Jalapeño Popper Pizza Recipe

Introduction

Jalapeño Popper Pizza is a delicious twist on the classic spicy appetizer, combining creamy cheese and fresh jalapeños on a crispy pizza crust. It’s a flavorful treat that’s perfect for game day or a fun weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 ball of pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)
• 2 fresh jalapeños (sliced and seeds removed; leave seeds if you want it extra spicy)
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 6 ounces cream cheese (softened)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 cup shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese (about 4 slices)
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives to garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Lightly coat a pizza pan or baking sheet with olive oil. Using your hands, shape the pizza dough into a circle about 10 inches in diameter. Transfer the dough to a pan lined with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
3. Step 3: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the pizza dough, leaving about a 3/4 to 1-inch border around the edges. Layer the mozzarella cheese slices on top, then sprinkle with shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Arrange the jalapeño slices evenly over the cheese.
4. Step 4: Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with chopped chives if desired, let cool for a few minutes, then slice and serve.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, leave the jalapeño seeds in or add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the cream cheese mixture.
• Try swapping Monterey Jack for sharp cheddar for a different cheesy flavor.
• Use fresh herbs like cilantro or green onions as a garnish to brighten the flavors.
• If you prefer a thinner crust, roll the dough out a bit more before baking.

Storage

Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm slices in a skillet over medium heat or in the oven at 375 degrees F until heated through to maintain crispiness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen pizza dough for this recipe?

Yes, frozen pizza dough works well. Just make sure to thaw it completely before shaping and baking.

How can I make this pizza less spicy?

Remove all the seeds and membranes from the jalapeños before adding them to the pizza, as that’s where most of the heat is concentrated.

Jalapeño Popper Pizza Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 71 reviews

This Jalapeño Popper Pizza combines the creamy, spicy flavors of jalapeño poppers with the cheesy comfort of a classic pizza. Featuring a soft pizza dough base topped with a seasoned cream cheese spread, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and fresh jalapeños, it’s baked to golden perfection and garnished with fresh chives for a burst of color and flavor. Perfect for a spicy snack or a fun dinner that kicks up the heat!

• Author: Caleb
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
• Total Time: 25-30 minutes
• Yield: 1 twelve-inch pizza, serves 2-3 people 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pizza Dough

• 1 ball of pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Toppings and Spread

• 6 ounces cream cheese (softened)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 cup shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese (about 4 slices)
• 2 fresh jalapeños (sliced, seeds removed; leave seeds for extra spice)
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare the Dough: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C). Lightly coat a pizza pan or baking sheet with olive oil. Using your hands, stretch and form the pizza dough into a roughly 10-inch diameter circle. Transfer the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or pizza pan.
2. Make the Cream Cheese Spread: In a small bowl, combine softened cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are combined and smooth.
3. Assemble the Pizza: Spread the seasoned cream cheese mixture evenly over the pizza dough, leaving about a 3/4 to 1 inch border around the edges. Layer the mozzarella cheese slices evenly over the cream cheese. Sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese on top. Distribute the sliced jalapeños evenly across the pizza, adding seeds if you prefer extra heat.
4. Bake the Pizza: Place the assembled pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheeses are melted and bubbly.
5. Garnish and Serve: Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with finely chopped chives or any other preferred toppings. Slice and serve warm.

Notes

• For extra spicy pizza, leave the jalapeño seeds in before baking.
• You can substitute the cream cheese with a vegan cream cheese alternative for a dairy-free version.
• Feel free to add bacon bits or cooked sausage for a non-vegetarian twist.
• Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easier cleanup.
• Allow pizza to cool slightly before slicing to avoid cheese sliding off.

Keywords: jalapeño popper pizza, spicy pizza, cream cheese pizza, Monterey Jack pizza, homemade pizza, jalapeño recipes