CRUNCHY JALAPEñO TACO POPPERS RECIPE BY TASTY

Crunchy Jalapeño Taco Poppers Recipe by Tasty image

Provided by Betsy Carter

Yield 24 poppers

Number Of Ingredients 19

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24 jalapeñoes
1 lb ground beef
1 oz taco seasoning, 1 package
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium white onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup shredded cheese blend
½ cup cream cheese
4 eggs, beaten
1 ½ cups flour, mixed with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp pepper
4 cups cornflake cereal, crushed
1 cup cornflake cereal, finely ground
8 cups canola oil
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, for seasoning
salsa, for serving

Steps:

Slice the jalapeños lengthwise down the center, taking care to cut through only one side and leaving the pepper as intact as possible. Remove the seeds.
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, taco seasoning, salt, pepper, and cilantro. Mix to combine.
Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Cook the onion for 1 minute, then add garlic and cook another minute.
Add the beef mixture and cook until browned, approximately 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely.
In a clean, large bowl, combine the cooled beef mixture, shredded cheese, and cream cheese.
Transfer the beef mixture to a piping bag or zip-top bag with a corner snipped off.
Pipe the beef mixture into the jalapeños, then close the peppers.
Heat a large pot filled with the oil until it reaches 325ºF (170ºC).
Add the seasoned flour, eggs, and cornflakes to 3 separate shallow bowls. Dip the peppers in the egg, then the flour, followed by the egg again, and then the cornflakes. Dip once more in the egg and finish with a second dip in the cornflakes.
Fry the peppers, in batches, for 2½ minutes until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon or tongs and drain on a wire cooling rack.
Season the peppers well with salt and fresh lime juice.
Serve warm with salsa for dipping.
Enjoy!