Jalapeño Popper Stuffed Onion Rings
These Jalapeño Popper Stuffed Onion Rings are a flavorful and textured snack featuring crispy breaded onion rings stuffed with a creamy, spicy jalapeño cheese filling. Perfect as an appetizer or snack, they combine bold spice, melty cheese, and satisfying crunch in every bite.
- Author: Judy
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 stuffed onion rings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Onion Rings
- 2 large sweet or yellow onions
Jalapeño Popper Filling
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2–3 fresh jalapeños, finely diced (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Breading
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour for gluten-free version)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Frying
- Vegetable or canola oil, for frying
- Prepare the Onion Rings: Peel the onions and slice them into 1/2-inch thick rings. Carefully separate the rings and trim the smaller inner pieces to create large, even circles perfect for stuffing.
- Make the Jalapeño Popper Filling: In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, finely diced jalapeños (adjust quantity to taste), garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Stuff the Onion Rings: Take the larger onion rings and spread a generous amount of the jalapeño cheese filling between two rings, sandwiching them together to keep the filling inside during cooking.
- Bread the Stuffed Rings: Prepare a dredging station with flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs mixed with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. First, coat each stuffed ring in flour, then dip into egg, and finally press into the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated. For extra crispiness, double-dip by repeating the egg and breadcrumb coating.
- Fry the Rings: Heat oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry the stuffed onion rings in batches without overcrowding for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve your crispy, cheesy Jalapeño Popper Stuffed Onion Rings hot with your favorite dipping sauces like ranch, sriracha mayo, or sour cream for a memorable appetizer or snack.
Notes
- Use large, thick onion rings to hold the filling better and prevent breakage.
- Pat onions dry before stuffing for better breading adhesion.
- Avoid overfilling the rings to prevent filling leakage while frying.
- Maintain oil temperature at about 350°F for optimum crispness without greasiness.
- Double breading adds extra crunch.
- Drain fried rings well on paper towels to keep them crispy.
- For a lighter version, bake stuffed rings at 425°F (220°C) for about 20 minutes until golden.
- Gluten-free substitutions can be made for flour and breadcrumbs.
- Optional: Add crispy bacon bits to the filling for extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 stuffed onion rings
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Jalapeño popper, stuffed onion rings, spicy snack, appetizer, fried onion rings, cheesy snack