Oh, you are going to *love* this Stuffed Bread with Philadelphia Cheese, Ham, and Jalapeños! Seriously, it’s a game-changer. I’ve been making variations of stuffed breads for years, trying to find that perfect balance of creamy, savory, and a little kick. This version? It’s the one. It’s the kind of appetizer that disappears in minutes at parties, and it’s so satisfying to watch people’s faces light up when they take that first bite. It really is the ultimate crowd-pleaser.

Why You’ll Love This Stuffed Bread with Philadelphia Cheese, Ham, and Jalapeños

You’ll absolutely adore this recipe because it’s:

Super Easy: Seriously, you can whip this up in no time, perfect for last-minute guests!
Packed with Flavor: That creamy Philadelphia cheese, salty ham, and zesty jalapeños are just a dream team.
So Versatile: Great as an appetizer, a snack, or even a light lunch.
Impressive: It looks gorgeous and tastes even better, making you look like a total pro.

Gathering Your Ingredients for Stuffed Bread with Philadelphia Cheese, Ham, and Jalapeños

Alright, let’s get you prepped for this amazing Stuffed Bread with Philadelphia Cheese, Ham, and Jalapeños! You’ll need a good quality loaf of bread – I love a crusty French baguette or a nice Italian loaf for this. Then, for that creamy, dreamy filling, grab 200g of real Philadelphia cream cheese. You can’t beat it for that smooth texture. For the savory punch, we’re using 150g of cooked ham, all diced up small. And for that little kick? We need 50g of pickled jalapeños, chopped nice and fine. To make it extra cheesy and gooey, get 50g of shredded cheddar cheese. A tablespoon of fresh parsley, finely chopped, adds a lovely freshness, and a single clove of garlic, minced, gives it that extra zing. Oh, and don’t forget a pinch of salt and pepper to taste!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Stuffed Bread with Philadelphia Cheese, Ham, and Jalapeños

A little tip from my kitchen: don’t be shy with the jalapeños if you like it hotter – just add more! If cheddar isn’t your jam, Monterey Jack or even a bit of mozzarella works wonderfully too, or a mix! Sometimes I’ll even throw in a tablespoon of Dijon mustard into the filling for an extra layer of flavor. If you can’t find pickled jalapeños, fresh ones are fine, but you might need to chop them finer and perhaps sauté them for a minute to soften them up a bit. The key is really good quality cream cheese; it makes all the difference!

Preparing Your Stuffed Bread with Philadelphia Cheese, Ham, and Jalapeños

Okay, let’s get this delicious Stuffed Bread with Philadelphia Cheese, Ham, and Jalapeños made! It’s really straightforward, I promise.

Getting Started: Oven and Bread Preparation

First things first, preheat your oven to 180°C (that’s about 350°F). Now, grab your loaf of bread. You want to slice it horizontally, almost all the way through, but not completely! Think of it like making a pocket or a hinge. This is how we’ll get all that yummy filling inside.

Crafting the Flavorful Filling

In a good-sized bowl, we’re going to mix up all that incredible filling. Start with your softened Philadelphia cream cheese, then add the diced ham, chopped jalapeños, and that shredded cheddar. Toss in the fresh parsley and minced garlic. Give it all a really good mix until everything is beautifully combined. Taste it and add a little salt and pepper if you think it needs it. It should smell amazing already!

Stuffing and Baking to Perfection

Now for the fun part – stuffing! Generously spoon that glorious mixture into the pocket you made in the bread. Get it in there good! Once it’s packed, you’ll want to wrap the whole thing up tightly in aluminum foil. This helps the cheese melt and steam inside, keeping everything moist and gooey. Pop it into your preheated oven and let it bake for about 20 to 25 minutes. You want to see that cheese all melted and bubbly. After that initial bake, carefully unwrap the foil. We’re going to put it back in the oven, uncovered, for another 5 minutes. This bit is crucial for getting that crust perfectly golden and a little bit crispy. It just transforms the whole experience!

Tips for the Best Stuffed Bread with Philadelphia Cheese, Ham, and Jalapeños

Okay, so you’ve got your amazing Stuffed Bread with Philadelphia Cheese, Ham, and Jalapeños ready to go, but here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up to make it absolutely perfect every time. Make sure your cream cheese is nicely softened before you mix it; it just blends so much smoother that way. Don’t over-stuff the bread, or the filling might ooze out everywhere during baking – a generous but not overflowing amount is key! When you unwrap it for the final crisping, keep an eye on it; bread can go from golden to burnt pretty quickly. And if you’re using a really dense bread, you might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time, especially after unwrapping, to ensure it’s heated through.

Serving and Enjoying Your Creation

This Stuffed Bread with Philadelphia Cheese, Ham, and Jalapeños is best served warm, right out of the oven! Once you slice into it, that melty, cheesy goodness is just irresistible. It’s fantastic on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a fresh green salad or a side of salsa. Trust me, people will be hovering around it, so have your serving platter ready!

Frequently Asked Questions about Stuffed Bread with Philadelphia Cheese, Ham, and Jalapeños

Got questions about this amazing Stuffed Bread with Philadelphia Cheese, Ham, and Jalapeños? I’ve got answers!

Can I make this Stuffed Bread with Philadelphia Cheese, Ham, and Jalapeños ahead of time?

You sure can! You can prepare the filling and stuff the bread a few hours ahead. Just keep it wrapped tightly and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, add a few extra minutes to the initial foil-wrapped baking time.

What are good alternatives to jalapeños in this Stuffed Bread with Philadelphia Cheese, Ham, and Jalapeños?

If jalapeños aren’t your favorite, try finely diced pickled banana peppers for a milder tang, or even some chopped roasted red peppers for a sweet and smoky twist. You could even use a pinch of red pepper flakes in the filling if you don’t have fresh peppers! For more information on pepper varieties, you can check out this guide to pepper varieties.

How can I adjust the spice level of this Stuffed Bread with Philadelphia Cheese, Ham, and Jalapeños?

It’s super easy! For more heat, just add more jalapeños, or include some of the pickled brine in the filling. If you prefer it milder, use fewer jalapeños, or remove the seeds and membranes from them before chopping. A little goes a long way! Understanding the Scoville scale can help you gauge heat levels: learn more about the Scoville scale.

Nutritional Information for Stuffed Bread with Philadelphia Cheese, Ham, and Jalapeños

Just so you know, this delicious Stuffed Bread with Philadelphia Cheese, Ham, and Jalapeños is estimated to have about 350 calories per slice. It’s got around 20g of fat, with 12g of that being saturated fat, and about 15g of protein. Remember, these are just estimates, and they can change a bit depending on exactly what you use! For general nutritional guidance, the MyPlate program offers helpful resources.

Amazing Stuffed Bread with Philly Cheese, Ham, Jalapeños

Author: ferecipe.com
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A delicious stuffed bread featuring creamy Philadelphia cheese, savory ham, and spicy jalapeños, baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

1 loaf of bread (such as French baguette or Italian bread)
200g cream cheese (Philadelphia)
150g cooked ham, diced
50g pickled jalapeños, chopped
50g shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
Slice the loaf of bread horizontally, but not all the way through, creating a pocket.
In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, diced ham, chopped jalapeños, shredded cheddar cheese, parsley, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Generously stuff the bread with the cheese and ham mixture.
Wrap the stuffed bread tightly in aluminum foil.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from foil and bake for another 5 minutes to crisp up the bread.
Slice and serve warm.

Notes

You can adjust the amount of jalapeños to your spice preference.
Other cheeses like mozzarella or Monterey Jack can be used alongside or instead of cheddar.
For a richer flavor, you can brush the bread with melted butter before wrapping it in foil.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Appetizer/Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/8 of loaf)
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 700mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 15g
Cholesterol: 60mg

Keywords: stuffed bread, philadelphia cheese, ham, jalapeños, appetizer, snack, baked bread, cheesy bread