Description
These Popper Quesadillas combine crispy bacon, spicy jalapenos, and creamy cheese filling inside warm flour tortillas, creating a deliciously savory and slightly spicy appetizer or snack ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Quesadilla Base
- 2 large flour tortillas (burrito size)
Filling
- 4 strips bacon
- 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced
- 4 ounces (½ block) cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Heat skillet and cook bacon. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot, then add the bacon strips. Cook until the bacon is almost crispy, about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally for even cooking.
- Prepare cream cheese filling. While bacon is cooking, combine cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, shredded Monterey Jack, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside.
- Cook jalapenos with bacon. During the last 2-3 minutes of cooking bacon, add the diced jalapeno peppers to the skillet and cook together, stirring occasionally to soften the jalapenos and infuse flavor.
- Drain bacon and combine with filling. Remove bacon from skillet and place on paper towels to drain excess grease. Once cooled enough to handle, roughly chop the bacon and add it along with the cooked jalapenos into the cream cheese mixture. Stir to combine.
- Heat tortilla in skillet. Without cleaning the skillet (to retain some bacon flavor), place one flour tortilla into the pan over medium heat.
- Spread filling on tortilla. Spread half of the cream cheese and bacon mixture evenly over the tortilla, using a spatula if needed.
- Fold and cook quesadilla. Fold the tortilla in half to cover the filling. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese filling has melted.
- Repeat with second quesadilla. Remove the cooked quesadilla and repeat the process with the second tortilla and the remaining filling.
- Serve. Cut the quesadillas into wedges and serve immediately while warm and melty.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of jalapeno according to your preferred spice level.
- Use room temperature cream cheese for easier mixing and smoother filling.
- To reduce fat, use turkey bacon or reduce the amount of bacon.
- These quesadillas are best served fresh to enjoy the crispiness of the tortilla.
- Optional: serve with sour cream or salsa for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American