This article was updated on 6th August 2023 for clarity and freshness.
If you’re wondering what to serve with your jalapeno poppers, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I list 39 of the most popular side dishes for jalapeno poppers.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best side dishes to serve with jalapeno poppers are pulled pork sliders, buffalo wings, and carne asada nachos. You can also serve a side of mac and cheese, spinach artichoke dip, or cocktail meatballs. For more options, there’s pizza, squash puppies, and bacon-wrapped shrimp.
American favorites
Jalapeno poppers are a mainstay in game-day spreads, so it’s a no-brainer to enjoy them alongside other American favorites like buffalo wings and a creamy ranch dip!
Buffalo wings
Jalapeno poppers are a game-day classic, and so are these finger-licking good buffalo wings.
Traditional recipes usually involve deep-frying the wings, but Jessica Gavin takes the healthier route by baking them. She also uses baking powder instead of flour or cornstarch in the chicken coating, which ensures you still get a crispy bite with less oil.
The buffalo sauce had the right amount of heat, but I like serving the wings and jalapeno poppers with creamy ranch or a blue cheese dipping sauce for a cool, creamy contrast.
Why we love this recipe: it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
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Baked buffalo wings
Make it plain
Fried chicken
Make it fun
Buffalo chicken cheese balls
Pulled pork sliders
Got leftover pulled pork from last night’s dinner? Turn it into delicious sliders.
Imagine getting tender, juicy meat covered in rich barbecue sauce and aioli, sandwiched by two fluffy buns – what a feast!
These bad boys come together in less than 15 minutes too (as long as you’ve got pre-cooked pulled pork), making it great if you need a last-minute hearty addition to your party spread.
Why we love this recipe: the small portions make sure your guests will have plenty of room for your jalapeno poppers.
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Pulled pork sliders
Make it different
French dip sliders
Make it vegan
Vegan sliders
Mozzarella cheese sticks
Mozzarella cheese sticks are an addictingly yummy side for get-togethers. After all, who wouldn’t want a plate of crunchy, gooey cheese?
These babies are coated in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture, giving them their signature tasty, golden brown crust.
Recipe creator Lalaine also suggests letting the breaded mozzarella sticks rest for 30 minutes in the freezer. I know it’s an extra step, but this ensures the cheese sticks won’t burst and melt out as you’re frying them.
Why we love this recipe: it’s a cheesy dish that can do no wrong.
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Mozzarella cheese sticks
Swap the cheese
Halloumi fries
Skip the cheese
Baked parmesan zucchini spears
Mac and cheese
Homemade mac and cheese is the epitome of comfort food. It’s warm, cheesy, and chock-full of carbs.
What more could you want to cheer you up on a cold day?
Everyone has their own recipes, but I always come back to Carlsbad Cravings’ version. It tastes exactly like how grandma makes it, thanks to its bechamel base and the use of three different kinds of cheese.
Enjoy your jalapeno poppers alongside your mac and cheese or even as an appetizer for the ultimate cheese lovers’ meal.
Psst… fancy combining them? Try this jalapeno popper mac and cheese.
Why we love this recipe: the cheese sauce comes together in only one pot.
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Mac and cheese
Make it simple
Fettuccine alfredo
Make a salad
Macaroni salad
Cocktail meatballs
These mini meatballs are another tasty game-day snack you can whip up to serve with your jalapeno poppers.
And unlike other recipes that use frozen meatballs, this version also shows you how to make them from scratch. That’s why these are a must-try, especially if you like knowing what goes into your food.
But the true game-changer for these meatballs is the homemade cocktail sauce. Carlsbad Cravings uses pepper jelly as one of the bases, but you can try using other jellies if you aren’t a fan of spicy food.
Why we love this recipe: it’s freezer-friendly.
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Cocktail meatballs
Go veggie
Vegan grape jelly meatballs
Make it different
Mini sausage rolls
Spinach and artichoke dip
If you’re a cheese-lover, you have to try pairing your jalapeno poppers with spinach artichoke dip. This dip is deliciously indulgent, with subtle grassy notes that help keep it from becoming overwhelming.
Plus, it’s such a breeze to make. There’s zero active cooking involved because once you have everything mixed together, the oven does the rest of the work.
I love serving this dip fresh from the oven, but you can also chill it if you prefer a cold dip.
Why we love this recipe: it’s great for sharing.
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Spinach artichoke dip
Go Mexican
Queso dip
Make it addicting
Warm ranch crack dip
Mexican-inspired delights
Jalapeno poppers are often described as an off-shoot of chile relleno, a classic Mexican dish that features poblano peppers stuffed with cheese.
So pairing jalapeno poppers with Mexican-inspired side dishes is a fantastic idea!
Guacamole
Guacamole is normally served with chips for dipping, but there’s nothing stopping you from dipping jalapeno poppers instead.
The simple combination of fresh avocados, tomatoes, onions, and lemon juice creates a refreshing kick to contrast the richness and heat of your jalapeno poppers.
And the best part? Guacamole is super easy to customize. I always add cilantro into my guacamole, but I know this is controversial.
Why we love this recipe: it celebrates fresh, clean ingredients.
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Guacamole
Make it chunky
Avocado salsa
Make it fancy
Romesco sauce
Corn salsa
If you’re looking for something bright and juicy, check out this corn salsa. It features a simple mix of corn, red pepper, tomatoes, fresh herbs, and lime juice. But don’t count it out.
It’s another excellent way to provide a fresh bite to something as rich as jalapeno poppers.
Pro tip: aim to make corn salsa at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to really blend. You can even make this the night before and leave it overnight to rest.
Why we love this recipe: it’s a tasty summer side.
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Corn salsa
Make it fruity
Mango pineapple salsa
Make it creamy
Crack corn dip
Carne asada nachos
Looking for the best nachos to serve with your jalapeno poppers? Well, the search is over because these carne asada nachos will steal the show every time.
They’re loaded with juicy meat, creamy avocado, sharp cheddar, bright pico de gallo, and luscious queso blanco (or one of these queso blanco substitutes).
What more could you want?
Damn Delicious’ recipe uses homemade carne asada, but no worries. Making this is easier than you think and won’t take much time.
Why we love this recipe: they’re based on everyone’s favorite Mexican street tacos.
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Carne asada nachos
Make it vegan
Loaded vegan nachos
Make it different
Beef tacos
Fun fusion dishes
These fun fusion dishes are the way to go if you don’t want your party spread to become boring. They’re not traditional, but no one will care once they tuck in.
Chicken pesto pizza
Jalapeno poppers make a great entree or side for a tasty pizza.
You can go for any flavor you like, but my favorite flavor is chicken pesto.
I love the mix of melty mozzarella and salty ricotta alongside a vibrant pesto sauce. Plus, you don’t need to roast your own chicken to make this. Damn Delicious uses store-bought rotisserie chicken and it works like a charm.
Psst… my second favorite? Pepperoni pizza!
Why we love this recipe: it’s a fun way to use up leftover chicken.
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Chicken pesto pizza
Go Mexican
Quesadillas
Make it easy
Pita pizza
Bacon-wrapped shrimp
Another delicious finger food you can pair with jalapeno poppers is these bacon-wrapped shrimp.
The sweetness of the shrimp and the brown sugar rub, combined with the smoky, savory notes of the bacon offers a tasty break from the creaminess of your jalapeno poppers.
I prefer baking these beauties because the bacon adds a light crunch, but Sweet and Savory Meals also has instructions for grilling if you want an extra dose of smokiness.
Why we love this recipe: bacon makes everything better!
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Bacon-wrapped shrimp
Make it crispy
Coconut shrimp
Make it different
Bacon-wrapped corn on the cob
Squash puppies
Squash puppies are hush puppies, made of… you guessed it… squash!
Adding yellow squash gives them a sweeter taste, but this is balanced out by the addition of spicy cayenne pepper.
The key with these is to make sure you steam the squash until it’s super tender so you can mash it into a silky smooth consistency. This way, the mashed squash melds into the hushpuppy batter perfectly.
Serve a bowl of these on the table next to your jalapeno poppers and watch them disappear within minutes.
Why we love this recipe: it’s a creative spin on your classic hush puppies.
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Squash puppies
Make it a classic
Hush puppies
Make it different
Tater tots
Teriyaki chicken skewers
These teriyaki chicken skewers are an excellent addition to your party spread.
The sweetness of the teriyaki sauce combined with the smoky grilled chicken and juicy pineapples is exactly what you need alongside spicy, cheesy jalapenos.
Modern Honey uses store-bought teriyaki sauce for these skewers, although I prefer making it from scratch. It gives you more freedom to control the sweetness level. Here’s my go-to recipe from Daring Gourmet.
Why we love this recipe: everyone will love these skewers, no matter their age.
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Teriyaki chicken skewers
Skip the fruit
Chicken souvlaki
Make it meatless
Teriyaki tofu skewers
What To Serve With Jalapeno Poppers [39 Ideas]
Ingredients
- 1 portion buffalo wings
- 1 portion carne asada nachos
- 1 portion bacon-wrapped shrimp
- 1 portion squash puppies
- 1 portion cocktail meatballs
- 1 portion spinach and artichoke dip
- 1 portion … and more
Instructions
- Prepare your jalapeno poppers according to your favorite recipe.
- In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
- Side dishes include: buffalo wings, pulled pork sliders, chicken pesto pizza, guacamole, bacon-wrapped shrimp, carne asada nachos, mozzarella cheese sticks, corn salsa, mac and cheese, squash puppies, cocktail meatballs, spinach and artichoke dip, and teriyaki chicken skewers.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
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