Jalapeño Bites

Football party, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Tuesday afternoon. You don't really need an excuse to make Jalapeño Bites.  This is a fun take on jalapeño poppers.



Jalapeño Bites are a fun take on jalapeño poppers.

Servings: 15-20 pieces

Time:  Prep: 10 minutes   Cooking:  15-20 minutes
Hardware:  A cutting board and knife, a skillet, a deep skillet, a mixing bowl, a small bowl, a large metal slotted spoon, a plate, paper towels, a spoon, a work surface, an oil thermometer

Ingredients:

• 3 pieces of bacon
• 1-8oz package cream cheese
• ⅓ cup pickled jalapeños
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• water
• 15-20 wonton wrappers
• 1-2 cups of oil for frying

1. Cook the bacon until it is crispy.  Set aside.
2. Place a paper towel on the plate. Set aside.
3. Chop the jalapeño peppers as small as possible.
4. Mix the cream cheese, crumbled bacon, jalapeños, and cheddar cheese together.
5. Put a little water in the bowl.
6. Put enough oil in the skillet to fill it about half way up.  Pre-heat the oil until it is 350°.  You will want to monitor the oil temperature and keep it between 320° and 350°.
7. While the oil is heating, place a wonton wrapper with one corner closest to you as if you were looking at a diamond.
8. Place 2 teaspoons of the mixture in the center of the wrapper.
9. Fold two of the edges over, now you sort of have a tube.
10. Fold the remaining corners in toward the first two.  Pinch the edges to seal, using a little water to act as glue.  Be careful not to tear the wrapper. (If you do, use the smallest piece of wrapper you can and a little water to patch the hole.) Make sure the bite is completely sealed.
11. Place the bites in a single layer in the hot oil. 
12. Allow the bites to cook for about 2 minutes and then turn.
13. The bites are done as soon as they become golden brown.
14. As they finish, place them on the plate to drain.  You can place the plate in the oven on the lowest setting to keep them warm.
15. Serve right away.