Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups Recipe
If you love the classic flavors of jalapeño poppers but want a fun, bite-sized twist, then you’re going to adore this Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups Recipe. It’s crispy, creamy, and just the right amount of spicy—all wrapped up in a cute little wonton cup that’s perfect for parties, game day, or just an easy snack at home. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll be a go-to appetizer you make over and over.
Why This Recipe Works
- Easy & Quick: The wonton wrappers bake up fast, cutting down the usual prep time for stuffed jalapeño recipes.
- Perfect Flavor Balance: Cream cheese, cheddar, and bacon mingle with just enough heat from jalapeños to keep things interesting.
- Great for Any Occasion: These cups are super portable and crowd-pleasing whether for family nights or casual get-togethers.
- Customizable Spice Level: Seed your jalapeños or leave a few seeds in for a kick that suits your taste buds.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The ingredients for this Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups Recipe come together beautifully — each one adding a layer of texture and flavor. Shopping tip: grab fresh jalapeños for the best heat and flavor, and look for wonton wrappers in the refrigerated section near the produce or Asian foods aisle.

- Wonton wrappers: These act as perfect crispy little cups; they’re thin but sturdy enough to hold the filling without turning soggy.
- Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese creates that rich, creamy base everyone loves in classic jalapeño poppers.
- Sour cream: Adds tang and creaminess for balanced flavor and a bit lighter texture.
- Bacon: Crispy, smoky bacon folded into the filling ups the savory factor – plus a few reserved bits on top for extra crunch.
- Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar melts beautifully to meld the flavors and give a gooey finish.
- Jalapeños: Fresh jalapeños give you control over the spice — remove the seeds for mild heat or leave some in for a zingy bite.
Make It Your Way
I love that this Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups Recipe is so adaptable—you can dial the heat up or down easily and even swap in different cheeses or toppings to match your mood or diet. Feel free to make it truly your own!
- Variation: I sometimes add a little garlic powder or smoked paprika to the cream cheese mixture for a subtle smoky depth—it’s such a game-changer.
- Dairy-Free: Use a dairy-free cream cheese and cheese alternative, and you’ll still get a yummy, melty popper experience without the dairy.
- Extra Heat: Toss in diced serrano peppers alongside jalapeños if you want to totally amp up the spice.
- Vegetarian Swap: Leave out the bacon and add some finely chopped roasted red pepper or sun-dried tomatoes for a smoky, savory twist.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups Recipe
Step 1: Prepping your Wonton Cups
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a muffin pan lightly with cooking spray—that way, the wonton wrappers won’t stick and they’ll come out perfectly crispy. Gently place one wonton wrapper into each muffin cup, pressing it down so it forms a little bowl shape. Bake these for about 10 minutes or until just lightly browned on the edges. This pre-baking step is key; it keeps the wonton cups from getting soggy once you add the filling.
Step 2: Mixing the Filling
While your cups are cooling, mix together softened cream cheese, sour cream, crumbled bacon (save a bit for topping), shredded cheddar cheese (again, hold back a little for garnish), and chopped jalapeños in a medium bowl. Stir everything well until it’s evenly combined and creamy. Quick tip: soften your cream cheese in the microwave for 15-20 seconds if you forgot to let it sit out—trust me, it makes mixing so much easier.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
Spoon the filling generously into each crisp wonton cup, then sprinkle the reserved bacon and cheddar on top. Pop them back into the oven for another 8 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the wontons turn a beautiful golden brown. Make sure to keep an eye on them during this baking phase so the edges don’t over-brown.
Tips from My Kitchen
- Don’t Overfill: It’s tempting to stuff in tons of filling, but keeping it moderate means less mess and better crispiness.
- Chop Jalapeños Fine: Smaller pieces distribute heat more evenly so you don’t get an unexpected spicy bite.
- Cook Bacon Crisply: Crispy bacon holds up better in the mixture and adds nice crunch on top.
- Use Fresh Wonton Wrappers: Fresh ones bake better; frozen or dried ones might become brittle or chewy.
How to Serve Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups Recipe

Garnishes
For garnishes, I like a sprinkle of chopped fresh chives or green onions—they add a pop of color and fresh oniony flavor that cuts through the richness. A tiny dollop of sour cream on the side for dipping is fantastic as well. If you want to brighten it up even more, a little squeeze of lime juice right before serving works wonders.
Side Dishes
I often serve these with a simple side salad or some fresh veggie sticks for crunch. If it’s party time, sliced avocado and chips make a great accompaniment, or a light Mexican-style rice if you’re making these part of a bigger spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I’ve arranged these jalapeño popper wonton cups on a festive platter, garnished with edible flowers and sprigs of fresh herbs. Another fun trick is to place each cup in colorful mini cupcake liners before baking—super cute and easy for guests to grab!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover jalapeño popper wonton cups store best in an airtight container in the fridge. I recommend separating layers with parchment paper to keep them from sticking together. They’ll stay good for about 2-3 days.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these before (minus the final bake), storing the filled cups on a baking sheet until solid, then transferring to a freezer-safe container. When ready, bake from frozen adding a few extra minutes. It saves prep time for last-minute guests!
Reheating
To reheat, pop them in a 350°F oven for about 8 minutes—or until warmed through and crispy again. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that signature crispiness intact.
FAQs
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Can I make the jalapeño popper wonton cups ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the wonton cups and filling separately, then assemble and bake right before serving. You can also fill the cups ahead and refrigerate for a few hours, just make sure to bake them fresh so they stay crispy.
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What if I don’t like spicy food? Can I omit the jalapeños?
Definitely! You can leave out the jalapeños or replace them with a mild pepper like mini sweet peppers or roasted red peppers. The filling will still be creamy and flavorful without the heat.
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Are wonton wrappers gluten-free?
Most store-bought wonton wrappers are made from wheat flour, so they’re not gluten-free. If you need a gluten-free version, look for gluten-free wrappers or try small tortilla cups as a substitute.
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Can I use pre-cooked or leftover bacon?
Yes! Using pre-cooked or leftover bacon works perfectly here. Just make sure it’s crisp so it adds a nice texture to the filling and as a topping.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, the Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups Recipe has become one of my favorite quick snacks to whip up when I want something both comforting and exciting. It’s such a crowd-pleaser and surprisingly easy to make with just a handful of ingredients. I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) them as much as I do. Next time you’re hosting or craving something fun and cheesy, give these popper cups a try—you’ll thank me later!
Print
Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups are a crispy, cheesy appetizer featuring a creamy mixture of cream cheese, sour cream, bacon, cheddar cheese, and spicy jalapeños, all baked inside crispy wonton wrappers. Perfect for game day or a party snack!
Ingredients
Wonton Cups
- 12 wonton wrappers
- Cooking spray
Filling
- 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 12 oz. bacon, cooked and crumbled (reserve 2 tablespoons)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (reserve 2 tablespoons)
- 3-4 jalapeños, seeded and chopped (remove more seeds for less spice)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the wonton cups.
- Prepare Muffin Pan: Spray a muffin pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Bake Wonton Wrappers: Place one wonton wrapper into each muffin cup and bake for 10 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp.
- Cool Wonton Cups: Remove the wonton cups from the oven and allow them to cool slightly to handle safely.
- Make Filling: In a medium mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped jalapeños. Mix until well blended.
- Fill Wonton Cups: Spoon the cheese and jalapeño filling into each baked wonton cup evenly.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the reserved bacon and shredded cheddar cheese over the filled wonton cups for extra flavor and crunch.
- Bake Again: Return the filled wonton cups to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the wontons are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- For more spicy heat, leave some jalapeño seeds in the filling.
- Make sure cream cheese is softened to blend easily with the other ingredients.
- Bacon can be cooked ahead of time to save preparation time.
- If desired, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor and a healthier option.
- Wonton wrappers can be found in the produce or refrigerated sections of most grocery stores.
- These can be made ahead, assembled, and baked just before serving to keep them crispy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg

