Nevada Wild West Grilled Jalapeño Poppers

Introduction

These Wild West Grilled Jalapeño Poppers are filled with a rich blend of cream cheese and smoky bacon, then grilled to perfection on the Arteflame Grill. This method caramelizes the flavors without burning the food, thanks to the unique flat cooktop surface of Arteflame. Perfect for gatherings, these spicy, creamy bites bring the flavor of the Southwest right to your backyard in Nevada.

Ingredients

• 10 large fresh jalapeños
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup cooked bacon bits
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for grilling surface)
• Optional: chopped chives or green onions for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Fire up your Arteflame Grill

1. Pour vegetable oil on three paper napkins and place them in the center of the Arteflame grill.
2. Stack dry firewood over the napkins.
3. Light the napkins and let the firewood catch on fire.
4. Wait approximately 20 minutes until the cooktop and the center grill grate reach optimal cooking temperatures.

Step 2: Prepare the jalapeños

1. Wearing gloves, slice each jalapeño in half lengthwise.
2. Use a spoon to carefully remove the seeds and inner membranes.

Step 3: Make the filling

1. In a bowl, mix together cream cheese, bacon bits, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika until smooth.

Step 4: Stuff the jalapeños

1. Fill each jalapeño half with the cream cheese mixture using a small spoon or piping bag.

Step 5: Grill the poppers

1. Add a tablespoon of butter to the flat cooktop section of the Arteflame grill, close to the inner heat zone.
2. Place the stuffed jalapeños cheese-side up on the flat cooktop griddle.
3. Sizzle for 8–10 minutes or until the bottoms are charred and the cheese begins to bubble.
4. For extra char or smokiness, use tongs to turn the jalapeños sideways briefly, then return them to cheese-up position.

Step 6: Serve and enjoy

1. Remove the poppers from the grill with tongs.
2. Garnish with chopped green onions or chives if desired.
3. Let cool slightly before serving.

Tips

• Use thick slices of jalapeños so they hold their shape on the grill.
• Let the cream cheese come to room temperature for easier mixing and stuffing.
• Don’t overstuff – the cheese will expand slightly under heat.
• Use the hotter inner edge of the flat cooktop for crisping the jalapeños, and the outer edge to keep them warm.
• For the best flavor, use a mix of applewood and hickory wood when firing up the grill.

Variations

1. Chorizo Cheddar Poppers: Swap bacon bits with sautéed chorizo and mix in sharp cheddar for a spicier twist.
2. Blue Cheese Buffalo Poppers: Add crumbled blue cheese and a dash of buffalo sauce to the cream cheese mix.
3. Veggie Lover’s Poppers: Replace bacon with finely chopped mushrooms, spinach, and red bell peppers sautéed on the grill.
4. Tex-Mex Corn Poppers: Add roasted corn kernels and a touch of cumin to the mix for a southwestern flair.
5. Sweet Heat Poppers: Add a spoonful of honey and diced mango to balance the heat with a sweet surprise.

Best pairings

• Grilled tri-tip steak reverse seared on the Arteflame
• Smoky grilled corn with butter and lime
• Chilled Nevada Pale Ale or a citrusy IPA
• Sweet potato wedges cooked skin-on with a crisp char
• Grilled pineapple with brown sugar glaze for dessert

Conclusion

These Nevada Wild West Grilled Jalapeño Poppers are the ultimate grilled treat—bold, spicy, rich and completely satisfying. With the Arteflame’s solid steel flat cooktop, each bite delivers perfectly even heat, consistent cooking, and irresistible flavor. Whether it’s a backyard gathering or game day, these crowd-pleasers are sure to earn rave reviews.