Description
Fiery Cajun Shrimp Stuffed Jalapeños are a bold and flavorful appetizer featuring spicy jalapeño halves filled with a creamy and cheesy shrimp mixture seasoned with Cajun spices. Perfectly baked until bubbly and golden, these stuffed jalapeños deliver the perfect blend of heat, creaminess, and savory shrimp for game days, parties, or any occasion that calls for a zesty treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Jalapeños
- 12 large jalapeños, halved lengthwise and seeds removed
Shrimp Filling
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ pound raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, and finely chopped
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Cook the Shrimp: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped shrimp and cook for 2–3 minutes until they turn pink and are fully cooked. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, then remove the skillet from the heat.
- Mix the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, grated Parmesan, chopped green onions, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Mix until smooth and fully blended.
- Fold in Shrimp: Gently fold the cooked shrimp into the cheese mixture to distribute evenly without breaking up the shrimp too much.
- Stuff the Jalapeños: Spoon the shrimp and cheese mixture into each halved jalapeño, mounding the filling slightly to ensure each half is generously stuffed.
- Bake: Arrange the stuffed jalapeños on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 15–18 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the tops are lightly golden.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove from the oven and let the jalapeños cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve warm for best flavor.
Notes
- For extra heat, leave some seeds in the jalapeños or add a dash of hot sauce to the filling.
- These can be prepped ahead and baked just before serving to save time.
- Perfect for parties, game days, or as a bold appetizer to impress guests.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 stuffed jalapeño halves
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
