These truly are the Best Jalapeno Poppers with Razor Clams! Once you try it, this will be one of your go-to razor clam recipes.
Made with Razor clams, jalapenos, bacon, cream cheese, green onion, cheese, and spices.
These are the Clam Poppers are the perfect appetizer to make for out-of-town guests to get a taste of Pacific Northwest recipes, and super easy to whip up! They are the easiest baked clam recipe, or pop them in the Air fryer to make them even faster.
Try this recipe and some of my others this razor clam season!
- Garlic Razor Clam Pizza (featured in the Observer)
- Razor Clam Chowder (thick and creamy)
- Razor Clam Dip
- Razor Clam Ceviche (Most popular, healthy!)
Table of Contents
INGREDIENTS FOR RAZOR CLAM JALAPENO POPPERS
- jalapenos. You'll want to choose large jalapenos so you can stuff enough of the dip in there. Once ready to make, was thoroughly, then dry with a paper towel. Cut in half and remove as much of the seeds as you'd like.
- razor clams. Thaw razor clams as described above, and use both the neck and the diggers. The diggers are usually more favored since their texture is much softer.
So, if you prefer to eat the digger, this recipe is perfect to substitute in the necks. Simply exchange all the diggers for necks that are as close to the size of the diggers as you can.
You can easily use, previously frozen clams. It's also a great chopped clam recipe!
- cream cheese. This is essential for the right creamy flavor.
- cheddar cheese. A medium cheddar provides the right amount of flavor in this recipe without taking over, however, a good substitute would be pepper jack if you want another little kick of spice. I love that stuff!
- green onion. I love using green onion in this recipe, the flavor combination is a win. If you don't have green onions on hand, try yellow onion.
- garlic powder. A little of bit garlic is a must to give these addicting bites another kick of flavor. If you are allergic, substitute for chives or leave them out knowing you'd love the garlic flavor.
- Cajun seasoning. Another must in this recipe. Cajun seasoning adds so much great flavor and adds a little kick of spicy to the stuffing.
- Johnny's seasoning salt. Seasoning salt is versatile, so I usually have it on hand to add a little more flavor to certain dishes, but if you're in a pinch or don't usually use seasoning salt, substitute it for regular salt and a pinch of paprika for good measure.
Toppings
- Panko. The crunch is the perfect touch. Use GF or regular depending on your diet.
- bacon, thinly sliced. Bacon, though delicious is completely optional. When purchasing bacon for this recipe, make sure you buy thinly sliced bacon, I like to use them in to make these clam poppers for many reasons.
One, they make it much easier to wrap the bacon around each stuffed jalapeno.
Two, because I like crispy bacon!
Three, I want to make sure the clams cook while the bacon is crisping to perfection. These really are the Best Jalapeno Poppers with Razor Clams! Yum!
EQUIPMENT YOU'LL NEED
- Food processor, for simplicity. This one has been my favorite for years.
- Sheet pan.
- Cutting board and knife.
- Oven or Air Fryer. Ninja Foodi is my absolute favorite Air Fryer and indoor grill that has a built-in thermometer!
TO MAKE THIS RAZOR CLAM RECIPE IN THE OVEN
There are two ways I like to make these clam poppers, one in the Air fryer, and two, as a baked clam recipe. They both turn out great and completely based on your preference.
1. Preheat the oven to 375. Spray a baking sheet with oil.
2. To a blender add cream cheese, razor clams, cheese, green onion, spices, and salt. Pulse until razor clams are chopped finely and all ingredients blended about 6-12 pulses.
3. Spread a generous amount of clam dip mixture inside each jalapeno half.
4. Wrap bacon around each popper then sprinkle the top with a generous amount of panko.
5. Place on a greased metal baking sheet. Bake for 18-20 minutes.
6. Remove and let sit for 5 minutes. Enjoy warm.
TO MAKE THEM IN THE AIR FRYER
Such a delicious seafood appetizer to make as your next Air fryer recipe
Air fryer Recipe:
- To a blender add cream cheese, razor clams, cheese, green onion, spices, and salt. Pulse until razor clams are chopped finely and all ingredients blended about 8-12 pulses.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375° F.
- Spread a generous amount of clam dip mixture inside each jalapeno half.
- Wrap bacon around each stuffed jalapeno then sprinkle a generous amount of panko on each. Place on a greased metal baking sheet.
- Place in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes. May need more or less time.
- Remove and let sit for 5 minutes prior to enjoying.
Make From Frozen Razor Clams - This makes a great frozen razor clams recipe! Simply thaw your razor clams overnight or for a few hours on the counter, and whip up this razor clam recipe.
Chopped clams?- If you have chopped clams and not sure what to make with them? You will need to give this recipe a try, whether the clams are chopped or left whole, this recipe will turn out perfectly since they're all added to a food processor.
FAQ
We have an entire section on our blog under the Activities tab dedicated to this very topic! Check it out here, Razor Clamming.
Pacific razor clams are along the Pacific coast, from Alaska down. In order to find razor clams, you will need a digging tool such as a clam gun, (here's a link for an awesome one!) or clam shovel, along with a low tide.
Depending on what state you are in, you will need to purchase a shellfish license and watch for approved clam tides. For more information, be sure to head to our Razor Clamming page, and go through our articles on everything you need to know before you go razor clamming on the Pacific coast. We have the best guides out there!
Here is a diagram that I put together to show the anatomy of Pacific Razor Clam.
This is a quick way to understand what to use in a recipe.
For this clam poppers recipe, I use every part of the razor clam. It's as easy as it can get, and won't affect the texture since everything will need to be blended in a food processor anyway.
if you enjoy eating the diggers of a razor clam but not the necks as much, then this is a great way to use them!
Once cooked, Pacific razor clams can last up to 2 days. However, we typically eat them the day of and the day after at most - it doesn't stay long in my house.
There are never leftovers with this clam poppers recipe, that's for sure! If you end up having leftovers, you can refrigerate razor clam recipes for up to 2 days.
I typically place the frozen razor clams in the fridge overnight to thaw. Razor clams thaw fairly quickly since they're so thin.
MORE RAZOR CLAM RECIPES
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The Best Jalapeno Poppers with Razor Clams
Ingredients
- 6 large jalapenos cut in half, seeded
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 5 large razor clams neck and digger
- ½ cup cheddar cheese or pepper jack
- 2 stalks green onion
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning substitute in notes
- pinch Johnny's seasoning salt
Toppings
- 6 slices thinly sliced bacon cut in half
- ¼ cup Panko
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°. Spray a baking sheet with oil.
- To a blender add cream cheese, razor clams, cheese, green onion, spices, and salt. Pulse until razor clams are chopped finely and all ingredients blended, about 8-12 pulses.
- Spread a generous amount of clam dip mixture inside each jalapeno half.
- Wrap bacon around each popper then sprinkle the top with a generous amount of panko.
- Place on a greased metal baking sheet. Bake for 18-20 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes. Enjoy warm.
Notes
- I use thinly sliced bacon in order not to overcook the clams, while the bacon cooks to perfection. I like my bacon crispy.
- Substitute for Cajun seasoning: ½ teaspoon of chili powder, ¼ teaspoon of dried thyme, and a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Squeeze the razor clams to get the juice out and pat dry with a paper towel, prior to blending.
- You can try without bacon if you want to taste the clams more than bacon.
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DJ
So delicious! What a great way to use razor clams.