Vegan Jalapeno Poppers

These easy Vegan Jalapeno Poppers are a perfect game day snack! They’re creamy, cheesy, and spicy, and served with a sweet raspberry dipping sauce. Easy to bake or air fry.

Looking for more vegan game day snacks? Check out my Buffalo Cauliflower Wings, Vegan Beer Cheese, and Vegan Mozzarella Sticks recipes as well!

Vegan Jalapeno Poppers on a tray next to a small bowl of raspberry sauce.

Are you looking for the best vegan game day snacks? Let me stop you right here because this Vegan Jalapeño Poppers Recipe is a must-make!

Just like the classic pub food, my vegetarian jalapeño poppers are bold and cheesy but made completely dairy-free. They’re easy to make, too! All you have to do is stuff hollowed and halved jalapeno peppers with a cheesy and simply seasoned cream cheese filling, top them with crispy breadcrumbs, and bake them until golden.

Serve them with the 2-ingredient raspberry dipping sauce on the side, then dig in! I bet you won’t be able to stop after just one.

Why you’ll love these baked jalapeno poppers

Creamy, cheesy, and spicy – The cheddar-filled cream cheese filling combined with the spicy jalapeno peppers feels like a flavor explosion in your mouth.
A super snack for the Super Bowl – One bite of this easy-to-make vegan appetizer and it’ll be a game day to remember!
Easy to make ahead of time – Running low on time? No problem! Just assemble the peppers and refrigerate them until it’s time to eat.

close up on Vegan Jalapeno Poppers on a tray next to a bowl of raspberry sauce.

Ingredients needed (with substitutions)

Jalapeno peppers – Look for large jalapeno peppers—they’re much easier to stuff with cream cheese! They should also feel firm and have bright green skins.
Vegan cream cheese – I’ve had great results making these vegan poppers with my homemade Vegan Cream Cheese, as well as some brands of store-bought cream cheese. Tofutti vegan cream cheese gave me the best results, while Violife and Trader Joe’s brand vegan cream cheese just melted when they were baked.
Onion and garlic powder
Vegan cheddar cheese shreds – The cheese shreds melt in the cream cheese mixture when the poppers are baked, giving you indulgent cheesy strings in every bite!
Breadcrumbs – Use panko breadcrumbs for an airy crunch.
Vegan butter
Fresh chives
Raspberry dipping sauce – Made from raspberry jam and water, this sweet and tart sauce pairs so nicely with the spicy peppers and luscious cream cheese filling. Either serve it on the side for dipping or drizzle it over the baked peppers.

ingredients for Vegan Jalapeno Poppers in individual white bowls.

How to make vegan jalapeno poppers

Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.

In a small bowl, mix the melted vegan butter and breadcrumbs.

In a separate small bowl, mix the vegan cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and cheddar cheese until combined.

breadcrumbs and butter stirred together in a white bowl.

using a spoon to stir a vegan cream cheese mixture in a white bowl.

Slice the jalapeños in half lengthwise, then use a small spoon to scoop out the membranes and seeds.

Wear disposable gloves when handling the jalapeños! The peppers contain a compound called capsaicin, which can burn if it touches your skin or eyes. If you don’t have gloves, avoid touching your eyes and face until after washing your hands really, really well.

using a spoon to scrape the seeds out of halved jalapeno peppers.

Add a scoop of the cream cheese mixture into each hollowed-out jalapeño and add a sprinkle of breadcrumbs on top.

Transfer the cream cheese-stuffed jalapeño poppers to a baking sheet and bake until the tops are golden brown.

stuffing halved jalapeno peppers with a cream cheese mixture.

unbaked Vegan Jalapeno Poppers on a baking sheet.

Meanwhile, make the raspberry sauce by microwaving the raspberry jam and water together in a bowl. Stir to combine.

Serve the vegan jalapeño poppers with raspberry sauce on the side for dipping and garnish the tops with fresh chopped chives. Enjoy!

baked Vegan Jalapeno Poppers on a baking sheet.

Serving suggestions

Personally, I love dunking a vegan jalapeno popper in raspberry dipping sauce because the spicy and fruity flavors are so great together. It isn’t, however, the only dipping sauce that goes well with the poppers. They’re also fantastic with a side of this Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce, Vegan Ranch Dressing, and avocado lime sauce.

And for the rest of the party spread, there’s so much to eat with jalapeno poppers! They’re a must-have on your game-day spread, along with:

Frequently asked questions

Are jalapeno poppers spicy?

Most of the spiciness is removed when we scrape the seeds and membranes out of the middle of the peppers. They’re still pretty spicy, but the cream cheese in the middle does a great job of balancing any heat.

Can they be made gluten-free?

Yes! Just use gluten-free breadcrumbs (regular or panko) instead.

Can you air fry jalapeno poppers?

Yes, you can air fry the vegan jalapeno poppers at 390ºF for 8 to 10 minutes or until the tops are golden brown. Leave some space in between each popper to help them cook evenly (you may need to air fry them in two batches).

Can I make them ahead of time?

Sure. To make the vegan stuffed jalapenos ahead, assemble them with the cream cheese filling and transfer them to an airtight container. They’ll keep in the fridge for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Add the breadcrumb topping before baking as normal (adding an extra couple of minutes to the bake time if needed).

Can you freeze leftover jalapeno poppers?

No, I don’t recommend freezing the baked jalapeno poppers because the textures change after thawing. Instead, store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.