23 Interesting Jalapeno Recipes

If you like a bit of spice in your life, recipes that involve jalapeno peppers are probably some of your favorites. 

With that being said, if you’re feeling stuck in a rut with the selection of jalapeno recipes you make on a regular basis, why not branch out with some different options? 

We’ve searched the web and tested more jalapeno recipes than we can count to bring you our top 23 interesting (and sometimes unexpected) jalapeno recipes!

23 Interesting Jalapeno Recipes

Each one is bursting with flavor and creativity, and we can’t wait to share them with you! 

Our jalapeno recipe selection includes main courses, appetizers, desserts, dips, and even drinks, so by the end of this article, you’ll be able to put together an entire jalapeno-based menu. 

1. Jalapeno Pizza 

Jalapenos are not an uncommon pizza ingredient, but they’re often added with a light touch. Not so with this pizza recipe! 

We love that this jalapeno pizza is absolutely loaded with peppers for a real spicy kick.

The spice is balanced out with some sweetcorn, and of course, there’s plenty of mozzarella cheese and a hint of red onion to bring it all together. 

2. Jalapeno Popper Mac ‘N’ Cheese 

If you love jalapenos, you will definitely have heard of jalapeno poppers.

However, you may not have realized that there are plenty of ways to incorporate your standard jalapeno popper into bigger recipes, as we will see throughout this article. 

One of our favorite ways to turn jalapeno popper ingredients into a full meal is this jalapeno popper mac ‘n’ cheese recipe.

The heavy cream adds a real richness to the cheese sauce while the jalapenos provide fresh and vibrant flavor. Meanwhile, the breadcrumbs on top make for the perfect range of textures in each bite. 

3. Jalapeno Tabouli

Tabouli (or tabbouleh) is a Mediterranean dish usually comprising fresh and sweet flavors. Adding jalapenos into the mix can elevate this dish to the next level with yet another layer of flavor: namely, spice. 

We’re big fans of this jalapeno tabouli recipe because the flavors are so perfectly balanced, with fresh mint, lemon juice, and cucumber alongside the powerful flavors of the black pepper and jalapenos. 

4. Black Bean Tart 

We’d never tried black beans in a tart before discovering this recipe, but it’s now one of our favorite ways to enjoy black beans, sweetcorn, and jalapenos! 

The flavor in this tart isn’t just in the filling (which includes Monterey Jack cheese, black beans, sour cream, jalapeno peppers, sweetcorn, and sweet red peppers).

The pastry also incorporates chili powder, ground cumin, and paprika, so you definitely won’t be underwhelmed by this taste experience!

5. Watermelon Cucumber Jalapeno Salad 

Sometimes, even if you love jalapenos, it’s nice to pair these peppers with some mild-flavored and hydrating ingredients to keep your palate cool. 

This watermelon, cucumber and jalapeno salad is perfect for those summer days when you want something light and refreshing but still need your spice fix! 

The beauty of this recipe is that it doesn’t call for many ingredients and takes a maximum of 10 minutes to prepare.

You just need to combine seedless watermelon, chopped cucumber, and de-seeded jalapenos with lime juice, fresh mint or basil, and a pinch of sea salt, and you have an incredible salad!

6. Jalapeno Cotija Cheese Potato Stack Pie 

This jalapeno cotija cheese potato stack pie is the perfect comforting, warming recipe for the colder months. 

Using just a few relatively simple ingredients (red potatoes, cotija cheese, jalapenos, melted butter, salt and pepper) you can make a rich, creamy, satisfying potato stack pie with a definite spicy twist. 

Bake for approximately 35 minutes and you’ll have 8 servings of delicious pie to share with friends or family. This is a wonderful dish for bringing a group of people together. 

7. Spicy Margarita 

It’s hard to beat the feeling of relaxing with a cool margarita after a long day, especially when the weather is hot.

However, you can mix up the traditional margarita recipe with a secret ingredient – you guessed it: jalapenos! 

This spicy margarita is the perfect way to liven up a basic cocktail, and the best part is, it’s not a complicated recipe.

All you have to do is combine the recommended quantities of jalapeno syrup (which you can make yourself or buy beforehand), tequila, cointreau, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker and serve over ice. 

8. Jalapeno Popper Casserole 

Casserole is such a classic and versatile dish, but so many people stick to the same (often fairly unexciting) casserole recipe for years.

Why not change up your usual casserole with this jalapeno popper casserole recipe? 

We think the jalapeno popper casserole recipe from Premeditated Leftovers has everything you could want from this hot and comforting classic: multiple types of cheese, salty bacon, fresh green onion and sour cream, and spice from the jalapeno peppers. 

9. Sausage-Stuffed Jalapenos 

While jalapenos are typically considered an ingredient to add to recipes in moderation, we believe these peppers can be a main ingredient in their own right! If you’re looking for sausage appetizers that pack a punch, consider these sausage-stuffed jalapenos.

For example, take these sausage-stuffed jalapenos.

These bite-sized appetizers are meaty and cheesy thanks to the pork sausage and parmesan, but most importantly, the flavor of the jalapeno dominates each mouthful for a snack that definitely isn’t for the faint of heart! 

If the jalapeno comes through too strongly for your taste, you can cool them down by serving them with a pot of ranch dressing. 

10. Mexican Cornbread 

Cornbread is a satisfying and versatile bread to serve alongside almost any soup, stew, or chili dish.

However, if you want to add some powerful flavor to the bread itself rather than relying on the accompanying dish, we recommend making this Mexican cornbread recipe. 

You can use a pre-made cornbread mix to speed up the bread making process (which can otherwise be quite time-consuming), and you can take your pick out of sour cream and Greek yogurt for added moisture. 

Of course, jalapeno takes center stage in this recipe. De-seed the peppers or leave the seeds in depending on how much spice you want and stir them through the batter before baking. 

11. Smoky Jalapenos 

This is another recipe where jalapenos are the main ingredient as opposed to an addition. So, if you truly love the flavor of jalapenos and aren’t afraid of a mouthful of spice, this is one you should definitely try. 

To make these smoky jalapenos, you’ll need just 4 ingredients: jalapeno peppers, bacon strips, cream cheese, and miniature smoked sausages. 

Once you have your ingredients, simply create a slit in each pepper, remove the seeds, and fill the pepper with a sausage and some cream cheese.

Then you’ll wrap a bacon strip around each pepper and secure them in place with a toothpick. 

12. Jalapeno Brownies 

Jalapenos aren’t just for savory dishes, and these jalapeno brownies are the ultimate proof! They’re also vegan, so you don’t have to miss out if you don’t eat dairy products. 

These brownies are made with eggs, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, all-purpose flour, vanilla extract, jalapenos, and your choice of baking oil.

The spice from the jalapenos combine perfectly with the rich cocoa flavor and the sweetness from the sugar and vanilla extract. 

For an even better dessert, serve these brownies with (dairy-free) cream or ice cream, or a fresh fruit salad.

13. Fresh Fruit Salsa 

Most of us are used to a more savory version of salsa that includes onions and tomatoes, but a fresh fruit salsa can be equally delicious with some tortilla chips when you’re in the mood for a sweet (yet spicy) snack. 

This fruit salsa uses mango, pineapple, melon, kiwi, red pepper, jalapenos, and red onion. To season, you’ll add lime juice, apple cider vinegar, cilantro, salt, and pepper. 

Serve your fresh fruit salsa with your favorite tortilla chips. Alternatively, it’s delicious enough to enjoy on its own as a salad!

14. Jalapeno Guacamole 

We’re sure all of our readers are familiar with guacamole, but we’re betting you’ve never tried a guacamole dip quite like this! 

This guacamole recipe is a spice-filled twist on the traditional version.

While the Mexican crema (or sour cream, if you prefer) combined with the avocado and lime juice keeps the guacamole creamy and slightly sweet, the roasted jalapeno peppers give it a real kick. 

For the best results, the recipe recommends roasting the peppers directly over an open flame. However, if that’s not possible, you can still roast them in the oven at 400 degrees. 

15. Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese 

We’ve already shared recipes for jalapeno popper mac ‘n’ cheese and jalapeno popper casserole, but if your cravings for jalapeno poppers still aren’t satisfied, try making this easy but delicious jalapeno popper grilled cheese! 

Grilled cheese is a go-to easy comfort food for so many of us, but if you want to spice up your regular grilled cheese (literally), do as this recipe suggests and mix chopped jalapenos into the cream cheese along with parmesan and garlic.

Add some cheddar and mayonnaise before frying in a skillet. 

16. Spicy Shrimp And Crab Cocktail 

Shrimp and crab cocktail is an easy yet classy recipe to serve as an appetizer, but if you’re struggling to make your seafood cocktail more flavorsome, jalapenos can be your best friend. 

This spicy shrimp and crab cocktail recipe is excellent, masterfully balancing milder flavors like avocado and cucumber with stronger ingredients such as jalapeno, garlic, and radish.

The shrimp and crabmeat provides a fresh meatiness that seafood fans will absolutely love.

17. Chocolate-Covered Jalapeno Peppers 

Another jalapeno-based dessert option for lovers of chocolate and spice is this recipe for chocolate-covered jalapeno peppers. If you don’t have time to make jalapeno brownies, these are a great alternative. 

Simply melt some semi-sweet chocolate and dip each pepper into the melted chocolate until fully covered.

Once refrigerated, drizzle some melted while chocolate, and once this has set, your chocolate peppers will be ready to serve!

18. Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins 

We know we’ve already recommended a recipe or jalapeno cornbread, but these jalapeno cornbread muffins are a fantastic sweet alternative. 

While these muffins are mildly spicy, they’re not overpowering. Instead, they’re actually very sweet thanks to the buttermilk, honey, and brown sugar in the recipe. 

If you want your muffins to be as spicy as they are sweet, you can opt to leave the seeds in the batter, but most people will want to remove them to make a dessert like this. 

19. Spinach And Jalapeno Cheese Dip

Most jalapeno fans will have tried a jalapeno cheese dip at some point, but if you want to make your spicy cheese dip more interesting, try this recipe, which calls for the interesting addition of spinach. 

To make this dip, you’ll need to melt cream cheese and pepperjack cheese together in the oven, along with chopped jalapenos, onions, and spinach.

Once baked until golden brown, just top the dip with chopped tomatoes and extra peppers and serve alongside your all-time dipping favorites. 

20. Mexican Jalapeno Corn And Cilantro Salad 

This Mexican jalapeno corn and cilantro salad makes the perfect side dish for a Mexican-themed meal.

The sweetness of the corn paired with the spice from the peppers and the rich flavor of the red wine vinegar is a really impressive taste experience.

We especially love the final touch of adding honey to the dish for even more sweetness. 

Although this is a quick and easy recipe, be sure to leave yourself a few hours before serving as the recipe suggests since this will allow for the flavors to combine properly. 

21. Cheesy Jalapeno Popper Garlic Bread 

Our final jalapeno popper-based recipe recommendation for today is this indulgent cheesy jalapeno popper garlic bread. 

When prepared according to the instructions, this spicy garlic bread strikes the perfect balance between moist and crunchy.

The jalapenos don’t go into the bread itself – instead, they sit on top of the cheese for a more subtle level of spice. 

This simple and versatile recipe can also be amended to include additional toppings such as olives or pepperoni.

22. Fiesta Scrambled Eggs 

There’s no denying that scrambled eggs are delicious, but if you don’t know how to season them, they can be a bit bland.

There’s no danger of that with this recipe for fiesta scrambled eggs, though! 

Taste of Home’s fiesta scrambled eggs recipe calls for jalapenos, bacon, onion, sweet red pepper, cheddar cheese, and salsa. What’s not to love? 

23. Jalapeno Lime Cheesecake 

Let’s finish off with something sweet and check out this jalapeno lime cheesecake! 

We’ve seen jalapeno and lime combined in various recipes so far, including guacamole and salsa, but this recipe proves they work equally well together in dessert form. 

To make this creative cheesecake recipe, you’ll need cream cheese, broken-up graham crackers, sour cream, butter, eggs, all-purpose flour, lime juice, vanilla extract, white sugar, and jalapenos. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

How Spicy Are Jalapeno Peppers? 

Jalapeno peppers are rated between 2,000 and 8,000 units on the scoville scale. This is generally considered a medium level of spice.

While jalapenos seem very spicy to some people, they are actually fairly mild when compared to other types of peppers (see also ‘22 Different Peppers To Include In Your Meals‘) such as cayenne. 

Can You Eat Raw Jalapeno Peppers? 

Jalapeno peppers can safely be consumed raw as well as cooked, meaning you can include them in recipes that don’t require cooking, such as salads and salsa. 

Are Jalapenos Good For You?

Those who are sensitive to spice might not feel great after eating jalapeno peppers, but these peppers actually have numerous health benefits.

For example, they are high in vitamins C and A. They also contain antioxidants such as carotene, and they might even help to boost your metabolism. 

However, if you’re not used to spice, be careful not to eat too many at once since they may interfere with your digestive function. 

Final Thoughts 

The recipes we’ve showcased in this article show that jalapenos are a versatile ingredient, suitable for use in savory and sweet dishes as well as drinks. 

Make sure you know how much spice you can handle before cooking with jalapenos, and if you’re not sure, remove the seeds first to be on the safe side. 

23 Interesting Jalapeno Recipes

23 Interesting Jalapeno Recipes

Recipe by Jenna

If you’re looking for more creative ways to cook with jalapenos, check out our top 23 interesting and tasty jalapeno recipes (both savory and sweet) today!

Course: Side Dishes
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