If you love the bold flavors of jalapeno poppers, these cheesy jalapeno popper twists are going to blow you away. They’re packed with crispy bacon, creamy cheese, spicy jalapenos, and wrapped in golden crescent dough for the ultimate savory bite.
These twists are incredibly easy to make and perfect for game day, parties, holidays, or casual snacking. The creamy jalapeno filling combined with melted cheddar and bacon creates a flavor-packed appetizer that disappears fast.
If you enjoy cheesy comfort recipes like this, you’ll also want to check out other favorites like the cheesy southwest chorizo pasta or finish your meal with a sweet treat like raspberry crunch cheesecake bites.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creamy, cheesy filling
- Crispy bacon in every bite
- Buttery crescent dough
- Perfect balance of spicy and savory
- Great for parties and gatherings
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Freezer-friendly
Key Ingredients
See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.
- Bacon: Adds smoky, salty flavor that stands out against the creamy filling and defines the dish’s savory profile.
- Refrigerated Crescent Dough: Serve as the buttery, flaky dough that wraps around the filling and provides the dish’s structure.
- Cream Cheese: Provides the rich, creamy base of the filling and helps bind the other ingredients.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Melts into the filling, adding bold, tangy cheese flavor.
- Jalapenos: Provide fresh heat that balances the richness of the bacon and cheeses.
Variations
- Make Them Extra Spicy: Add a dash of hot sauce or extra jalapenos to the filling.
- Change the Cheese: Try pepper jack cheese for even more spicy flavor.
- Add Garlic: Mix a little minced garlic into the cream cheese filling for extra savory flavor.
How to Make Cheesy Jalapeno Popper Twists
1: Slice the bacon and cook it until crispy. Then, drain all but 1 tablespoon of grease from the pan. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to cool. Crumble.
2: Cook the diced jalapenos in the fat until tender. Then, add the seasonings and cook until fragrant.
3: Lay out a sheet of crescent dough on a floured surface and pinch the seams together. Then, roll out until smooth and cut off uneven edges to make a rectangle.
4: Mix the cream cheese, jalapenos, and sliced green onions.
5: Cut the sheet horizontally into 1-inch strips. Then, cut the strips in half vertically.
6: Top half of the strips with cream cheese, shredded cheese, and crumbled bacon.
7: Top with the other crescent dough strips and press down gently.
8: Twist the layered dough pieces together, then place them on a prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of the dough. Bake until golden and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Use Softened Cream Cheese: This makes the filling easier to mix and spread evenly.
- Don’t Overfill the Dough: Too much filling can cause the twists to open while baking.
- Adjust the Spice Level: Remove the seeds from the jalapenos for a milder flavor or leave some in for extra heat.
- Cook the Bacon Until Crispy: Crispy bacon adds the best texture and flavor.
Cheesy Jalapeno Popper Twists FAQs
Yes! You can prepare the twists a few hours ahead of time and keep them covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake. For best results, bake them fresh just before serving so they stay flaky and crispy.
They have a mild to moderate kick. Removing the seeds and membranes from the jalapenos keeps the heat level manageable. If you want more spice, leave some seeds in or add extra jalapenos.
Absolutely. While sharp cheddar adds great flavor, you can also use Pepper Jack for more heat, Monterey Jack for a milder flavor, or Colby Jack for extra creaminess.
These twists are great with ranch dressing, chipotle mayo, queso dip, or spicy aioli.
Store leftover twists in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer to bring back their crispy texture.
Yes. You can freeze them either before or after baking. Place them in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven until warmed through.
This usually happens if the dough isn’t pressed together firmly enough or if there’s too much filling. Make sure to press the top strip down gently and avoid overfilling.
Yes! Cook them in an air fryer at 350°F for about 8–10 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Great Finger Food Pairings for These Twists
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Cheesy Jalapeno Popper Twists
Ingredients
- 12 ounce bacon
- 2 containers Pillsbury refrigerated crescent roll
- 2 jalapenos, stem and seeds removed, diced
- 8 ounce cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 2 teaspoons slap ya mama seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Popper Mixture
- Slice bacon into 1 inch pieces and cook until crispy. Place cooked bacon on a plate lined with paper towels.
- Drain bacon fat from pan, reserving 1 tablespoon.
- Add diced jalapenos, and reserved bacon fat, to the pan and cook over medium heat until tender. Sprinkle the seasoning into the pan and stir to combine. Cook for another minute. Remove from heat, and set aside to cool.
- In a medium bowl, add cream cheese, cooled jalapenos, and sliced green onions. Stir to combine.
Crescent Dough
- On a floured surface lay out the first sheet of crescent roll dough.
- Pinch to pleat the perforations in the dough and roll flat with a floured rolling pin.
- Cut off the uneven edges leaving a rectangle.
- Cut 1 inch strips horizontally through the dough sheet, and then in half vertically.
- On the first strip of dough add the cream cheese mixture, then sprinkle with shredded cheese, and top with crumbled bacon.
- Place your next strip of dough over the top of the bacon, and press down gently.
- In a twisting motion, twist the two pieces of dough together and place the twists on the prepared baking sheet.
- Repeat the process with remaining dough.
- Bake for 13 minutes or until golden. Enjoy!
Notes
- Using softened cream cheese makes the filling easier to mix and spread evenly.
- Don’t overfill the dough. Too much filling can cause the twists to open while baking.
- Remove the seeds from the jalapenos for a milder flavor or leave some in for extra heat.
- Crispy bacon adds the best texture and flavor.
These are so yummy and so easy. I made them last night, and we loved them.
Booyah! Whipped these up over the weekend for movie night. Fantastic.
These had just the right amount of kick from the jalapeños. The pastry was light and flaky, and the cheesy filling made them a really addictive snack that disappeared fast.
These are the best appetizers for a gathering or just a cozy movie night. They’re so easy to make and so delicious! I made a red sauce to dip them in…so good!
I made these as a snack and they were so good. Crispy, cheesy, with a little kick from the jalapeños!