Jalapeño Popper Pockets
Game Day Gold: Jalapeño Popper Pockets That Stole the Super Bowl Show
If you caught the Super Bowl yesterday, you know it was a nail-biter. But let me tell you what really had people talking at my watch party – these Jalapeño Popper Pockets.
I'd been tinkering with this recipe for a while, trying to figure out how to combine two of the greatest game day foods ever created: jalapeño poppers and handheld meat pies. The result? A crispy, cheesy, smoky pocket of pure deliciousness that had my guests coming back for seconds (and thirds, and fourths...).
The Idea Behind the Madness
Let's be honest – jalapeño poppers are amazing, but they're kind of a pain to eat during a game. You need a plate, maybe a napkin, and you're stuck in one spot. I wanted something you could grab with one hand while celebrating a touchdown with the other. Enter: the Jalapeño Popper Pocket (or as I like to call it, the "Calpeno" – calzone meets jalapeño).
This thing is a total belly filler. We're talking four kinds of cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, Asiago, and cream cheese), roasted jalapeños, crispy Big Fork Hickory & Applewood Bacon Sausage, all wrapped up in golden, flaky pizza dough and topped with everything bagel seasoning. It's ridiculously good.
The Game Day Prep
Here's my pro tip: make your pizza dough the day before. I mixed up a basic dough Saturday afternoon and let it ferment overnight in my oven using the proof setting. That extra time gives the dough a slightly tangy, more complex flavor that takes these pockets to the next level. Plus, it's one less thing to worry about on game day.
The real magic happens with the jalapeños. Don't skip the roasting and steaming step – it's what gives them that smoky, sweet flavor without being too spicy. You broil them until the skins char, then steam them in a covered container so the skins peel right off. Game changer.
Assembly Is Half the Fun
Once you've got your filling mixed up (and seriously, that cream cheese mixture is so good you'll want to eat it with a spoon), rolling out the dough and stuffing these babies is actually pretty fun. Golf ball-sized portions of dough, roll them thin, add a big scoop of filling, fold it up like a little present, egg wash, sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning, and into the oven they go.
Fifteen to twenty minutes later, you've got crispy, golden pockets that smell absolutely incredible. Fair warning: people will hover around your kitchen asking when they'll be ready.
Turn Up the Heat
Want to kick things up a notch? Try swapping out some of the Hickory & Applewood for our Spicy 3-Pepper Bacon Sausage. It adds a serious kick that heat-lovers will go crazy for. You could also experiment with different cheese combinations or add some diced green onions to the filling.
The Verdict
These Jalapeño Popper Pockets were the MVP of our Super Bowl spread. They're hearty enough to be a meal on their own, but also perfect as a party appetizer. They're portable, they're packed with flavor, and most importantly, they're absolutely crave-worthy.
Whether you're hosting a watch party, tailgating, or just want an amazing snack, give these a try. Your taste buds (and your guests) will thank you.
Ready to make your own? Check out the full recipe below, and don't forget to grab some Big Fork Hickory & Applewood Bacon Sausage to make them truly unforgettable. Trust me – regular sausage just won't cut it.
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