Halloween Jalapeño Popper Mummies are such a fun and delicious treat to serve at any spooky party! These little mummies are made by stuffing jalapeños with creamy cheese and wrapping them up in flaky pastry to look like tiny wrapped mummies. They’re perfectly spicy, cheesy, and have a delightful crunch that everyone loves.
I always get a kick out of making these because the wrapping process is as much fun as eating them. I usually sneak a few while I’m prepping, and it’s hard to stop once you start because the combination of warm cheese and jalapeño heat is just irresistible. Plus, those little “eyes” made from tiny dots of pepper or olives give them the cutest, spookiest look.
When I serve these, I like to arrange them on a big platter with some cool ranch or sour cream on the side. It’s a great way to cool down the heat and adds a nice tang. Everyone at the party can’t help but smile and reach for one, which makes me love serving these even more. They’re a simple way to bring some Halloween spirit to the table with tasty, finger-friendly fun!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Jalapeños: Fresh jalapeños give just the right kick. If you prefer less heat, try mini sweet peppers or remove all seeds and membranes carefully. Gloves are helpful to avoid burning sensations on your skin.
Cream Cheese & Cheeses: The cream cheese adds smooth richness, while cheddar and mozzarella create melty, stretchy goodness. You can swap cheddar for Monterey Jack or pepper jack for extra spice.
Crescent Roll Dough or Puff Pastry: Both work well for wrapping. Crescent dough is buttery and soft, while puff pastry bakes up extra flaky. You can use store-bought frozen versions for convenience.
Edible Eyes: Candy eyes are fun, but small dots of black olive or a dab of black food gel also do the trick to bring your mummies to life.
How Can I Wrap Jalapeños to Look Like Mummy Bandages?
To get that cute mummy look, slice your dough into thin strips—about 1/4 inch wide works great. Wrap these strips gently and overlapping all around the stuffed jalapeño, leaving space at the top for the eyes.
- Don’t wrap the dough too tightly—loose wrapping looks more like real bandages and gives room for the cheese to peek through.
- Leave some gaps so the cheese melts and browns in spots, adding character to each mummy.
- If dough slips off when baking, chill the wrapped jalapeños in the fridge for 10 minutes before baking to help dough set.
Take your time and have fun with the wrapping – each mummy can have its own unique look!
Equipment You’ll Need
- Baking sheet – perfect for holding your mummies as they bake evenly and crisp up nicely.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat – prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
- Sharp knife – helps you slice jalapeños and dough strips cleanly.
- Mixing bowl – for combining the cheese and spices smoothly.
- Spoon or small spatula – to fill jalapeños neatly with the cheese mixture.
- Oven mitts – to safely handle the hot baking sheet when removing from the oven.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Swap cream cheese with goat cheese for a tangy twist that pairs well with jalapeño heat.
- Add cooked, crumbled bacon to the cheese mix for a smoky, meaty bite.
- Include chopped cilantro or green onions in the filling for fresh herbal notes.
- Use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar for a spicier, more flavorful filling.
Halloween Jalapeño Popper Mummies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Jalapeño Popper Filling:
- 10 fresh jalapeño peppers
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Wrapping & Decoration:
- 1 package (about 8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough or puff pastry
- Edible candy eyes or small dots of black olive or black food gel for eyes
- Cooking spray or oil (for greasing the baking sheet)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes for preparation and roughly 15-20 minutes to bake. Overall, plan for about 30-35 minutes from start to finish.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper to keep the mummies from sticking.
2. Prepare the Jalapeños:
Slice the jalapeños in half lengthwise. Use gloves to carefully remove all seeds and membranes if you prefer less heat. This is important to avoid any skin irritation.
3. Make the Cheese Filling:
In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar and mozzarella, minced garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix everything well so it’s smooth and ready to fill.
4. Fill the Jalapeños:
Spoon the cheese mixture evenly into each jalapeño half, pressing gently to fill the cavity without overflowing.
5. Prepare the Dough Strips:
Unroll the crescent roll dough or puff pastry onto a clean surface. Using a knife or pizza cutter, slice into thin strips about ¼ inch wide.
6. Wrap the Jalapeño Poppers:
Wrap each stuffed jalapeño half with the dough strips, leaving a little space at the top for the “eyes.” Overlap strips loosely to look like mummy bandages, so some cheese peeks through.
7. Bake Your Mummies:
Place the wrapped jalapeños on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese inside is bubbly and melted.
8. Add the Eyes and Serve:
Right after baking, place edible candy eyes or small dots of black olive or food gel onto the exposed cheese for mummy eyes. Let them cool slightly, then serve warm.
Enjoy your spooky, cheesy Halloween Jalapeño Popper Mummies – a fun and tasty treat sure to be a hit!
Can I Use Frozen Jalapeños for This Recipe?
It’s best to use fresh jalapeños for the best texture and flavor. If you only have frozen, thaw them fully and pat dry to remove excess moisture before stuffing.
What Can I Substitute for Crescent Roll Dough?
Puff pastry works wonderfully and creates a flakier texture. You could also use biscuit dough, but the result will be a bit different in texture and appearance.
How Do I Make These Less Spicy?
Remove all seeds and membranes carefully, as most of the heat comes from these parts. You can also choose milder peppers like mini sweet peppers if you prefer a little heat without the burn.
Can I Prepare These Ahead of Time?
Yes! Assemble the poppers and wrap them in dough, then keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to bake. Bake fresh to maintain the best texture and flavor.
