eyeballs later. Arrange the wrapped peppers cut side up on the prepared baking pan.
- Apply Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk to make an egg wash, then use a pastry brush to lightly brush the wrapped peppers, which helps achieve a golden brown finish when baked.
- Bake: Place the baking pan in the oven and bake until the peppers are tender and the dough is golden brown. Smaller peppers will take about 16 minutes; larger peppers may need up to 28 minutes.
- Cool and Decorate: Allow the poppers to cool for 5 minutes after baking, then place two mini candy eyeballs on each popper to complete their mummy appearance. Serve warm for best taste.
Notes
- If you cannot find a crescent roll dough sheet without perforations, seal the perforations by pressing them together firmly with your fingers before cutting into strips to prevent the dough from coming apart during baking.
- Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing to avoid clumps and to help the filling blend smoothly and evenly.
- To substitute mini sweet peppers, use 1 pound (about 16 peppers) which will yield around 32 pieces. You’ll need 2 rimmed baking pans, 2 packages of crescent roll dough, and 64 candy eyeballs. Bake these at 350 degrees F for 18 to 22 minutes until peppers are tender and dough is golden brown.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popper
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg