Spicy & Cheesy Poblano Pepper Popovers with Pepperjack: Your Ultimate Guide to Flavorful Perfection

Experience a delightful twist on a classic with these irresistible Poblano Pepper Popovers, generously infused with savory pepperjack cheese and the rich, smoky flavor of roasted poblano peppers. Far from your everyday bread, these popovers offer a unique blend of crispy exteriors, tender airy interiors, and a kick of warmth that will tantalize your taste buds. This recipe elevates traditional popovers by introducing a vibrant, herbaceous profile, making them an unforgettable addition to any meal. Be warned: once you try these, you’ll want to have plenty of butter on hand to slather into their glorious hollows, enhancing every bite of their cheesy, spicy goodness.

This flavorful popover variation is an adaptation of my tried-and-true recipe for Perfect Popovers, ensuring a reliably delicious outcome.
Poblano Pepper Popovers were originally published on this site in June 2014 and were thoroughly updated with fresh content and new photos in May 2022 to provide the best possible experience for our readers.

About These Flavorful Popovers: A Culinary Inspiration

Poblano Pepper Popovers with Pepperjack… it’s a mouthful to say, and an even more glorious mouthful to eat! The inspiration for these unique popovers hails from a memorable trip to the Trump Doral in Miami. While the cost of a convention stay at such a luxurious venue was, shall we say, “extravagant” (a pair of panties for $45 still haunts my memories!), it was a humble complimentary bread basket that truly left a lasting impression and sparked a culinary quest.

During one evening at the main restaurant, the BLT, my friends and I opted for side dishes to manage our expenses – my $11 stuffed mushroom was meant to be dinner. But then, magic happened. The waiter presented us with the most enormous, exquisitely golden-brown popovers, fresh from the oven, and to our delight, they were absolutely free! These weren’t just any popovers; they were generously laden with Gruyere cheese, boasting a perfectly crispy exterior and an impossibly airy interior. They were so phenomenal that we requested more, even enjoying them for breakfast the following day.

That encounter ignited a powerful desire to recreate those magnificent bread puffs, but with a distinctive twist. I wanted to infuse them with a flavor profile that was equally bold and comforting, something that would stand out and complement a variety of meals. The idea of incorporating the mild heat and earthy notes of poblano peppers, combined with the creamy, spicy goodness of pepperjack cheese, felt like the perfect innovation. And just like that, the journey to these incredible Poblano Pepper Popovers began.

Understanding the Ingredients: Key to Perfect Popovers

At its core, this recipe builds upon the foundational ingredients and precise ratios of my beloved Perfect Popovers. You’ll need essential staples like large eggs, whole milk, all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and unsalted butter. However, the secret to achieving that characteristic “puff” lies not just in the ingredients themselves, but in their temperature. It is absolutely critical that your eggs and milk are at room temperature. This temperature consistency allows the batter to heat more evenly and rapidly in the hot oven, generating maximum steam, which is the driving force behind a popover’s impressive rise and hollow interior. You’ll also need a reliable cooking spray to ensure your popovers release cleanly from the pan.

Beyond these basics, what truly makes this recipe special are the additions: a vibrant poblano pepper, richly flavorful shredded pepperjack cheese (which is essentially Monterey Jack cheese infused with spicy jalapeños), and fresh cilantro. These elements introduce a depth of flavor and a subtle warmth that transforms a simple popover into a culinary delight.

Ingredient Spotlight & Substitution Tips:

• Cilantro: While fresh cilantro adds a bright, herbaceous note that complements the poblano beautifully, we understand it’s not everyone’s favorite. If cilantro isn’t your thing, feel free to omit it entirely or substitute it with an equal amount of finely chopped flat-leaf parsley for a milder, earthy flavor. If you’re using dried cilantro, remember to reduce the quantity; a tablespoon of fresh cilantro can typically be replaced with a teaspoon of dried.
• Pepperjack Cheese: For the best texture and melt, we highly recommend grating your own pepperjack cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can slightly alter their melting properties and, in some cases, the flavor. Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly and integrates better into the batter, ensuring pockets of gooey, spicy cheese throughout your popovers. While some brands of pre-shredded pepperjack exist (like the one I’ve tried from Walmart, which unfortunately didn’t meet expectations), taking the extra minute to grate it yourself makes a noticeable difference in the final product.
• Hot Sauce: A small dash of hot sauce (like Louisiana Brand, as suggested in the recipe card) isn’t just for heat; it adds another layer of complex flavor that enhances the pepperjack and poblano without making the popovers overwhelmingly spicy. It’s an optional but highly recommended addition for a truly well-rounded taste.

Mastering the Art of Roasting Poblano Peppers

Roasting the poblano pepper is a crucial first step that unlocks its deep, smoky flavor and softens its texture, making it perfect for incorporating into our popover batter. This process takes approximately 15 minutes under a hot oven broiler and is surprisingly simple.

Step-by-Step Roasting Guide:

1. Preparation: Position your oven rack so the poblano pepper will be about 1 inch from the broiler element. Turn on your oven broiler to its high setting.
2. Broiling: Place the whole poblano pepper directly on the hot oven rack. Keep a close eye on it, turning it every 4-5 minutes using tongs, until its skin is completely blackened and blistered on all sides. The goal isn’t to cook the pepper through, but to char the skin, which will make it easy to remove.
3. Steaming: Once the pepper is fully charred, carefully transfer it to a resealable plastic bag or a bowl covered tightly with plastic wrap. Seal the bag or cover the bowl and let the pepper steam for 5-10 minutes. This steaming process helps loosen the skin, making it much easier to peel.
4. Peeling and Chopping: Once the pepper is cool enough to handle, remove it from the bag. The charred skin should peel off effortlessly. Discard the skin and carefully cut the pepper open to remove and discard the seeds and stem. Finally, finely dice the roasted poblano pepper. We want small pieces so they distribute evenly throughout the popover batter.

This step can be done a day or two in advance to save time. Simply store the finely chopped roasted poblano pepper in a small airtight container or resealable baggie in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake your popovers. This advance prep makes assembling the batter quick and easy.

Crafting and Baking Your Poblano Pepper Popovers: Tips for Success

While popovers are known for their dramatic rise, adding a substantial amount of ingredients like a whole poblano pepper and half a cup of shredded cheese introduces a bit of “bulk” to the batter. This means our poblano popovers won’t necessarily reach the towering heights of a plain, traditional popover. However, they will still puff up beautifully, creating a wonderfully textured, savory roll with an appealingly crispy crust and a soft, airy interior. These delightful hollows are perfect for catching melted butter, enhancing every bite.

The full, detailed instructions are provided in the recipe card below, but let’s highlight the crucial steps and tricks that ensure a successful batch of these cheesy, spicy delights:

1. Roast the Poblano Pepper: As detailed above, use your oven broiler to char the pepper, steam it, then peel, deseed, and finely chop it. This step is key for flavor.
2. Prepare the Batter with Room Temperature Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine your room-temperature eggs and milk with the flour, kosher salt, melted unsalted butter, and a dash of hot sauce. Whisk until the batter is smooth. The room temperature ensures a faster, more vigorous rise in the oven. Finally, fold in the roasted poblano pepper and shredded pepperjack cheese.
3. Allow the Batter to Rest: After mixing, let your batter rest for at least 15 minutes while your oven preheats to 450°F (232°C). This resting period allows the flour to fully hydrate, resulting in a more tender popover.
4. Preheat and Prepare the Popover Pan: Place your empty popover pan in the preheated 450°F oven for 2 minutes. This crucial step ensures the pan is incredibly hot when the batter goes in, promoting an immediate steam reaction. Carefully remove the hot pan and generously spray each tin with cooking spray, ensuring every crevice is coated for easy release.
5. Fill the Tins: Pour the prepared batter into each popover tin, filling them approximately three-quarters full.
6. Initial High-Heat Bake: Immediately place the filled pan back into the 450°F (232°C) oven and bake for 15 minutes. This initial burst of high heat creates the powerful steam needed for the popovers to puff rapidly.
7. Lower Heat, Continue Baking (Do NOT Open the Door!): Without opening the oven door, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for another 15 minutes, or until the popovers are beautifully puffed and golden brown. It is absolutely vital not to open the oven door during this entire baking process, as a sudden drop in temperature will cause your popovers to collapse and lose their airy structure.
8. Release Steam & Serve: Once baked, remove the popover pan from the oven. Promptly pierce the tops of each popover with a small knife to allow any trapped steam to escape. This helps prevent them from becoming soggy and keeps them crispy. Carefully remove the popovers from the pan and serve immediately. They are best enjoyed fresh from the oven, ideally with a generous dollop of butter!

What to Serve with Poblano Pepper Popovers

These flavorful Poblano Pepper Popovers are incredibly versatile and pair wonderfully with a variety of dishes. Their savory, cheesy, and mildly spicy profile makes them an excellent companion to hearty meals. To keep your cooking stress-free, I particularly recommend serving them with casseroles that can be prepared in advance or dinner recipes cooked entirely on the stovetop. This strategic planning leaves your oven free and perfectly timed for baking the popovers just before serving. A simple side salad completes any of these delicious meals.

• Taco Macaroni and Beef Bake: This comforting casserole is a fantastic choice because it can be assembled ahead of time. Simply pull it from the oven, and pop your popovers in to bake. You’ll have a complete, delicious dinner on the table in about an hour, with the popovers adding a fresh, warm element.
• Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms: For a delightful vegetarian option, these stuffed mushrooms are easy to prepare and incredibly flavorful. They can even be made ahead and reheated. Once your popovers are out of the oven, simply slide these mushrooms back in for a quick warm-up, creating a balanced and satisfying meal.
• Frijoles Charros (Mexican Cowboy Beans): The rich, savory broth of authentic Frijoles Charros is an absolute dream with these popovers. The popovers act as a perfect vehicle to sop up every last drop of the glorious, flavorful gravy from the beans. This combination is truly insanely good and deeply satisfying.
• Tortellini Salad with Avocado Dressing: For a lighter, yet equally satisfying “salad night,” pair your crispy poblano popovers with a creamy Tortellini Salad featuring a lush avocado and herb dressing. The contrasting textures of the soft tortellini and the airy, crunchy popovers, combined with fresh flavors, create a delightful and memorable meal.
• Hearty Chili or Stew: There’s nothing quite like a warm, cheesy popover to accompany a steaming bowl of homemade chili or a robust beef stew. The popovers can soak up the rich liquids, adding texture and a hint of spice to every bite, making it an ultimate comfort food pairing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

This innovative recipe draws inspiration and technique from my original traditional recipe for popovers, adapting it to embrace new, exciting flavors.