Jalapeno Popper Egg Rolls are egg roll wrappers filled with a mixture of cream cheese, sharp cheddar, crispy bacon, and jalapeno peppers, deep-fried to crispy perfection! Plus, you can also get these made in an air fryer or baked in the oven. For the same delicious flavors, check out my Jalapeno Popper Wontons, too!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Cream Cheese: Let the cream cheese come to room temperature before mixing in the other ingredients. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.
How To Soften Cream Cheese Quickly
- Warm Water Method: Place the wrapped block of cream cheese in a bowl of warm water for about 10-15 minutes. Flip it over every few minutes or so.
- Microwave Method: Remove the cream cheese from its packaging and place it on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave it on low power in 15-20-second intervals until it reaches the desired softness. Be careful not to overheat it, as cream cheese can quickly become too runny or even melt.
- Cheese: I like to use sharp cheddar cheese for the most flavor in the filling. Plus, it melts well. Of course, you can certainly use a different type of cheese if you prefer a milder flavor or have a different cheese on hand.
- Bacon: Cook up the bacon nice and crispy; then, crumble it before adding it to the filling mixture. Check out my How To Bake Bacon for an easy and mess-free way to cook bacon.
- Jalapeno Peppers: I seeded and diced 4 large jalapeno peppers for this recipe. They do give the filling a spicy kick! But, if you want your filling to be even spicier (hotter), leave the seeds and membranes intact when dicing. That is where the heat is at!
- Egg Roll Wrappers: Egg roll wrappers can be found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. You could use wonton wrappers, but they are usually thinner and smaller, meaning the cooking time would need to be adjusted. And, you will probably need more of them to hold all of the filling.
- Oil: Canola or vegetable oil are good choices for frying. They have a neutral flavor with a high smoke point. Once you have fried the egg rolls, check out how to clean used cooking oil so it doesn’t go to waste!
- Ranch Dressing: I love the coolness of ranch dressing to balance out the heat from the jalapenos in the egg rolls.
Can I Make Jalapeno Popper Egg Rolls Ahead Of Time?
Yes! Once you have the egg rolls assembled, but before frying, you can keep them in the refrigerator or freezer.
To Refrigerate: Wrap the assembled egg rolls tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before frying. When ready to serve, simply fry them until golden brown and crispy.
To Freeze: Once assembled, place the egg rolls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze them in a single layer until firm, then transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container for longer storage. (They can be stored for several weeks to a few months.) When ready to serve, fry them directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the frying time.
Storing & Reheating Fried Jalapeno Popper Egg Rolls
If you have already fried the egg rolls and have leftovers, first, let them cool to room temperature. Then, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last up to 2-3 days. Reheat them in the oven for 10-15 minutes or in the air fryer for a few minutes, until they have crisped up. You could reheat the egg rolls in the microwave, but that tends to make them soggy.
Can I Freeze Fried Egg Rolls?
Yes, you can freeze the egg rolls after they have been fried (or cooked). First, let them cool completely. Once cooled, wrap in plastic wrap. Then, store them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2-3 months. Reheat them in the air fryer, oven, or in hot oil (no need to thaw).
Jalapeno Popper Egg Rolls
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (113 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 8 strips thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled (about 1 cup)
- 4 large jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 10 egg roll wrappers
- vegetable or canola oil, for frying
- ranch dressing, for dipping
Instructions
- To a large bowl, add cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon, jalapenos, and garlic powder. Mix until well combined.
- Working with one wrapper at a time, place ⅓ cup of the jalapeno mixture onto the center of each wrapper.
- To roll, lightly wet the edges of the wrapper with water. Fold up the bottom corner of the wrapper to cover the filling. Then fold in the right and left corners to the center, pressing lightly to seal. Roll the wrapper tightly until the filling is completely enclosed and the edges are sealed.
- In a deep pot or fryer, heat 2-3 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F.*
- Working 2-3 at a time, carefully place the egg rolls in the hot oil and fry until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Remove the egg rolls from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Before frying each batch, ensure the oil is heated to 350°F.
- Serve egg rolls hot, with ranch dressing for dipping.
Notes
- Set the air fryer to 400°F.
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Place the egg rolls into the basket of your air fryer. (Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to work in batches.)
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Spray the tops of the egg rolls with nonstick cooking spray. Air fry the egg rolls for 3-4 minutes. Flip them over, spray again with cooking spray, and air fry for another 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Serve with ranch dressing.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the egg rolls onto the lined baking sheet. Spray the tops of the egg rolls with cooking spray (or brush the tops with oil).
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
Did you make this recipe?
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
I found the preparation to be a bit time-consuming, and the frying process was a little messy. -I will use the air fryer next time- Despite that, they made for a tasty appetizer. If you're looking for a fun and different snack, these are worth a try, but be prepared for a bit of effort in the kitchen!
Elizabeth
What a great idea! I love the classic appetizer filling in these egg rolls! I want to try mine in the air fryer next time.
Bella
I absolutely love these egg rolls! Plus, they're super easy to make.
Selena
The creamy, cheesy filling with the perfect amount of spice from the jalapenos is seriously addictive. And dipping them in ranch dressing takes them to the next level!
Thank you so much for the recipe. I can’t wait to make the them. sounds delicious 😋.