Vegan Jalapeño Poppers

Name: Vegan Jalapeño Poppers
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 28 min
Ingredients: 10 fresh jalapeños; 8 oz vegan cream cheese; 2 teaspoons lemon juice; 2 cloves minced garlic; 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast; pinch of cayenne pepper; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 cup potato chips, crushed (check label to ensure vegan/gluten-free)

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These vegan baked Jalapeño Poppers use a dairy-free cream cheese filling with garlic, spices, and potato chips for an easy appetizer in just 30 minutes. Gluten-free!

Some of the best appetizers double as comfort food and that gets a 100% in my book. Spinach and artichoke dip, totchos, and queso all fill that category.

If you love a little heat, then you're going to want to make these poppers.

Simple and full of flavor, this vegan version of jalapeño poppers makes for delicious appetizers or snacks too.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

The jalapeño pepper is the perfect pepper because they offer limited heat.
These are super easy to assemble without any dredging station.
Dairy-free means they will fit everyone's diet.
The perfect appetizer for the big game, holidays, Super Bowl, and any gathering.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Here are a few quick notes about the ingredients in this recipe. You can see a complete list of ingredients and instructions in the recipe card below.

Jalapenos, spices, garlic, lemon, cream cheese, and potato chips laid out on a white marble surface.

Raw fresh jalapeños - Removing the seeds and white membrane takes out most of the heat, making them easy to enjoy. Check out this guide on how to cut spicy jalapeño peppers the right way.

Dairy-free cream cheese - The secret to our creamy filling is sometimes found in the dairy section and sometimes found in the produce at grocery stores.

Nutritional yeast - Not familiar with this ingredient? It adds a cheesy flavor. In lieu of adding vegan cheese to the mix, this ingredient works just as well!

Lemon juice - Adding lemon to the "cheese" helps create a really tangy, flavorful filling.

Potato chips - Select your favorite flavor here, just check labels to ensure they are vegan or dairy-free (like cheese-flavored chips) to fit your dietary requirements. No panko breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs here. Chips give that perfect extra crunch!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Before you start: Preheat the oven and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Set out all ingredients as this comes together quickly. Full instructions are in the recipe card below.

Jalapenos halved and spread out on a metal tray.

Jalapeno halves filled with cream cheese laid out on a metal tray.

Step 1: Slice jalapeños lengthwise and scoop the seeds and membranes out. Place the jalapeno halves in rows on a baking sheet, skin side down.

Step 2: Combine vegan cream cheese, lemon juice, garlic, nutritional yeast, cayenne pepper, and salt and pepper. Stir to mix.

Cream cheese stuffed jalapenos with crushed potato chips on top sitting on a metal tray.

Baked jalapeno poppers stuffed with cream cheese sitting on a metal tray.

Step 3: Fill jalapeños with cream cheese and sprinkle crushed potato chips.

Step 4: Bake the stuffed jalapeños until the chip topping is golden brown and serve immediately!

Storage

This vegan appetizer is best eaten right after baking, cream cheese jalapeño poppers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Tips

Wear gloves while you slice and scoop out the seeds and membranes. This will help avoid getting any heat from the jalapeño in your eyes and keep your fingers clean.
In order to give these vegan jalapeño poppers that cheesy taste without the extra cheese, nutritional yeast plays a small but important role. Together with lemon juice and spices, that cheesy tang is replicated.
Crushed potato chips are a great alternative to breadcrumbs for various dishes. Use jalapeño or spicy chips to top your peppers for an even better kick!
Want to take these jalapeño bites to the next level? Use vegan ranch dressing as a dipping sauce!

Jalapeño poppers laid out in even rows on top of a metal baking tray.

FAQs

Are these poppers spicy?

Jalapeño peppers are often considered fairly mild in spice level. Scooping everything out from the inside with a small spoon will help remove any heat. You can also leave out the added cayenne if you'd like.

Can I make these ahead?

These are best eaten immediately after cooking. You can prepare the peppers and mix up the filling and store that bowl in the fridge before your guests arrive. Then when it's time to eat you can easily assemble while the oven preheats and then bake.

More Gluten-Free Appetizers

Love this recipe? Please consider leaving a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating on the recipe card below and let me know what you think in the comments!