If you love pizza and spicy appetizers, these pepperoni pizza jalapeno poppers will be your new go-to snack or appetizer. They combine classic pizza toppings like pepperoni, mozzarella, Italian seasoning, and olives with the irresistible heat of jalapenos and a buttery golden crust.
Each jalapeno is roasted until tender, stuffed with a creamy pizza-inspired filling, wrapped in flaky pie crust, and baked until perfectly golden. The result is a warm, cheesy, slightly spicy appetizer that disappears fast at parties, game days, and family gatherings.
If you’re a fan of bold appetizers like these, you might also enjoy recipes like cheesy jalapeno popper muffins or flavorful Nashville hot chicken sliders.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Loaded with cheesy pizza flavor
- Perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and savory
- Wrapped in buttery golden pie crust
- Great for parties, game day, and holidays
- Easy to prep ahead of time
- Freezer-friendly and great for meal prep
Key Ingredients
See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.
- Cream Cheese: Creates the rich, creamy base of the filling and helps bind all the ingredients together.
- Fresh Jalapenos: Provide the main heat and act as the vessel for the filling, giving the dish its spicy kick.
- Pepperoni: Adds a bold, savory, pizza-style flavor that stands out in the filling.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Melts smoothly and adds the classic cheesy texture associated with pizza-inspired dishes.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, nutty depth that enhances the filling’s overall flavor.
- Pie Crust: Wraps the stuffed jalapeños, creating a flaky outer layer and holding the filling together during baking.
Variations
- Supreme Pizza Poppers: Add diced bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions to the filling.
- Sausage Pizza Poppers: Replace pepperoni with cooked Italian sausage.
- Bacon Pizza Poppers: Mix crispy bacon into the filling for extra smoky flavor.
- Hawaiian Pizza Poppers: Add diced ham and pineapple for a sweet-and-savory twist.
- Extra Cheesy Poppers: Mix in additional mozzarella or provolone for a super-gooey filling.
How to Make Pepperoni Pizza Jalapeno Poppers
1: Roast the jalapenos. Then, cut them in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Set aside.
2: Mix the cream cheese, half the Italian seasoning, and the remaining filling ingredients.
3: Roll out the pie crust and cut into ½-inch strips.
4: Fill each jalapeno with the cream cheese mixture.
5: Wrap each stuffed jalapeno with a strip of pie crust. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with the remaining Italian seasoning.
6: Bake until golden brown and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Always Roast Your Jalapenos: Roasting them slightly softens them and enhances their flavor.
- Be Sure All Seeds are Removed: The seeds are the hottest part of the peppers, so be sure you remove all of them.
- Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: This helps the filling mix smoothly.
- Don’t Overfill: Too much filling can cause the poppers to burst while baking.
- Always Wash Your Hands: Wash your hands thoroughly and never touch your face when handling hot peppers.
Pepperoni Pizza Jalapeno Popper FAQs
They have a mild to moderate heat level. Removing the seeds and membranes will reduce the spice significantly.
Yes. You can assemble the poppers a few hours ahead and store them in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
Absolutely. Puff pastry creates a flakier, crispier exterior and works great for this recipe.
You can store these poppers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
Yes. Freeze them before baking and then bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Try serving these pizza jalapeno poppers with marinara sauce, ranch dressing, garlic butter, or pizza sauce.
Great Pairings for Your Pizza Jalapeno Poppers
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Pepperoni Pizza Jalapeno Poppers
Ingredients
- 8 fresh jalapenos
- 8 ounce cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 green onions, white ends thinly sliced
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- ½ cup pepperoni, diced
- 1 cup mozzarella, shredded
- ⅓ cup black olives, sliced
- 1 Pillsbury pie crust
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Roast Jalapenos
- Wash jalapenos and place on a baking sheet with a small spray of non-stick cooking spray.
- Place in the oven and roast for 15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool.
- Once the jalapenos have cooled, slice in half and remove seeds with a spoon. Set aside.
- Turn the oven up to 425 degrees.
Pepperoni Cream Cheese Filling
- In a medium sized bowl mix cream cheese, diced pepperoni, Italian seasoning (reserving ¼ teaspoon for topping), garlic powder, black pepper, Parmesan, and green onions.
- Stir in black olives and mozzarella cheese. Set aside.
Pie Crust
- On a floured surface roll out pie crust and cut into ½ inch strips.
- Fill each of the jalapeños with a heaping spoonful of cream cheese mixture.
- Wrap a strip of pie crust around the jalapenos and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- Brush with egg wash and sprinkle remaining ¼ tsp of Italian seasoning over the tops of the dough.
- Bake at 425 for 20-22 minutes or until golden brown.
Notes
- Always Roast Your Jalapenos: Roasting them slightly softens them and enhances their flavor.
- Be Sure All Seeds are Removed: The seeds are the hottest part of the peppers, so be sure you remove all of them.
- Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: This helps the filling mix smoothly.
- Don’t Overfill: Too much filling can cause the poppers to burst while baking.
- Always Wash Your Hands: Wash your hands thoroughly and never touch your face when handling hot peppers.
Nutrition
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