Fresno Poppers Hori-5
Photo: 12 Tomatoes Creative Team

If you’re looking for a snack that’s a little sweet, a little spicy, and totally irresistible, these Fresno Poppers are about to be your new favorite appetizer. Inspired by Fresno, California, an area famous for its apricots, these bites deliver a whole lot of SoCal flavor in one cute little package. Whether you’re serving these at a game day get-together, holiday party, or casual weeknight hang, they’re guaranteed to disappear in the blink of an eye. You might even want to double the batch—trust us on this one!

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Photo: 12 Tomatoes Creative Team
Fresno Poppers Vert-13
Photo: 12 Tomatoes Creative Team

The creamy base of the filling is made up of rich cream cheese and tangy sour cream. Then comes the sweet California fruitiness from some apricot preserves (if you’re in a pinch, other fruit jams would work here as well). Mix that in with some chopped pickled jalapenos for a little heat and your filling is ready to go. Pro tip: I like to use a cookie scoop to make loading up the scoops super easy. Once all your scoops are fully loaded, pop them in a preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until they’re nice and crispy on the edges.

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Photo: 12 Tomatoes Creative Team
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Photo: 12 Tomatoes Creative Team

I like to serve these babies right outta the oven because that filling sure is heavenly when it’s all toasty and warm. The sweetness of the apricot paired with the subtle kick of the peppers will have everyone wanting to know more about these tasty poppers. If you need proof that simple ingredients can come together to create something incredible, look no further. Give these Fresno Poppers a try for your next party and see for yourself!

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Photo: 12 Tomatoes Creative Team