Table of Contents
Introduction
Halloween is the perfect time to take classic party foods and give them a festive twist. Enter Mummy Jalapeño Poppers—the perfect mix of creamy, spicy, and crunchy, all wrapped up in a spooky mummy disguise. These jalapeños are stuffed with a cheesy filling, wrapped in strips of crescent dough, baked until golden, and finished with little candy eyes. They look like adorable mini mummies crawling onto your party platter, but the flavor packs a serious punch.
In this article, I’ll share the story of how these became one of our family’s favorite Halloween appetizers, the simple ingredients you’ll need, step-by-step instructions, fun variations, and tips for serving them at parties.
The Story Behind Mummy Jalapeño Poppers
A Spicy Tradition with a Spooky Twist
Jalapeño poppers have always been a crowd-pleasing appetizer in our home. Marek loves them with extra cheese, Elizabeth enjoys the crunchy baked crust, and Emily giggles every time she gets a “too spicy” one. A few years ago, I decided to Halloween-ify them by wrapping them in strips of crescent dough. Once I added candy eyes, Emily shouted, “They look like mummies!” From that moment on, these jalapeño poppers weren’t just a party snack—they became a Halloween tradition.
Why They’re Special
Mummy Jalapeño Poppers check all the boxes: they’re flavorful, festive, and fun to make. The cheesy filling balances the heat of the jalapeño, while the crescent dough adds a buttery crunch. The best part? They’re easier to prepare than you might think. With just a handful of ingredients and a little creativity, you can serve up an appetizer that’s both playful and delicious.
Ingredients and Preparation
Ingredients
- 10 jalapeño peppers, halved and seeded
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tube refrigerated crescent roll dough (or puff pastry)
- 20 candy eyes (or small dots of cream cheese + olives)
Step-by-Step Preparation
- Prepare Jalapeños
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice jalapeños lengthwise and remove seeds and membranes. For less heat, rinse under water after seeding. - Make the Filling
In a bowl, mix cream cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth. - Stuff the Jalapeños
Fill each jalapeño half with a spoonful of the cheese mixture, smoothing the top. - Wrap Them Like Mummies
Roll out the crescent dough and cut into thin strips. Wrap each jalapeño half with strips of dough, leaving small gaps for the “mummy” effect. Make sure to leave room for eyes at the top. - Bake
Place wrapped jalapeños on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until dough is golden brown. - Add Eyes
Let cool slightly before pressing on candy eyes (or dots of cream cheese with olive slices). Serve warm.
Decorating Ideas and Creative Variations
Decorating Tips
- Candy Eyes: The classic choice, but if you don’t have them, use dots of cream cheese with tiny olive pieces or black sesame seeds.
- Different Wraps: Instead of crescent dough, use puff pastry for a flakier mummy.
- Spider Web Tray: Serve the mummies on a platter drizzled with sour cream “webs” for extra Halloween flair.
Flavor Variations
- Bacon-Wrapped Mummies: Wrap jalapeños in half strips of bacon before adding crescent dough for a smoky bite.
- Extra Spicy: Mix in chopped jalapeños or hot sauce to the filling.
- Milder Version: Use mini sweet peppers instead of jalapeños—great for kids.
- Cheese Variety: Try Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or pepper jack for different flavor profiles.
Serving, Storing, and Party Tips
Serving Suggestions
Mummy Jalapeño Poppers look fantastic on a Halloween party table. Arrange them on a black or orange platter with candy eyeballs sprinkled around. Pair them with spooky dips like guacamole “slime,” salsa “blood,” or sour cream “webs.” For extra fun, serve alongside other savory bites like Spider Pizza Bites or Pumpkin Deviled Eggs.
Storing and Reheating
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 5–7 minutes to restore crispness.
- Avoid microwaving—they’ll get soggy.
Party Tips
- Make Ahead: Assemble the stuffed and wrapped jalapeños up to 4 hours before baking. Keep covered in the fridge until ready to bake.
- Themed Platters: Place them around a bowl of salsa with a “pumpkin face” carved into the bowl for a festive display.
- Kids’ Version: Use sweet mini peppers so kids can enjoy the fun without the spice.
Mummy Jalapeño Poppers: Spooky, Cheesy, and Perfect for Halloween
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 20 poppers 1x
Description
Mummy Jalapeño Poppers are spicy, cheesy, and wrapped in flaky crescent dough to look like mini mummies—complete with candy eyes! This fun Halloween appetizer is both flavorful and festive, making it a party favorite that’s easy to assemble and even more fun to eat.
Ingredients
- 10 jalapeño peppers, halved and seeded
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tube refrigerated crescent roll dough (or puff pastry)
- 20 candy eyes (or small dots of cream cheese + olives)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice jalapeños lengthwise and remove seeds and membranes.
- In a bowl, mix cream cheese, cheddar, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Fill each jalapeño half with cheese mixture, smoothing the top.
- Roll out crescent dough and cut into thin strips. Wrap each jalapeño like a mummy, leaving gaps and space for eyes.
- Place on parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes until golden.
- Let cool slightly, then press on candy eyes (or use cream cheese and olive bits).
- Serve warm and enjoy the spooky bite!
Notes
Make ahead by stuffing and wrapping jalapeños up to 4 hours in advance and refrigerating before baking. Use sweet mini peppers for a milder version or bacon for extra flavor. Freeze unbaked and bake straight from frozen, adding 5–7 minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popper
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
FAQ: Mummy Jalapeño Poppers
How spicy are Mummy Jalapeño Poppers?
It depends on the jalapeños. Removing seeds and membranes makes them milder, while leaving some in adds heat.
Can I use sweet peppers instead of jalapeños?
Yes! Mini sweet peppers are perfect for a kid-friendly, non-spicy version.
Do I need candy eyes?
Not at all. You can make eyes with cream cheese, olives, or even dots of black sesame seeds.
Can these be frozen?
Yes. Freeze them unbaked after assembly, then bake straight from frozen, adding 5–7 extra minutes to the cook time.
Conclusion
Mummy Jalapeño Poppers are the ultimate Halloween appetizer—spicy, cheesy, and wrapped in a spooky mummy disguise. They’re festive enough for a party platter, yet simple enough to whip up for a cozy family night. With endless variations, from bacon-wrapped to kid-friendly sweet pepper versions, there’s a mummy for everyone. Whether you’re hosting a big Halloween bash or just adding some fun to your dinner table, these poppers are guaranteed to impress. Delicious, playful, and a little bit spooky, Mummy Jalapeño Poppers will become a tradition you’ll look forward to every October.
👉 I hope you had a blast making these Mummy Jalapeño Poppers—spicy, cheesy, and perfectly wrapped in “bandages” for a fun Halloween appetizer that’s as tasty as it is festive! 🌶️🧀👻
If you’re looking for more savory party-ready bites, try our juicy Crockpot Garlic Butter Steak Bites or dig into a cozy bowl of Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup for a hearty main. For something lighter to balance the spice, our Gluten-Free Greek Quinoa Salad makes a refreshing side.
Need more Halloween-worthy savory snacks? Over on SANTMD, you’ll love their cheesy Chicken Ricotta Meatballs or their super shareable Cheesy Garlic Bubble Bread—both perfect for party spreads.
And for more comfort food goodness, DanaRecipes has delicious twists like Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders or their hearty Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet—guaranteed crowd-pleasers for fall gatherings.
Feel free to join us on our Facebook Page and Facebook Group for upd