How to Make the Perfect Vegan Jalapeno Poppers
American · Medium · 40 min · 6 servings
These fiery vegan jalapeno poppers are filled with a creamy cashew-based cheese mixture and baked until perfectly golden. This crowd-pleasing vegan appetizer delivers all the bold flavor and heat of traditional poppers without any dairy.
Why this recipe works
This Vegan Jalapeno Poppers recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 40 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 150 calories with 4g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 7 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 12 whole jalapenos halved and seeded
- 1 cup raw cashews soaked and drained
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.25 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prep Peppers
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Halve jalapenos lengthwise and remove seeds and membranes using a spoon. Arrange cut-side up on a lined baking sheet.
Step 2: Make Cashew Filling
Blend soaked cashews with nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt in a food processor until smooth and creamy. Scrape down sides as needed.
Step 3: Fill and Top
Spoon the cashew filling generously into each jalapeno half. Mix panko breadcrumbs with olive oil in a small bowl and sprinkle over the filled peppers.
Step 4: Bake and Serve
Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until jalapenos are tender and breadcrumb topping is golden brown. Allow to cool for 3 minutes before serving.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- raw cashews → store-bought vegan cream cheese for convenience
- panko breadcrumbs → gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe gluten-free
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not removing enough seeds and membranes making the poppers too spicy to enjoy
- Overfilling the peppers causing the filling to spill out during baking
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 150 calories, 4g protein, 10g carbs, 11g fat, 2g fiber.
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