Jalapenos are a popular and versatile chili pepper that can add heat and crunch to many dishes. While fresh jalapenos have a bright, vegetal flavor, when pickled or fried they take on new dimensions of flavor and texture. Crispy fried jalapenos make an irresistible snack or appetizer. They also make a flavorful topping for a variety of Mexican and Tex-Mex inspired dishes.
In this article, we will discuss how to buy, prepare, and cook with crispy fried jalapenos. We’ll provide tips for frying up the perfect crispy jalapenos at home. We’ll also share creative recipe ideas to help you make the most of this tasty ingredient.
Buying Jalapenos for Frying
When selecting fresh jalapenos for frying, look for ones that are bright green and firm. Avoid jalapenos that have soft spots or brown flecks, which indicate spoilage. The small to medium sized jalapenos are best, as the larger ones can be tough.
Many grocery stores now sell already sliced and seeded jalapeno rings in the fresh produce section. This prepared option saves a lot of time. You can use either fresh whole jalapenos or pre-sliced rings for frying.
You may also find pickled jalapeno slices or whole pickled jalapenos. These make a quick and easy substitute, since they do not require prep work. However, the taste and texture will be different from fresh fried jalapenos.
Tips for Prepping Fresh Jalapenos
If starting with whole fresh jalapenos, the prep work is simple:
– Rinse the jalapenos under running water and pat dry. Leave them whole.
– Slice off the stem end, then cut a slit down one side from tip to top. Use gloves to protect your hands, as jalapenos contain oils that can burn skin.
– Use a paring knife to scrape out the seeds and membranes. Rinse again to remove any remaining seeds.
– Cut the pepper into thick slices, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide.
– Pro tip: Remove the seeds and membranes for a milder heat level. Leave some or all of the ribs and seeds if you want more heat.
Now the jalapeno rings are ready for breading and frying!
Breading and Frying the Jalapenos
Crispy fried jalapenos need a light coating of flour and breadcrumbs to achieve that irresistible crunch. Here is a simple breading procedure:
Ingredients
- Sliced fresh jalapenos
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Neutral oil for frying (vegetable, peanut, or canola oil)
Instructions
- Set up a breading station with 3 shallow bowls or plates. Place the flour in one, beaten eggs in the second, and breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder and salt in the third. Mix the seasonings into the breadcrumbs.
- Coat the jalapeno slices in flour and shake off any excess.
- Dip the floured slices into the beaten egg. Allow any excess to drip off.
- Finally, place the egged slices into the breadcrumb mixture. Press gently so the crumbs adhere evenly.
- Fill a heavy pot or Dutch oven with 2 to 3 inches of oil. Heat to 350°F. Use a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature.
- Fry the breaded jalapeno slices in batches for 1 to 2 minutes until golden brown. Flip them over halfway through.
- Transfer the fried jalapenos to a paper towel lined plate to drain.
- Season with a pinch of salt while hot.
The key to achieving crispy fried jalapenos is maintaining the temperature of the oil. If it drops too low, the coating will absorb oil and turn greasy. If the oil is too hot, the exterior will burn. Frying in small batches helps maintain the ideal temperature.
Adjust the breading proportions to suit your tastes. Add more flour for a thicker crust, or extra breadcrumbs for added crunch. For a spicy kick, add cayenne or chili powder to the flour or breadcrumb mixture.
Serving Ideas for Crispy Jalapenos
Now that you’ve mastered the technique for frying up crispy jalapenos, it’s time to enjoy them! Here are some delicious ways to eat crispy fried jalapenos:
Appetizers and Snacks
Crispy fried jalapenos make finger-licking good appetizers and snacks on their own. Serve them hot right from the fryer with dipping sauces like ranch, salsa, guacamole, or chipotle mayo.
For a creative twist, stuff the jalapeno slices with cream cheese, Cheddar, or Monterey jack before breading. Secure with toothpicks after frying.
You can also spike the breading for added flavor. Coat jalapeno rings in Japanese panko for extra crunch, or smash spicy Fritos to create a crispy coating.
Salads and Bowls
Turn up the heat on your next salad or grain bowl with crispy jalapenos. They add a marvelous crunch factor alongside mixed greens, shredded veggies, grilled chicken, and avocado. For a tangy, Southwestern kick, pair them with citrus vinaigrette and cotija or feta cheese.
Nachos and Potatoes
Pile crispy jalapenos on top of fully loaded nachos for an addictive flavor and texture contrast. They also make cheesy baked potatoes extra special. Mix them into potato skins or twice-baked potatoes along with bacon, scallions, and cheddar.
Tacos, Burgers, and Sandwiches
Mexican-inspired tacos, burgers, and sandwiches all benefit from the addition of crispy fried jalapenos. They add a nice spice and crunch. Slip a few slices into your next burrito along with beans, rice, and guac. Top off BBQ bacon cheeseburgers or Philly cheesesteaks with the peppers for a kick.
Pizza, Pasta, and Rice
Don’t leave out Italian-inspired dishes! Use crispy jalapenos to garnish pizza, calzones, pasta, or rice balls. Add them to shrimp scampi, chicken parmesan, and other cheesy baked pasta dishes. They’ll hold up to simmering, baking, and broiling while infusing food with a hint of heat and spice.
Soups and Stews
Round out the flavors of hearty soups, chilis, and stews by topping with crispy fried jalapenos. They add a nice crunch and spice blast to balance brothy dishes. Add them to loaded baked potato soup, vegetarian chili, short rib stew, or chicken tortilla soup.
Everyday Favorites
Don’t limit crispy jalapenos to Mexican food alone – they improve all types of savory dishes. Sprinkle them over omelettes, fried rice, ramen noodles, roasted vegetables, chicken wings, fish tacos, and egg sandwiches. Their versatility makes them an easy way to put a flavorful finishing touch on everyday meals.
Storage Tips
Have leftovers after frying up a batch of crispy jalapenos? Here are some storage techniques:
– Let fried jalapenos cool completely before storing.
– Place in an airtight container. Glass or plastic work well.
– Store in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Reheat in a 300°F oven until warm and crispy, about 5 minutes.
– For longer storage, keep fried jalapenos in the freezer up to 2 months. Reheat frozen jalapenos straight from freezer.
– You can also freeze raw, sliced jalapenos for up to 3 months before breading and frying them. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
With proper storage, you can enjoy crispy fried jalapenos for quick meals throughout the week.
Common Questions
If you’re new to frying jalapenos, you may have some questions. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Why do you soak the jalapenos in buttermilk?
Soaking sliced jalapenos in buttermilk before breading helps tenderize the flesh and infuse flavor. The acids in buttermilk break down tough fibers. It creates tangy, tasty fried jalapenos.
What oil is best for frying jalapenos?
Opt for oils with high smoke points like peanut, vegetable, canola, or safflower oil. Avoid olive oil, which can burn at frying temperatures.
My jalapenos are too spicy. How do I tone down the heat?
Remove all of the seeds and ribs for a milder jalapeno. If they are still too hot for your taste, add more eggs and breadcrumbs which will temper the heat slightly. Adding more flour will help too.
What dipping sauces go well with crispy jalapenos?
Popular sauces for serving alongside fried jalapenos include ranch, blue cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and chipotle or buffalo sauce.
Can I re-fry leftover fried jalapenos?
It’s best not to re-fry jalapenos, since they can absorb additional oil and become greasy. Reheat them in the oven instead.
Recipe Idea
Want to put your crispy jalapeno knowledge into practice? Here is an excellent recipe to try:
Buffalo Chicken Jalapeno Poppers
These spicy, tangy poppers pack all the flavors of buffalo wings into each crispy, addictive bite.
Ingredients
- 24 fresh jalapeno peppers, sliced into rings with seeds removed
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
- 1/4 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
Instructions
- Combine the shredded chicken and buffalo sauce. Mix well and set aside.
- Pour buttermilk into a shallow bowl. Place sliced jalapenos in buttermilk and soak 5 minutes.
- Set up breading station with flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs mixed with Cajun seasoning in separate bowls.
- Coat jalapenos in flour, then egg, then seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Fill each pepper ring with 1-2 teaspoons of buffalo chicken mixture. Secure with toothpicks.
- Fry jalapeno poppers at 350°F for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
These poppers strike the perfect balance of heat, flavor, and crunch. Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to suit your desired level of spice. And you can easily swap in different fillings like cheese, salsa, or guacamole.
Crispy fried jalapenos truly take snacks, appetizers, and everyday meals to the next level. We hope this guide gives you the confidence to fry up batches at home. Feel free to get creative with fillings, toppings, and serving suggestions. Just be sure to have plenty of cold drinks on hand to tame the heat!