Jalapeno Popper Pizza

This jalapeno popper pizza is the perfect way to switch up pizza night at your house or a fun, creative appetizer for the next time you have friends over! It’s got all your favorite flavors of jalapeno poppers – sharp cheddar, bacon, jalapenos, and cream cheese – piled high on a crispy pizza crust for a hand-held appetizer everyone will love!

Easy Jalapeno Popper Pizza Recipe

• If you’re obsessed with pizza and are looking for something new to try – this recipe is for you! It’s got the familiar flavors of jalapeno poppers presented in a different way that might just become your family’s favorite!
• Don’t worry – you can easily adjust the heat and make it as spicy or mild as you like! By removing the ribs and seeds from the jalapenos you can create a super mild spice level that will allow you to taste the jalapenos but not burn your tongue off! Or, you can keep some ribs in and add extra heat!

Ingredients for Jalapeno Popper Pizza

• Pizza Dough: Use quick homemade pizza dough or your favorite storebought.
• Cream Cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese for the best flavor and texture. You can use it straight from the fridge – no need to let it come to room temp – since it will bake in the oven for a couple minutes and become creamy and spreadable.
• Herbs & Spices: Garlic powder, dried oregano, and fresh chives combine to really amp up the flavors of this pizza.
• Shredded Cheese: Use your favorite melty shredded cheese. I love to use sharp cheddar, mild cheddar, or a Mexican blend.
• Crispy Potato Crowns: Tater tots also work here! I just like the potato crowns because they’re flat and lend themselves well to pizza.
• Jalapenos: I like to use fresh jalapenos for this popper pizza. Removing the ribs and seeds will ensure that the pizza isn’t too spicy. You can also use sliced, pickled jalapenos. Just make sure you pay attention to whether they’re tamed or hot as the heat level will differ greatly between the two.
• Crispy Bacon: Crispy bacon is the perfect way to finish off this jalapeno popper pizza. Use your favorite brand of bacon.

How to Make

Heat oven to 450 degrees. Roll 1 pound of pizza dough out on a lightly floured surface. Spray a pizza pan or sheet pan with olive oil or sprinkle it with cornmeal. Transfer the crust to the pan.

Par-bake crust for 3-4 minutes. Add 8 ounces of cubed cream cheese to the crust and bake it for another 2 minutes.

Carefully spread the cream cheese across the crust in an even layer. Add 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 cup sliced chives.

Then add 8 ounces of shredded cheese, 1 cup of crispy potato crowns, and sliced jalapenos. Bake for 10 minutes. 

Add crumbled bacon and bake for another 5 minutes or so. Garnish with sliced green onion and chives and enjoy!

Tips for Making

• Don’t skip the par-bake. Partially baking the pizza crust is going to give you that perfect crispy crust and ensure that the toppings don’t make the pizza crust soggy. It also helps to create a sturdy base for the cream cheese to be spread across.
• Use a pizza pan if you can. This pizza pan is my favorite because it’s just the right size for a pound of pizza dough and it’s got small holes in it that allow the pizza to get super crispy on the bottom. If you make pizza a lot, you need a pizza pan!

FAQ

Do you cook jalapeños before putting on pizza?

There is no need to cook jalapenos before you add them to pizza. On this pizza, they’re sliced thinly so they cook right along with the rest of the ingredients.

What goes with jalapeno peppers on pizza?

While there are lots of things that might pair well with jalapenos – pepperoni, salami, ham, pineapple – my favorites are bacon, cheese, and cream cheese! Those simple ingredients along with crispy potato crowns make for a delicious combination that tastes like a jalapeno popper in pizza form!

Which jalapenos are best for pizza?

You can use fresh jalapenos or pickled jalapenos with great results. If you have both, you might want to try a combination of both for a mix of fresh and pickled flavors!

Make-Ahead

You can prep this pizza up to a day in advance! Follow the recipe instructions through step #5, cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. About an hour before you’re ready to bake the pizza, remove it from the fridge and let it sit out on the counter so it can come to room temp. Then bake according to recipe instructions but plan to add a couple extra minutes of baking time to account for the cooler temperature.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Reheating

My favorite way to reheat leftover pizza is in the air fryer! Cook leftover slices in the air fryer at 350 degrees for 3-5 minutes or until heated through. Don’t preheat the oven before adding the pizza! I have a comprehensive post with tips and tricks for reheating pizza here.

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