This recipe came about by chance when my husband and I were craving something to snack on while enjoying our weekend drinks. Beef, cheese, a few jalapeños for heat... this winning combination screams YUM to me. I am certain it'll taste great with pork mince too.
What you will need:
Air fryer: These cooked perfectly in my air-fryer however they can be made in an oven too.
Beef: Whether you're making poppers, kebabs, or meatballs, it's always best to use mince with high-fat content. As the meat is being cooked, the fat melts and creates more moisture.
Jalapeños: These bring a subtle, earthy heat to this dish you can add more or reduce if making for kids.
Minced Garlic/Garlic powder: I prefer using powder to avoid biting into garlic bits
Sauces: I use BBQ for the sweetness and hickory flavors and Worcestershire for an added kick.
Vegetable: I'm always trying to add vegetables so I used red pepper and onion both optional.
Herbs: Fresh parsley, dried basil, and oregano combine to create a more complex flavor profile
Eggs
Bread crumbs
Cheese: cheddar cheese but could also use soft cream cheese.
These poppers can be eaten as they are or if you like a spicy/sweet sticky sauce coating, I made a sauce using beef broth and sauces and tossed the poppers in them.
Jalapenos and beef poppers
Ingredients:
Beef: 1 kg minced beef
Eggs: 2
Red capsicum: 1 medium-sized, chopped finely
Jalapeños: 5, chopped finely
Onion: 2 medium-sized or 1 big
Bread crumbs: 1 Cup
Onion powder: 1 Tsp
Garlic powder: 2 Tsp
BBQ sauce: 2 Tbsp
Worcestershire sauce: 2 Tbsp
Dried oregano: 2 Tsp
Dried basil: 2 Tsp
Salt and pepper, to taste
For the sauce:
Beef stock: 1 Cup
BBQ sauce: 1 Tbsp
Sriracha: 1 Tbsp
Rice vinegar: 2 Tsp
Brown sugar: 1 Tbsp
Worcestershire sauce: 1 Tbsp
Tomato paste: 1 Tbsp
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
If using a conventional oven, preheat it to 200C (400F) degrees. Lightly spray a 9x13 pan or a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
Mix all the ingredients together except for the cheese.
Shape into 35 roughly shaped meatballs.
Cut the cheese into 35 bite-sized pieces and set aside, one for each meatball and if using soft cream cheese, use small spoonfulls of the same.
Working one at a time, take a meatball and flatten it in the palm of your hand. Place a piece of cheese in the center and wrap the meatball around the cheese, sealing it inside the middle.
If using an air fryer, place the balls in at 180 C (350 F) for 20 minutes. If using the oven, cook in the preheated oven for 30-35mins.
7. While the poppers are getting done, in a skillet add the beef broth, Worcestershire, Sriracha sauces and sugar, bring it to a boil.
8. Add the poppers to this once it's done cooking, stir it till well coated.
9. Enjoy on their own, or preferably alongside a cold drink!
