Unlike the popular popper which is usually stuffed and fried, Jalapeno Popper Flatbread has many of the same ingredients, and is baked to perfection. All of the flavour you’d expect from a jalapeno popper, but without the hassle of deep-frying! Who’s ready to get their spice on!?
JALAPENO POPPER FLATBREAD
Two years ago, on a whim, we bought a box of frozen jalapeno poppers from our local grocery store. With trepidation, we both took the tiniest of bites. We were both afraid that it was going to be too hot and spicy. But, it wasn’t. Since then, we’ve been preparing meals and recipes with jalapenos, just like this Jalapeno Popper Flatbread.
I’m all for finger foods, and love to prepare food that we can eat on the couch in front of the TV. In another lockdown situation, our plan was to re-watch all of the Star Wars movies in sequence. John.e and McKenna are Star Wars nerds. I’m still being educated. If I was going to sit through those movies again, food was a must. That’s exactly why I prepared Jalapeno Popper Flatbread.
We managed to get through four of the movies. After that, we seemed to lose interest. To be honest, I only half pay attention to the movies any way. I can’t sit still and watch TV; I have to do something else at the same time. So, while we watch, I cross stitch. That helps to keep me from asking too many questions like, “Does that boy grow up to be Han or Darth Vader?”
WHAT IS A JALAPENO POPPER?
You might think it a bit silly for me to ask this, but I think it’s important. The way someone prepares a recipe can be 100% different from another person. A jalapeno popper is prepared with jalapeno peppers that have been hollowed out and stuffed with a mixture of cheese and other ingredients. They are then breaded and deep fried.
I happen to have Jalapeno Popper recipe made with three different cheeses. That’s why I called this flatbread a Jalapeno Popper Flatbread. Even though it isn’t deep fried, and the jalapenos are not stuffed, it has almost all of the ingredients it takes to make a deep fried popper. That’s reason enough, right?
PREPPING THE JALAPENOS
To properly prepare the jalapenos, these are the steps you should take. First and foremost, like in the case of all produce, you should wash the jalapenos. Once washed, cut the jalapenos into 1/4 inch slices. Trim the tail end and the stem; you can discard those.l
Next, you have a choice. You can remove the seeds or leave them in. I used to painstakingly remove every single seed, but now I like to leave a few in for heat. The seeds, and inner membranes, hold the most heat, so removing those can be a way to adjust the heat level.
Be careful what you touch with your hands. If you happen to touch your eyes after chopping jalapenos, it will be quite uncomfortable! If you’re worried, you can always use gloves and eliminate the risk.
IS IT A FLATBREAD OR A PIZZA?
There are several types of bread that can fall into the flatbread category. Some of them have yeast and some don’t. I tend to like a little bit of yeast in my flatbread and pizza dough. Not so much that it puffs up a lot, just enough so that it’s substantial enough.
If you’re not feeling up to making your own dough at home, you can certainly buy pre-made flatbread and still make a great tasting dinner. I have often purchased flatbread at the grocer, topped it with sauce, cheese, and our favourite toppings. It’s a great way to whip up dinner in a hurry. And, it’s a lot cheaper than pizza delivery!
This recipe will work perfectly with focaccia, even though it’s a very thick type of flatbread. Naan bread works very well! Roti will work well too, especially if you’re looking for an unleavened bread.
MORE JALAPENO RECIPES
I have a few jalapeno recipes here at Lord Byron’s Kitchen. Even though I love them all, otherwise I would not publish them, there are some that I love more than others. Jalapeno Corn Muffins is one of them. I can’t seem to get enough of those!
A close second would be my Sweet Jalapeno Pork. The jalapenos are deep fried and then tossed in the sauce with the pork. OMG, it’s so delicious! Lastly, is my Jalapeno Buttermilk Ranch Coleslaw. Eat it as is, but I love to pile it onto a pulled pork sandwich. Yum!
Jalapeno Popper Flatbread
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 3/4 cup warm tap water, 110 degrees
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Flatbread:
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 3-4 large jalapenos, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried red chili flakes, optional
- non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
For the Dough:
- Fill a metal mixing bowl with hot tap water and set aside for a few minutes. This will temper the bowl and help to ensure the yeast will properly activate. While you’re waiting for the bowl to warm, preheat the oven to 500 degrees – not broil, but degrees.
- Pour the hot water out of the bowl and wipe the bowl dry. Add the warm tap water and the yeast. Using a rubber spatula, gently stir the yeast into the water for no more than 5-10 seconds. Set aside and let the yeast bubble and foam for at least 3 minutes.
- Sift together 2 cups of the flour, salt, and sugar.
- Add the olive oil to the yeast and water mixture. Stir for a few seconds. Pour in the entire flour mixture and stir with a rubber spatula until the liquid is absorbed.
- Sprinkle your clean counter top with a little flour and empty the dough out. Knead the dough together for 4-5 minutes until a dough ball is formed. Place the dough back into the metal mixing bowl, cover with a tea towel, and set the bowl onto the top of your preheating oven. (Don’t place the bowl on a burner, just on the surface of the oven. The heat will help the dough to proof.) Let the dough sit for five minutes.
For the Flatbread:
- Lightly spray two baking sheets or pizza pans with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- When the dough is ready, lightly flour a flat surface, and using a floured rolling pin, roll half of the dough into a rectangular shape the size of your pan. Place the dough onto the baking sheet. Repeat with the other half of the dough on a second baking sheet or pizza pan.
- Next, whisk the egg and the tablespoon of water together. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the outer 1 inch perimeter of the flatbreads.
- Next, microwave the cream cheese in 30 second increments until very soft. When done, whisk the pizza sauce into the cream cheese until smooth. Smear this evenly onto both flatbreads.
- Evenly distribute the mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the two flatbreads.
- Next, top each flatbread with sliced jalapenos.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven. Sprinkle over parmesan cheese, dried oregano, dried red chili flakes, and garnish with the chopped parsley. Slice into wedges. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Nutrition
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