Switch Up Jalapeño Poppers With A Simple Pepper Swap

Yes, jalapeño poppers are a major game-day staple — but there's one switch you can make to take this dish to the next level. While these spicy peppers, stuffed with creamy and melted cheeses and topped with crispy bacon, are one of the most delicious appetizers to prepare, subbing out the namesake pepper can be the key to creating a new twist on this classic dish.

Remember that jar of pepperoncini in the back of your fridge (the one you used in your Mississippi rot roast recipe)? Consider it the time to use them as inspiration for your next game-day dish. Fresh pepperoncini are one of the tastiest and easiest swaps for jalapeño poppers. And while it does wonders in terms of taste, it can also revamp the texture of this tasty appetizer (thanks to its thinner skin) and take it to new (and super delicious) heights. Once you make the swap, it might be hard for you to go back.

Swapping out jalapeño peppers for their pepperoncini counterpart is extremely simple. Seriously. After prepping your filling according to your go-to jalapeño popper recipe — usually consisting of shredded cheese, cream cheese, and garlic powder — halve and de-seed your pepperoncini and fill them before wrapping each in bacon. From there, simply bake them until the cheese is bubbling and the bacon is crispy. Then, feel free to eat the whole tray. (No judgment.)

This swap is incredible in terms of flavor. Fresh pepperoncini has a milder, tangier taste — which is great for folks who don't handle spice well. Jalapeños can also vary in heat, and sometimes they can be unexpectedly spicy. Subbing for pepperoncini peppers reduces the risk of that surprise burn and makes for a far more pleasant eating experience.

And when it comes to texture, this simple pepper swap makes for a tastier, more interesting take. Pepperoncini peppers are typically softer than jalapeños since they have thinner skin. This makes them easier to bite into and can give the poppers a more pleasant texture overall, especially if you're baking them and want a gentler bite. Jalapeño poppers can be a bit firmer and harder to bite into without falling apart. So, this swap makes for an easier, softer, and all-around improved bite that's hard to beat.