Description
Spicy jalapeno cheese squares deliver a zesty punch of flavor that delights taste buds with bold southwestern flair. Southern comfort meets heat in these irresistible bites you’ll crave at every gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Cheese Ingredients:
- 1 cup (120g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (120g) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional, for extra heat)
Wet Ingredients and Additions:
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) milk
- 1/4 cup (60 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 small jalapeno, finely chopped (seeds removed for less heat)
- 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped (optional, for added flavor)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and coating a 9×9-inch baking dish with a light greasing layer to prevent sticking.
- Create a dry ingredient foundation by thoroughly combining flour, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of all powdery components.
- Separately whisk eggs, milk, and melted butter into a smooth, uniform liquid mixture that will bind the cheese squares together.
- Gently integrate the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring with minimal agitation to maintain a light, tender texture.
- Introduce shredded cheeses, freshly chopped jalapeños, optional chili powder, and green onions into the batter, folding carefully to distribute ingredients evenly throughout the mixture.
- Transfer the prepared batter into the greased baking dish, spreading the mixture uniformly to create an consistent thickness that promotes even baking.
- Position the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring for a golden-brown exterior and checking for doneness with a toothpick test.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cheese squares to rest and slightly cool for 5 minutes, which helps them set and makes slicing easier.
- Cut into neat squares and serve while still warm to maximize flavor and enjoy the delightful blend of cheesy, spicy goodness.
Notes
- Adjust jalapeño heat by removing seeds for milder squares or keeping them for extra spiciness.
- Swap regular flour with gluten-free blend to create a celiac-friendly version of the recipe.
- Use low-fat cheese and milk alternatives for a lighter, healthier variation of these cheesy squares.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like pepper jack, cheddar, or monterey jack to customize flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 40mg