If you are thinking that you have lost your mind looking at the photo above, no worries. I’ve already posted a recipe for jalapeno poppers that was quite popular. But here recipe with a new twist on poppers introduced to me by my friends Jamey and Phil. As major Food Network fans, they stay attuned with all the latest tv food celebrities and have taken a liking for Aarti Party (who started her culinary career with a food blog!). While this recipe still uses the same basic ingredients as my Poppers they add an interesting dynamic with the addition of granny smith apples and scallions. And, they have to be considered lighter if the recipe includes reduced fat cream cheese and a fruit and vegetable! Right?

Aarti Party Bacon Apple Jalapeno Pop ‘Ems

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.

In a large bowl, stir and break down the cream cheese until smooth. Add the apples and scallions, plus as much salt and freshly ground black pepper as you like. Slice each jalapeno in half lengthwise, and remove the seeds.

Fill each jalapeno half with the cream cheese mixture; fill until just over the rim of the jalapeno. Wrap each pepper with a bacon half and secure with a toothpick. Line up the pop ’ems on the prepared baking sheet and pop into the oven until bacon has browned on the bottom, about 30 minutes. Allow to cool for about 5 minutes