Jalapeño Popper Wonton Cups

Your favorite game day snack just got a delicious (and healthier) upgrade. My Jalapeño Popper Wonton Cups are a unique twist on the traditional jalapeño poppers that you know and love, but are made with wonton wrappers (rather than breaded) and are baked, not fried. Plus, this recipe can easily be made dairy-free, which means it’s the perfect recipe for all of my vegan friends! Run to your kitchen and make these ASAP – they just might become your new snack!

When you think about your favorite (not-so-healthy) snack, what comes to mind? For me, it’s two things: first, cream cheese wontons, and second, jalapeño poppers. Both of these delicious and indulgent snacks aren’t exactly what you would label as “heathy”, but they sure are delicious, which, in my opinion, makes them totally worth it… even if my gut isn’t always happy, afterwards.

So, in my quest to create the ultimate snack, I decided to bring these two loves together, and thus my delicious Jalapeño Popper Wonton Cups were born. Like mentioned above, this is the perfect snack for game day (Super Bowl, anyone?) but also for anytime that you are craving a decadent and delicious savory snack!

Now, you may be wondering if this recipe is healthy, and I’ll leave that decision up to you. To answer that question, however, I will say this: they are certainly healthier than any frozen or restaurant-made jalapeño poppers, because we’re using simple, whole ingredients here, without anything funky. However, is this recipe still loaded with cheese? Yes, it is. So, while it may not fit my personal definition of the healthiest snack out there, it is certainly delicious, totally worth it, and can be made a bit healthier by making it dairy-free.

How to Make This Recipe Dairy-Free

To make these Jalapeño Popper Wonton Cups completely dairy-free and vegan-friendly, simply swap the cheese ingredients for dairy-free alternatives! For the cream cheese, I actually use dairy-free cream cheese by default, since I prefer it over traditional cream cheese. The Kite Hill brand is my favorite, and I highly recommend it!

And for the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, you can easily swap these out for dairy-free options, too! For the cheddar, I love the Violife Cheddar Shreds, and for the mozzarella, I recommend the 365 by Whole Foods Plant Based Shreds, or the Good Planet Plant-Based Mozzarella Shreds.

What You Need to Make These Jalapeño Popper Wonton Cups

All you need are 8 unique ingredients in order to make this recipe! They are so simple and easy, and you may even have a few of them already sitting in your fridge.

• Wonton Wrappers: Now, if you really want to do the most here, you can totally make your own wonton wrappers. But for the sake of time, ease, and – let’s be honest – our mental sanity, I’m using pre-made wonton wrappers. You can usually find them in the vegan / health food refrigerated section of your local grocery store!
• Cream Cheese: As mentioned above, I’m using dairy-free cream cheese in this recipe. But any cream cheese will do!
• Cheddar Cheese: The shredded cheddar cheese adds depth and sharpness to this recipe, which blends wonderfully with the cream cheese!
• Mozzarella Cheese: And to balance out the sharpness of the cheddar, we’re adding in mozzarella for a more balanced, mild flavor. The combo here is truly so good!
• Chives: Chives have a mild, herby flavor and add brightness and color to this dish. Don’t skip!
• Scallions: Scallions bring that mild, onion-y flavor that works wonderfully in this recipe.
• Ground Black Pepper: Since this recipe is salty enough with the cheese, a touch of black pepper helps to balance it out!
• Chopped Jalapeños: Of course, this wouldn’t be a jalapeño popper recipe without the jalapeños!

How to Make This Easy, Delicious, Game-Day Snack

This recipe could not be easier to make. Simply start by preheating your oven to 350 F and grease a muffin tin with some oil. Place a wonton wrapper inside each cavity, and bake them for approximately 6 minutes. As a “pro-tip”, I like to double up on my wonton wrappers and use 2-3 per cavity, so that there’s a little bit more of a substantial “crust”.

Then, while the wrappers are baking, you’ll prepare the filling. Add your remaining ingredients into a bowl, and mix until well combined. When the wontons are done, simply remove them from the oven, let them cool, and then scoop some of the cream cheese mixture into each one. Top with more cheese and a sliced jalapeño, if desired (but let’s be honest, who doesn’t desire MORE cheese?!) and bake them for 20 minutes.

These little poppers are best served immediately, and eaten warm for the best flavor! And if you’re looking for the perfect accompaniments to this recipe, I recommend serving them alongside my Air Fryer Pretzel Bites, my Crunchy Teriyaki Cauliflower Wings, or even my Creamy Vegan Queso, to complete your ultimate game-day spread!

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment/rating below. And, since I practically live on Instagram, be sure to tag me in your creations, so I can see them and repost on my IG stories! Enjoy! xx

** Photography by Gayle McLeod