Jalapeño Popper Sliders on Mini Bagels

Jalapeno Popper Sliders on Mini Bagels are mini burgers that pack a big flavor punch with popper flavors in the burger mixture and sandwiched on a soft bagel bun. Put these on your next weekend grill menu and fall in love like I did.

These Jalapeño Popper Sliders take everything you love about classic jalapeño poppers and turn it into the ultimate party slider.

Juicy mini burger patties are mixed with cream cheese and diced pickled jalapeños, then layered onto toasted mini bagels with a rich bacon cream cheese spread. The result is creamy, smoky, tangy, and just spicy enough to keep things interesting. A little arugula adds a fresh bite to balance all that indulgence (we’re trying, okay?). Whether you’re looking for an easy party appetizer, game day snack, or a fun twist on burger sliders, these jalapeño popper sliders are guaranteed to disappear fast.

Why Jalapeño Popper Sliders Work

All the things you love about jalapeño poppers – creamy, smoky, with a kick – get tucked into a juicy burger and sandwiched between chewy mini bagels. The pickled jalapeños cut through the richness, the bacon-whipped cream cheese is the perfect smoky spread, and that little hit of arugula makes you feel like you made a responsible decision (we can pretend).

Pro Tips

• Pickled jalapeños > fresh here – they bring acid, not just heat.
• If your cream cheese is fighting you, let it sit out longer or give it a quick whip.
• Make the patties slightly larger than the bagels, they’ll shrink as they cook.
• Want extra drama? Add a slice of cheddar while the burgers are hot.

What to Serve With Jalapeno Popper Sliders

• Chips (classic, no notes)
• A crunchy slaw to balance the richness
• Something cold and bubbly to keep things in check

The jalapeno popper has been a source of inspiration for foodies, home cooks, restaurant chefs, and yours truly, to make spin-offs.

There are different jalapeno recipes, jalapeno popper recipes, burger recipes, etc.

Why not? The elements of this beautiful, yet simple, little appetizer can be destructed and reconstructed to make so many things. You can definitely use storebought mini bagels, or make your own – I’ve done both, and they’re fantastic either way. Go here for my recipe for homemade bagel buns.

FAQs

Can I make jalapeño popper sliders ahead of time?

Yes, with a little strategy. You can prep the bacon cream cheese spread and form the slider patties up to a day in advance. Store both covered in the fridge. Cook the sliders and assemble the bagel sliders just before serving so the bagels stay toasty and everything holds together.

What’s the best way to keep sliders warm for a party?

Place assembled sliders on a baking sheet, loosely tent with foil, and keep them in a low oven (around 200°F). Just don’t leave them too long or the bagels will start to lose their texture.

Can I use fresh jalapeños instead of pickled?

You can, but pickled jalapeños really make these jalapeño popper sliders shine. They add tang and balance the richness of the cream cheese and beef. If you go fresh, consider adding a splash of vinegar or lime juice to compensate.

What kind of bagels work best for slider bagels?

Mini plain bagels are ideal because they don’t compete with the flavors. If you want to mix it up, everything bagel sliders are also a solid (and slightly chaotic) choice.

Can I make these sliders with a different protein?

Absolutely. Ground turkey or chicken works well, though you may want to bump up seasoning slightly since they’re leaner than beef. Even sausage would be…a little aggressive, but not wrong.

How spicy are jalapeño popper bagel sliders?

They’ve got a mild-to-medium heat, depending on your jalapeños. Pickled jalapeños tend to be more tangy than fiery, so these are very crowd-friendly.

Can I make these without bacon?

You can. The bacon adds smoky depth, but the sliders will still be rich and flavorful without it. Maybe add a pinch of smoked paprika to the cream cheese to make up for it.

About the bacon…

A few years ago, I fell in love with this bacon called Bill E.’s Bacon in south Alabama. It is seriously the best quality, not to mention the most delicious bacon I seriously have ever had.

As a matter of fact, I qualified for World Food Championships about three years ago with a phenomenal burger using his bacon.

Have these made you hungry yet? Put these sliders on your next grilling menu and make sure to tag me on Insta and Facebook.

Here’s your printable – 

Continue to Content

Jalapeño Popper Sliders on Mini Bagels

Yield: 6 sliders

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Jalapeño Popper Bagel Sliders with juicy beef, cream cheese, bacon, and pickled jalapeños - an easy, crowd-pleasing party appetizer or game day favorite.

Print

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground round
• 6 oz cream cheese, at room temp, divided
• ½ yellow onion, diced
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp sea salt
• 1 tsp coarse pepper
• 1 fresh jalapeno, diced small
• ½ lb. bacon, cooked and crushed
• ¼ cup mayo
• 6 small bagels, split
• Baby Arugula

Instructions

1. Combine ground round, 2 oz cream cheese, diced jalapeno, Worcestershire and salt and pepper, make into burgers a little bit bigger than the bagel size. (They will shrink a little)
2. Melt butter slightly in a grill pan and add burgers over medium heat, turning each burger once on each side when it's seared. Remove when they are at desired temp, turn heat off, and leave the burger juices in the pan.
3. Add split bagel buns to the pan and cover for 1-2 min, until soft and a little brown on the inside part of bun.
4. Combine the remaining cream cheese, mayo and arugula.
5. Assemble by spreading each bun side with cream cheese/bacon mixture, arugula, burger and top of bagel bun. If you have extra bacon, sprinkle on top before adding top bun!

Recommended Products

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated websites.

• 
  KnifeSaga Knife Set, Premium 15 Piece Japanese High Carbon Stainless Steel Knives
• 
  Acacia Serving Cutting Charcuterie Board With Round Handle, 18 x 8 inches
• 
  KitchenArt Adjust-A-Burger Press Set, Plastic, 2-Piece, White

Notes

I found the little bagels in the bakery section of Publix, and I have also bought them at Target. Most of your grocery stores will carry them.

Feel free to adjust the jalapeno pepper amount; use 1/2 of the amount if your family or guests are a fan of heat at all. Use 2 if they love heat!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 Amounts Per Serving: Calories: 758Total Fat: 46gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 24gCholesterol: 147mgSodium: 2362mgCarbohydrates: 41gFiber: 1gSugar: 8gProtein: 43g

The provided nutrition calculated may not always be accurate.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Facebook

Pin it!!