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Easy Jalapeño Popper Bagel Bites

All the traditional jalapeño popper flavors of melted sharp cheese, garlic and chives, and spicy jalapeños packaged up in a chewy bagel bite sprinkled with Everything Bagel seasoning.  Frozen dinner roll dough makes them a snap to put together!

  • Author: Erin Thomas
  • Prep Time: About 30-45 Minutes for Thawing & Freezing
  • Cook Time: 20 Minutes
  • Total Time: About 1 Hour
  • Yield: 16 Bagel Bites 1x

Ingredients

Scale

16 frozen yeast dinner rolls, such as Rhodes brand

18 oz. package cream cheese, at room temperature

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack/Colby cheese blend

1/3 cup chopped chives

2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and diced

2 quarts water

2 tbsp. brown sugar + 1 tbsp. granulated sugar

Everything bagel seasoning*

Instructions

Place the frozen dinner rolls on a parchment or Silpat lined or greased baking sheet.  Allow to thaw until they reach room temperature and can be easily formed into flat disks (approximately 30-45 minutes).  

While the dough is thawing, combine cream cheese, garlic powder, shredded cheese, chives, and diced jalapeño peppers in a bowl.  Mix until evenly blended.  Using a spoon or a #50 ice cream scoop, portion the filling into tablespoon sized amounts onto a parchment or wax paper lined baking sheet.  Freeze until firm (about 30 minutes).  

About 5 to 10 minutes before the filling is done freezing, bring the water, brown sugar and granulated sugar to a boil over medium high heat.  Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. 

To assemble the bagel bites, form each dough piece into a flattened disk about 3 to 3-1/2 inches across.  Place one frozen filling ball into the center of the dough.  Wrap the dough edges up and around the filling.  Press the edges firmly to seal.  Place dough ball back on the baking sheet until ready to boil. 

In groups of 3 to 4, place the dough balls into the boiling sugar water.  Cook for 30 seconds on each side, turning and removing with a slotted spoon.  Place onto the parchment lined baking sheet about 2-3 inches apart and sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning.  Bake on the middle rack for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.  Cool bagel bites for about 5 minutes on a wire rack before serving.  

Notes

*Substitute with sesame seeds, poppy seeds or another topping of your choice.  To make your own everything bagel seasoning, a recipe is here