Made with a dairy free enchilada cashew cream, these Whole30 bacon enchilada jalapeño poppers are the perfect party appetizer made with only 5 ingredients! A quick and easy dish that’s perfect for summer get togethers and game day.
Neighborhood get togethers are a lot of pressure for food bloggers. Everyone expects something pretty bomb from me when we all bring a dish to share. Typically I rise to the occasion, but only when I have some time to plan. And go grocery shopping. And have help with the kids. And am feeling creative. Just all that…no biggie.
Even with all that pressure, I still pretty much live for outings in my hood. Yes, there’s lots of food and wine and laughter. But more importantly, the kids entertain each other and run around like crazy people. It’s sort of like a built-in babysitter that wears your children out so you don’t have to. Glorious guys, glorious. Even the baby was a piece of cake – just sitting on the grass, watching the older kids screaming with delight, dancing to the Trolls soundtrack, making complete chaotic messes of all of our garages. Neighborhood gatherings are my jam.
So when I texted the group that I was bringing bacon jalapeño poppers, the stream of appropriate and inappropriate gif’s ranging from Babe the pig to hot dogs raining from the sky made the pressure even greater to get these right. Especially because I didn’t tell them I was making a dairy free, paleo, or even more ‘out there’ – a Whole30 bacon enchilada jalapeño poppers version of a classic favorite. I mean, can you even imagine the gif texts I’d get if I said, “oh hey guys I’m going to bring this traditional junk food appetizer but it will be a super clean version…and don’t TP my house”?!
Luckily, these were a HUGE hit. It wasn’t until AFTER I received rave reviews that I told them these puppies were paleo, Whole30, dairy free, the whole she-bang. Jaws dropped, praises were sung, food blogger status held strong. Phew. Oh and kids still alive. We know how to rock at this parenting (and eating) thing.
And with only 5 ingredients, these Whole30 bacon enchilada jalapeño poppers will definitely be on repeat all summer and rolling in to football season (yes, I’m thinking about football already). The center of each popper is filled with an enchilada cashew cream that subs beautifully for traditional cream cheese. Topped with a big ‘ol slice of avocado and wrapped in bacon, these jalapeño poppers have a super mild heat factor – since gutting out the seeds and membrane make them significantly less hot (for wusses like me).
If you aren’t doing a Whole30 or worried about keeping them paleo, I highly suggest adding a dollop of sour cream to top. Even more amazingness – trust me. If you ARE doing a Whole30, you’ll likely have to make your own enchilada sauce, as I’m not aware of one on the market that’s compliant. There’s a great (and easy) recipe here.
The bacon on these babies wraps so perfectly around, I didn’t need to secure with a toothpick, but you certainly can. These Whole30 bacon enchilada jalapeño poppers are highly addicting, crazy easy, and seriously bursting with flavor. A must make the next time you’re heading to a party and want to impress!
Here are some other ‘sharable’ recipes to bring to your next get together!
Warm Bacon Arugula Salad with Candied Cantaloupe
Skinny Paleo Lemon Artichoke Dip
Whole30 Pina Colada Coleslaw
Sweet Bacon & Broccoli Salad
Whole30 Bacon Enchilada Jalapeno Poppers
A dairy free, paleo game day favorite! These Whole30 Bacon Enchilada Jalapeño Poppers are the perfect healthy snack that will wow everyone at the party.
- Yield: 20 1x
Ingredients
- 10 jalapeños
- 1 large Haas avocado
- 1 cup cashews, soaked overnight in water
- 1/2 cup enchilada sauce (see recipe link HERE)
- 1 16oz package bacon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- Cut the tops off each jalapeño and cut in half. Using a spoon, scrape out the seeds and white membrane
- Drain the cashews and pour into a food processor. Add the enchilada sauce and pulse until smooth and creamy
- Scoop roughly 1 1/2 teaspoons of the cashew cream into each jalapeño half and top with a slice of avocado
- Gently wrap a piece of bacon around the jalapeño, securing with a toothpick if desired (not necessary). For smaller jalapeños, slice the bacon in half instead of using a whole strip to wrap
- Place the bacon jalapeños on a cooling wrack and place on top of a baking sheet to catch excess bacon grease
- Cook in the oven for 30 minutes
- If desired, top with a dollop of sour cream once cooled (if not Whole30 or paleo)
I love the avocado addition!!! I would probably make mine no cashews (sigh) and with cheese (though maybe I could find a substitute) but seriously these look bombastic
Though most things wrapped in bacon do!
Xxox
Laura @ http://www.cookwineandthinker.com
Your version I’m sure will be amazing too Laura!
They look SO GOOD Chrissa, and I’m glad you found something that really was simple and yet delicious. You got to take some rest sometimes from being a full time food blogger/amazing mama and wife. 🙂 I can see the Lord giving you the strength day by day.
Thanks Emily!! I am one blessed lady!
I would love to try these. My hubby is allergic to nuts. What could I use instead of the cashew butter that would be healthier then cream cheese
The only other nut-free sub that would be creamy like this that I can think of is cream cheese or ricotta?
Made these tonight for a BBQ I was invited to! I am not the cook in my household (thanks hubby) and these were easy enough for even me to pull off successfully! They were a hit! Thanks from Seattle!
Rock on! So glad they were well received Wendy!
is there a cream substitute thats whole 30 friendly if i am allergic to nuts?
Hmmmm, you could use full-fat coconut cream, but it might be a little runnier.
Do you think I could substitute salsa for the enchilada sauce as a time saver?
Possibly! I haven’t tried it but I would assume that might be a great alternative.
Hi Chrissa! These look incredible! For the life of me I cannot find the recipe for the filling! Would you be able to help me out, k have to try them! Thanks!
Sorry about that! It’s within the post but I JUST linked it now in the recipe card 🙂
Holy shi……itake mushroom this recipe is amazing! 🙂 Currently on Day 9 of a Whole30 and I’ve already made this twice! My boyfriend and I love it…it’s spicy, savory, salty. It’s a must try and so easy!
★★★★★
Hahaha best message ever. Nice use of words. Thanks for making me giggle!