Highlight
I whipped up these Bacon Cheese Jalapeño Spirals for a sports party and they've turned into the snack everyone begs me to bring. When flaky dough meets the savory bacon-jalapeño mix and gooey cheese, all topped with buttery garlic goodness, it creates something absolutely addictive. They're super easy to throw together but honestly look and taste like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Irresistible Snack Wonder
Whenever these spirals are baking, my whole house smells amazing - that mix of garlic butter and crispy bacon just can't be beat. My kids and husband always hang around the kitchen waiting to grab one fresh out of the oven. That look of pure joy on someone's face when they take their first bite makes all the work totally worth it. There's a good reason these have become my go-to party treat.
What You'll Need
Grab these items:
- 2 tubes pizza dough or homemade if you've got it
- 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- 6 slices bacon fried and broken into bits
- 1 small red onion chopped up
- 1 large jalapeño cut into tiny pieces
- 1 cup white cheddar shredded
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper however you like it
Good bacon and real cheese will really make these stand out.
Putting It Together
First get your dough sorted out. I usually just flatten it gently - you can put two layers together for chunkier spirals or keep them single for lighter ones. Mix up that killer filling by throwing together your soft cream cheese bacon bits chopped onion and diced jalapeño. Add a bit of salt and pepper to taste. Slather this mixture on half of each dough sheet then fold them over and slice into strips. Now comes the fun bit - twisting each strip to create those perfect spirals.
Highlight
Prepping For The Heat
Put your twisted dough pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Throw plenty of white cheddar on top of them. Stir your melted butter together with garlic powder and brush half of this mix over the spirals. This first coating will help them turn that beautiful golden color.
Baking Time
Heat your oven to 375°F. These little treats need about 12 to 15 minutes until they're perfectly golden brown. Watch them carefully since they can burn pretty fast once they start to brown.
Final Touch
As soon as they come out of the oven, brush on the rest of that garlic butter. This last coat gives them an amazing flavor boost and makes them look glossy and delicious. Let them cool for just a minute but try to serve them while they're still warm.
Great Dipping Options
These spirals taste awesome by themselves but they're even better with some marinara sauce a bit of ranch or a quick garlic dip on the side. They work for everything from football games to Christmas parties. My little ones even grab them for snacks after school.
Make Ahead Tips
You can get these ready a few hours early and just keep them in the fridge until you want to bake them. Just cook them a bit longer if they're cold from the fridge. If you've got any left over they'll crisp up nicely in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes.
Switch It Up
You can totally adjust how spicy these are. Try serranos if you want more kick or regular bell peppers to keep things mild. Play around with different cheeses too - my girl loves them with pepper jack. Sometimes I toss in some mushrooms or colorful peppers to change things up.
Questions I Get Asked
Lots of people ask if they can use their own pizza dough and you definitely can - it works great. If spicy food isn't your thing just leave out the jalapeños or swap in sweet peppers instead. Any extras stay good in a sealed container in your fridge for a couple days though at my house they're usually gone in hours. They taste best fresh but you can freeze them and warm them up in the oven later if you want that crispy texture back.
Crowd-Pleasing Bites
These spirals have made so many gatherings at our place extra special. That mix of crunchy outside and creamy inside with just enough heat makes everyone grab seconds. Each time I bake a batch I think about all the smiles and empty platters they've left behind. I bet they'll become a hit at your next get-together too.
Highlight
Recipe FAQs
- → What's the point of layering dough?
Folding the dough gives it those fluffy layers and ensures the twists bake evenly without breaking apart.
- → How do I tone down the spice?
Skip the jalapeños entirely or use fewer seeds and membranes to keep the flavor mild without extra heat.
- → Can I prepare in advance?
Making the filling early is fine, but bake them right before serving for the best texture and flavor.
- → Why wait to add butter?
If butter is added while too hot, the twists might get soggy. Let them cool just a little for a better result.
- → No pizza dough available?
Crescent roll dough is a great alternative. Just pinch any seams to keep everything intact before twisting.