Candied jalapeños (also known as “cowboy candy”) are a sweet, spicy, and tangy treat that can seriously level up a bunch of dishes. Here are some great recipes and ways to use them:

🔥 Candied Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip

Super easy appetizer!

  • Ingredients:
    • 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
    • 1/3 cup candied jalapeños (chopped or whole on top)
    • Crackers or baguette slices
  • Instructions:
    1. Spread cream cheese on a plate or dish.
    2. Top with chopped candied jalapeños or arrange whole slices on top.
    3. Serve with crackers or crostini.

Red Hot Candied Chilli Peppers (with Pictures) - Instructables

 

🍔 Candied Jalapeño Bacon Burgers

Spicy-sweet twist on a classic burger

  • Ingredients:
    • Ground beef patties
    • Candied jalapeños
    • Cheddar cheese
    • Bacon
    • Burger buns, lettuce, tomato
  • Instructions:
    1. Grill or pan-fry your patties.
    2. Top with cheese, then candied jalapeños and bacon.
    3. Assemble and enjoy the sweet heat.

🌽 Candied Jalapeño Cornbread

A spicy kick in your sweet cornbread

  • Add to your favorite cornbread batter:
    • 1/3 cup chopped candied jalapeños (adjust to taste)
  • Optional: Drizzle a little of the jalapeño syrup over the top before baking.

🐟 Candied Jalapeño Glazed Salmon

Sweet heat glaze for seafood

  • Ingredients:
    • Salmon fillets
    • 2 tbsp candied jalapeño syrup
    • 1 tbsp soy sauce
    • 1 tsp lime juice
    • Candied jalapeño slices for topping
  • Instructions:
    1. Mix syrup, soy sauce, and lime.
    2. Brush over salmon and bake or grill.
    3. Top with jalapeños before serving.

🥪 Grilled Cheese with Candied Jalapeños

Cheesy, sweet, and spicy

  • Use sharp cheddar or pepper jack
  • Add a layer of chopped candied jalapeños between the cheese slices
  • Grill until golden and melty

🍕 Candied Jalapeño Pizza

Spicy-sweet pizza topping

  • Great on:
    • BBQ chicken pizza
    • Pepperoni and pineapple
    • Goat cheese + caramelized onion pizzas

Candied Jalapeño Deviled Eggs

  • Add finely chopped candied jalapeños to your yolk filling mix (mayo, mustard, etc.)

  • Garnish each egg with a slice on top—boom, spicy, creamy, addictive.

🥗 Candied Jalapeño Vinaigrette

  • Quick dressing:

    • 2 tbsp candied jalapeño syrup

    • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

    • 1/4 cup olive oil

    • Salt, pepper, and a chopped jalapeño slice or two

  • Shake it up and drizzle over arugula, goat cheese, and pecan salads.

🍗 Candied Jalapeño Glazed Chicken Wings

  • Toss crispy wings in a mix of:

    • 2 tbsp melted butter

    • 2 tbsp candied jalapeño syrup

    • 1 tsp soy sauce or hot sauce (optional)

  • Finish with a few slices of jalapeños on top for crunch and kick.

🥯 Candied Jalapeño Bagel Spread

  • Mix chopped jalapeños into:

    • Cream cheese (plus a little of the syrup)

  • Perfect on bagels, crackers, or sandwiches—like a spicy-sweet schmear.

🧀 Charcuterie Board MVP

  • Serve candied jalapeños as a sweet-spicy chutney next to:

    • Brie, aged cheddar, goat cheese

    • Prosciutto, salami

    • Crackers or crostini

🌮 Candied Jalapeño Street Tacos

  • Add chopped jalapeños to:

    • Pork carnitas

    • Chicken tinga

    • Fried fish tacos

  • That tangy heat cuts through the savory meats perfectly.

🍹 Candied Jalapeño Cocktail Garnish

  • Ideas:

    • Bloody Mary stir stick

    • Margarita garnish

    • Muddle with mint and lime for a spicy mojito twist

🍦 Candied Jalapeño Ice Cream Topping (yes, seriously)

  • Pairs amazingly with:

    • Vanilla bean

    • Sweet corn ice cream

    • Cream cheese or cheesecake ice cream

  • Try it once—you’ll be shocked how good it is.

🧁 Candied Jalapeño Cornbread Cupcakes (Savory-Sweet Treat)

  • Use a cornbread muffin base

  • Top with cream cheese or honey butter frosting

  • Garnish with a single candied jalapeño slice

🥃 Candied Jalapeño Old Fashioned

  • Add a touch of syrup to the bourbon

  • Muddle a jalapeño slice with the bitters and orange peel

 

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Red Hot Candied Jalapenos