Jalapeño Popper Smashburgers with Loaded Queso Fries
Jalapeño Popper Smashburgers with Loaded Queso Fries
Ingredients
For the Jalapeño Popper Spread
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 jalapeños, diced, seeds removed for less heat
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Smashburgers
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 80/20 blend recommended
- 1 tablespoon Cast Iron Beef Seasoning, or your preferred beef seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Golden Hour Garlic Seasoning, or your preferred garlic seasoning
- 8 strips bacon
- 8 American cheese slices
- 4 burger buns
For the Loaded Queso Fries
- 1 pound frozen crispy fries
- 1 cup queso, warmed
- 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your Blackstone griddle to medium-high heat. While the griddle heats, prepare the ground beef.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Place the ground beef in a large tray or bowl. Season generously with Cast Iron Beef Seasoning and Golden Hour Garlic Seasoning. Gently form the seasoned ground beef into 8 equal-sized balls, being careful not to overwork the meat.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
In a separate bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, diced jalapeños, shredded cheddar cheese, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and form a spread.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Place the bacon strips on the hot griddle and cook until crispy. Remove the cooked bacon from the griddle and set aside in a bowl, reserving some for the loaded fries.
⏱️ 7 min
- 5
Place the ground beef balls onto the hot griddle. Immediately use a burger press to smash each ball flat into a thin patty. Cook for 2-3 minutes until a crust forms.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Flip each smashed patty. Immediately place one slice of American cheese on top of each patty. Scoop a dollop (about 1 tablespoon) of the prepared jalapeño popper spread onto the melting American cheese on each burger patty.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Cover the griddle with a lid for 1-2 minutes to help melt the cheese and warm the jalapeño popper spread through.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
While the burgers finish, place the burger buns, cut-side down, on the griddle to toast until golden brown. Remove from the griddle once toasted.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Remove the finished burger patties from the griddle. For each burger, stack two patties together.
⏱️ 1 min
- 10
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F. Place the frozen crispy fries in the air fryer basket and cook according to package directions, typically 15-20 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 380
- 11
Assemble the Jalapeño Popper Smashburgers: Place a toasted bottom bun on a plate. Add the double smashburger patty. Top with several strips of the crispy bacon. Place the toasted top bun onto the burger.
⏱️ 3 min
- 12
Prepare the Loaded Queso Fries: Once the fries are cooked, transfer them to a serving dish. Drizzle the warmed queso generously over the fries. Crumble and sprinkle the reserved chopped bacon and chopped green onions over the queso fries.
⏱️ 2 min
- 13
Serve the Jalapeño Popper Smashburgers immediately alongside the Loaded Queso Fries.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Jalapeño Popper Smashburgers with Loaded Queso Fries
For the Jalapeño Popper Spread
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 jalapeños, diced, seeds removed for less heat
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Smashburgers
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 80/20 blend recommended
- 1 tablespoon Cast Iron Beef Seasoning, or your preferred beef seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Golden Hour Garlic Seasoning, or your preferred garlic seasoning
- 8 strips bacon
- 8 American cheese slices
- 4 burger buns
For the Loaded Queso Fries
- 1 pound frozen crispy fries
- 1 cup queso, warmed
- 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your Blackstone griddle to medium-high heat. While the griddle heats, prepare the ground beef.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Place the ground beef in a large tray or bowl. Season generously with Cast Iron Beef Seasoning and Golden Hour Garlic Seasoning. Gently form the seasoned ground beef into 8 equal-sized balls, being careful not to overwork the meat.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
In a separate bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, diced jalapeños, shredded cheddar cheese, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and form a spread.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Place the bacon strips on the hot griddle and cook until crispy. Remove the cooked bacon from the griddle and set aside in a bowl, reserving some for the loaded fries.
⏱️ 7 min - 5
Place the ground beef balls onto the hot griddle. Immediately use a burger press to smash each ball flat into a thin patty. Cook for 2-3 minutes until a crust forms.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Flip each smashed patty. Immediately place one slice of American cheese on top of each patty. Scoop a dollop (about 1 tablespoon) of the prepared jalapeño popper spread onto the melting American cheese on each burger patty.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Cover the griddle with a lid for 1-2 minutes to help melt the cheese and warm the jalapeño popper spread through.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
While the burgers finish, place the burger buns, cut-side down, on the griddle to toast until golden brown. Remove from the griddle once toasted.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Remove the finished burger patties from the griddle. For each burger, stack two patties together.
⏱️ 1 min - 10
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F. Place the frozen crispy fries in the air fryer basket and cook according to package directions, typically 15-20 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 380 - 11
Assemble the Jalapeño Popper Smashburgers: Place a toasted bottom bun on a plate. Add the double smashburger patty. Top with several strips of the crispy bacon. Place the toasted top bun onto the burger.
⏱️ 3 min - 12
Prepare the Loaded Queso Fries: Once the fries are cooked, transfer them to a serving dish. Drizzle the warmed queso generously over the fries. Crumble and sprinkle the reserved chopped bacon and chopped green onions over the queso fries.
⏱️ 2 min - 13
Serve the Jalapeño Popper Smashburgers immediately alongside the Loaded Queso Fries.