Jalapeño Popper Stuffed Onion Rings Recipe
Jalapeño Popper Stuffed Onion Rings are a delicious and spicy appetizer featuring thick onion slices filled with a creamy, cheesy jalapeño mixture, breaded, and fried to golden perfection. These crispy snacks are perfect for parties or game days, offering a flavorful twist on classic onion rings with a fiery kick and rich, melty cheese filling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 10-12 stuffed onion rings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Onion Rings
- 2 large yellow or sweet onions
Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1–2 jalapeños, finely diced (seeded for mild heat)
- Optional: ¼ cup bacon bits
- Optional: ½ tsp garlic powder
- Optional: 2 tbsp chopped scallions
Breading
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1½ cups seasoned breadcrumbs or panko
Frying
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil)
Instructions
- Prep Onions: Slice the onions into ½-inch thick rings and carefully separate them into sturdy layers that are suitable for stuffing with the cheese mixture.
- Make Filling: In a bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, finely diced jalapeños, and any optional ingredients such as bacon bits, garlic powder, and scallions. Chill this filling in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to firm up slightly.
- Stuff Rings: Spoon or pipe the prepared cheese filling into the center of each onion ring, smoothing the edges to ensure the filling stays contained.
- Freeze: Place the stuffed onion rings on a tray lined with parchment paper and freeze them for 20–30 minutes. This helps the filling set and prevents leakage during frying.
- Bread Rings: Dredge each frozen stuffed ring first in the flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and coat thoroughly with the seasoned breadcrumbs or panko. For extra crunch and better sealing, repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating step one more time.
- Fry: Heat oil in a deep pan or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry the breaded onion rings in batches for 2–3 minutes per side, or until they turn golden brown and crispy.
- Drain & Serve: Remove the fried onion rings with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve them hot with your choice of dipping sauces such as ranch, chipotle mayo, or avocado crema.
Notes
- Use thick onion slices to hold the filling securely without breaking.
- Freezing the stuffed rings before frying helps prevent the cheese filling from leaking out.
- Repeating the breading steps (double breading) improves crunchiness and seals in the filling.
- For an air fryer alternative, cook at 375°F for 10–12 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Try swapping sharp cheddar for pepper jack, mozzarella, or gouda for different flavor profiles.
- To make this recipe vegetarian-friendly, omit bacon bits or use plant-based cheese alternatives.
- Serve with complementary dipping sauces like ranch dressing, chipotle mayo, or avocado crema for enhanced flavor.
Keywords: fried comfort food, jalapeño popper, onion rings, party snack, spicy cheese, stuffed appetizer
