Mummy Jalapeño Poppers

Crispy, gooey, and delightfully spooky, Mummy Jalapeño Poppers transform an ordinary appetizer into a Halloween masterpiece. These cheese-filled jalapeños wrapped in crispy “bandages” of crescent dough create the perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and buttery flavors that will haunt your taste buds (in the best way possible). Perfect for Halloween parties or fall gatherings, these adorable little mummies aren’t just cute—they’re absolutely addictive. You’ll learn how to create these show-stopping appetizers that deliver both impressive presentation and irresistible flavor in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Mummy Jalapeño Poppers are guaranteed to be the star of your Halloween spread for several reasons. First, they strike the perfect balance between festive appearance and phenomenal taste—unlike some themed foods that sacrifice flavor for aesthetics. The contrast between the crispy, buttery crescent dough “bandages” and the creamy, spicy jalapeño filling creates an explosion of textures in every bite. They’re surprisingly simple to make despite their impressive appearance, requiring just a handful of ingredients and about 30 minutes of your time. Plus, they’re customizable to your heat preference—keep the seeds for extra kick or remove them for a milder version. These poppers also offer that coveted make-ahead convenience, as you can prep them earlier in the day and simply bake when guests arrive.

Ingredients

For these Mummy Jalapeño Poppers, you’ll need:

• 12 medium jalapeño peppers (about 3-4 inches long)
• 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (113g) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tube (8 oz/226g) refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 24 small edible candy eyes (found in baking sections, especially during Halloween)
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

The jalapeños provide the perfect vessel for the filling—look for firm, vibrant green ones of similar size for even cooking. The combination of cream cheese and cheddar creates that ideal creamy, melty texture, while the Parmesan adds a sharp depth of flavor that elevates these poppers beyond basic appetizers.

Pro Tips

Achieving perfect Mummy Jalapeño Poppers requires attention to a few critical techniques. First, when handling jalapeños, always wear gloves or coat your hands with olive oil before slicing and seeding them. This creates a barrier between your skin and the capsaicin, preventing the infamous “jalapeño hands” that can burn for hours. Second, for the ideal texture contrast, don’t overload the jalapeños with filling—leave about 1/8 inch from the top to prevent overflow during baking, which ensures your mummy bandages stay intact and crispy. Finally, the key to those perfect mummy “bandages” is cutting the crescent dough into thin strips (about 1/4 inch wide) and slightly stretching them as you wrap. This creates a more realistic bandage appearance and allows proper air circulation for even baking. For extra crispy bandages, make sure to leave small gaps between the dough strips, revealing hints of the filling beneath.

Instructions

Step 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. While wearing gloves or coating your hands with olive oil, cut each jalapeño in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to carefully remove the seeds and membranes (leave some seeds if you prefer spicier poppers).

Step 2
In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, cheddar cheese, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Mix until everything is well incorporated and smooth. The filling should be thick but spreadable. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

Step 3
Using a small spoon, fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture, creating a slightly rounded top but being careful not to overfill. Place filled jalapeños on the prepared baking sheet, cheese side up, with a little space between each.

Step 4
Unroll the crescent dough and pinch together any perforations to create one large rectangle. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, slice the dough into thin strips about 1/4 inch wide. You’ll need approximately 3-4 strips per jalapeño popper.

Step 5
Wrap each cheese-filled jalapeño with dough strips in a crisscross pattern to resemble mummy bandages. Leave a small gap near the top where you’ll later place the candy eyes. Gently stretch the dough as you wrap, but be careful not to tear it. Leave some small gaps between the “bandages” to let steam escape and create a more authentic mummy look.

Step 6
Lightly brush the dough-wrapped jalapeños with beaten egg for a golden finish. Bake for 15-18 minutes until the dough is puffed and golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly. During the last 2-3 minutes of baking, remove the sheet and quickly place two candy eyes on each popper in the space you left earlier, then return to the oven to finish baking.

Step 7
Allow the Mummy Jalapeño Poppers to cool for 5 minutes before serving. This brief resting period allows the cheese to set slightly so it doesn’t ooze out on the first bite, and it prevents mouth burns from the hot filling.

Variations

For dietary adaptations and flavor variations of these Mummy Jalapeño Poppers, consider these popular alternatives. For a meat-lover’s version, mix 1/4 cup of cooked, crumbled bacon into the cheese filling for a smoky dimension that pairs wonderfully with the spicy jalapeños and creamy cheese. Creating vegetarian mummy poppers is simple by ensuring your cheeses use vegetable-based rennet. For a dairy-free option, substitute the cheese filling with a mixture of dairy-free cream cheese, vegan cheddar shreds, and nutritional yeast to maintain that savory, cheesy profile. If the spice of jalapeños is too intense, mini sweet bell peppers make an excellent substitute while maintaining the fun mummy shape—just adjust the baking time down slightly as sweet peppers are less dense than jalapeños.

Storage and Serving

These Mummy Jalapeño Poppers are best enjoyed fresh from the oven when the contrast between the crisp dough exterior and warm, gooey filling is at its peak. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days—simply reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until warmed through (avoid microwaving, which will make the dough soggy). For make-ahead preparation, assemble the poppers completely except for the candy eyes, refrigerate covered for up to 24 hours, then bake as directed, adding the eyes in the last few minutes. Serve these spooky treats alongside a cooling ranch or blue cheese dip to balance the heat. For a complete Halloween spread, pair with “witch’s brew” punch, deviled “spider” eggs, and a platter of seasonal fruits arranged in a skeleton shape.

FAQs

How can I adjust the spice level of my Mummy Jalapeño Poppers?
Control the heat by removing all seeds and membranes for a milder version, or leave some seeds intact for more spice. You can also substitute half the jalapeños with mini sweet peppers for a mixed platter that accommodates different heat preferences.

Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare them up to the point of baking, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, add 2-3 minutes to the baking time and add the candy eyes during the final minutes of baking.

What if I can’t find candy eyes?
Create your own eyes using small dots of cream cheese with black olive pieces, or cut small circles from white and black fondant. In a pinch, black sesame seeds pressed into small dots of cream cheese work too.

Why are my poppers leaking cheese?
Overfilled poppers or gaps that are too large in the dough wrapping can cause leakage. Leave 1/8 inch space from the top when filling and ensure your dough strips overlap enough to contain the filling as it melts.

Are these too spicy for children?
For kid-friendly versions, either use mini sweet peppers instead of jalapeños or thoroughly remove all seeds and membranes from the jalapeños, as this is where most of the heat resides.

Conclusion

These Mummy Jalapeño Poppers are Halloween entertaining at its finest — creamy, cheesy, and just the right amount of spicy, all wrapped up in a fun, festive package that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat. They’re the kind of appetizer that disappears within minutes of hitting the table, leaving guests reaching for “just one more” long after they’ve claimed to be full. Whether you’re hosting a sophisticated adult gathering or a family-friendly Halloween party, these adorable little mummies strike that perfect balance of impressive presentation and irresistible flavor that will have everyone talking well past the spooky season.

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