Best 2 Hickory Smoked Jalapeño Poppers Recipes

FOX BROS. BAR-B-Q SMOKED PORK JALAPENO POPPERS

Steps:

• Bring a few inches of canola oil to 350 degrees F in a deep pot.
• Trim the tops from the jalapenos, then fry until blistered and soft, 5 to 8 minutes. Cut in half and remove seeds and membranes. (Keep oil warm.)
• Mix the cream cheese and Cheddar Jack together in a bowl.
• Open a jalapeno half and spread some Chopped Pork along the bottom of the jalapeno, making a 1/4- to 1/2-inch layer. Spread the cheese mixture along the top of the pork mixture. Repeat until all jalapeno poppers are prepped.
• Beat the eggs in a bowl. Add the flour to a second bowl. Add the breadcrumbs to a third.
• Roll the stuffed jalapeno in the flour first, then submerge it in the egg, then move to coat in the breadcrumbs. Set on a rack. Repeat until all jalapenos are breaded, then repeat the breading process one more time on all jalapenos.
• Bring frying oil back to 350 degrees F.
• Fry poppers until golden brown. Remove to a rack to dry. Serve with ranch dressing or your favorite dipping sauce.
• Preheat a smoker to 225 degrees F.
• Stir together the paprika, salt, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder and pepper in a bowl. (See Cook's Note.)
• Season the pork butt liberally with the dry rub (save the remainder for another use). Place on smoker and let smoke, adding wood chips as necessary to provide smoke, until the internal temperature registers 200 degrees F, 10 to 12 hours. Let rest for 2 hours, then chop.

SMOKY JALAPENO POPPERS

Steps:

• Put on your food prep gloves. Slice each jalapeno open lengthwise using a paring knife, then make a small crosswise cut at the stem end to form a T.
• Insert your (gloved!) fingertip through the top of the opening and gently wiggle the core loose, then remove. Rinse under cold water to remove any additional seeds. Pat dry gently with a paper or clean towel and set aside. Repeat with the remaining peppers.
• Combine the Cheddar, Asiago, cream cheese and smoked hot sauce in a large bowl until smooth and well blended.
• Gently nudge the cheese filling into each pepper with a spoon. To close the peppers, gently squeeze each one until it resembles its original shape. Don't worry if the peppers tear a bit, just squeeze them shut.
• Sift together the breadcrumbs, paprika, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a shallow bowl.
• Lightly beat the eggs in a second shallow bowl.
• One at a time, hold the peppers by the stems and dip them in the beaten eggs, letting the excess drip off, and roll in the breadcrumbs; dip in the eggs again and reroll in breadcrumbs. Set on a plate to dry slightly.
• In the meantime, heat 2 1/2 inches of the oil in a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed cast-iron skillet until a deep-fry thermometer registers 325 degrees F. Add three or four of the jalapeno poppers, making sure not to crowd your pan, and fry in batches until golden and crisp, about 5 minutes. Keep an eye on the temperature of the oil and adjust the heat as necessary so it stays steady.
• Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate; season with salt. Repeat with the remaining poppers and serve immediately.