This Cowboy Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese is loaded with roasted jalapeños, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and homemade Cowboy cream cheese! It takes my Roasted Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese to the next level with the addition of the herbaceous, creamy Cowboy spread. My collection of cowboy butter recipes continues to grow, and I can’t decide on a favorite- they are all so good!
What Is Cowboy Cream Cheese?
Cowboy Cream Cheese is a bold, savory homemade spread made with tangy mustard, herbs, garlic, and a kick of cayenne pepper. It’s a variation of my popular Cowboy butter, so I just had to try it with cream cheese! This spread is perfect for crackers, burgers, or dipping vegetables, and it adds amazing flavor to the Cowboy Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Jalapeño Peppers: Roasting the jalapeño peppers brings out their flavor and makes them extra tender. The heat from the oven helps the skin get a little charred, which adds a smoky taste. Roasting also softens the peppers, making them easier to chop and mix into your grilled cheese for that perfect, spicy kick.
- Cowboy Cream Cheese: The Cowboy cream cheese spread is one of the best parts of this grilled cheese! It’s creamy, tangy, and full of flavor from a mix of herbs and spices. This spread takes the sandwich to the next level. Plus, it’s easy to make and goes great on so many other dishes, too!
- Bacon: I add two strips of bacon to each sandwich, but feel free to use as many pieces of bacon as you crave! Check out how to bake bacon for perfectly crispy bacon and easy clean-up every time! Or, if preferred, skip the bacon. The sandwich will still be delicious!
- Cheese: Mild cheddar is perfect for this grilled cheese because it melts well and has a smooth, creamy taste without being too sharp. It lets the other flavors, like the jalapeños and Cowboy cream cheese, shine through. But if you like stronger flavors, you can try other cheeses like sharp cheddar, mozzarella, or even pepper jack for a little extra spice. Just make sure to choose a cheese that melts nicely!
- Bread: Texas toast is thick, soft, and perfect for holding all the yummy ingredients in this grilled cheese. If you don’t have Texas toast, you can use other kinds of bread like my simple sourdough bread, whole wheat, or even thick sandwich bread. Just make sure the bread is sturdy enough to hold all the melted cheese and fixings!
Do You Have To Roast The Jalapeño Peppers For Cowboy Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese?
No, you don’t have to roast the jalapeño peppers, but roasting them adds more flavor! When you roast jalapeños, they get a smoky taste and become softer, which makes them easier to chop and mix into your sandwich. Plus, you can roast them in an air fryer if you don’t want to turn on your oven! If you are in a hurry, you can use fresh jalapeños instead. They will still give your grilled cheese a spicy kick, but roasting them makes the sandwich even better!
How To Make Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese In An Air Fryer
Just like you can roast jalapeño peppers in an air fryer, you can also make grilled cheese in your air fryer! Here is how to make this cowboy jalapeño popper grilled cheese in an air fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F and let it preheat for a few minutes.
- Assemble the grilled cheese: Prepare your sandwich with the roasted jalapeños, Cowboy cream cheese, bacon, cheddar cheese, and buttered bread.
- Place the sandwich in the air fryer: Carefully place the sandwich in the air fryer basket. You can use parchment paper if needed to prevent sticking, but make sure it doesn’t block the airflow.
- Air fry the sandwich: Cook the sandwich for 4-5 minutes, then flip it and cook for another 3-4 minutes until both sides are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Tip: Keep an eye on it during the cooking process, as air fryer models can vary, and you want the sandwich to get perfectly crispy without burning.
How To Store & Reheat Cowboy Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese
To store your Cowboy Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese, first let it cool to room temperature. Once cooled, wrap it in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to eat, reheat it in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes or heat it in a skillet on medium heat until warm and crispy. This will bring back the delicious, crunchy texture!
Cowboy Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
Roasted Jalapeño Peppers
- 4 medium jalapeños, stems removed, sliced in half, seeded
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Grilled Cheese
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, divided
- ½ cup Cowboy cream cheese, room temperature, divided
- 4 strips bacon, cooked, divided
- 1 cup (113 g) mild cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
- 4 slices Texas toast, or your bread of choice
Instructions
Roast the Jalapeños
- Preheat oven to 425°F.* Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Brush the jalapeño halves with olive oil on all sides and place them cut-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Roast for about 15 minutes, or until the skins begin to char slightly.
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Once cool, roughly chop the jalapeños and set aside.
Assemble the Sandwiches
- Butter one side of a slice of bread. Flip it over and spread half of the Cowboy cream cheese (about ¼ cup) on the unbuttered side.
- Top with half of the chopped jalapeños, 2 slices of bacon, and ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Butter one side of a second slice of bread, then place it on top of the sandwich, buttered side facing out.
- Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make the second sandwich.
- Heat a skillet over medium-low heat.** Add the sandwiches and cook for 3–5 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Brush the jalapeño peppers with olive oil (just like you would for oven roasting).
- Place the peppers in a single layer in the basket of your air fryer.
- Cook for 7 minutes at 425°F, or until the skins begin to char slightly.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
- Assemble the sandwich with the roasted jalapeños, Cowboy cream cheese, bacon, cheddar cheese, and buttered bread.
- Place the sandwich in the basket of your air fryer. You can use parchment paper if needed to prevent sticking, but make sure it doesn’t block the airflow.
- Air fry the sandwich for 4-5 minutes, then flip it and cook for another 3-4 minutes until both sides are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
This grilled cheese is awesome! It is so flavorful, and I love the roasted jalapeno peppers!
Elizabeth
If you want lots of flavor, add the cowboy cream cheese to your grilled cheese. Wow! It really brings it!
Stephanie
This is delicious. The combination of creamy cheese, jalapeños, and bacon is perfect!
Bella
The bacon, roasted jalapeños, and cowboy cream cheese really set this sandwich apart from a regular grilled cheese. Yum!
Annabelle
This is almost like a fancy, gourmet-style grilled cheese sandwich, and I am here for it!
