Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• You get the rich, indulgent flavor of jalapeño poppers with much less oil.
• They cook quickly in the air fryer — perfect for last-minute entertaining.
• You can tweak the filling (extra cheese, herbs, bacon) to suit your taste.
• They reheat well in the air fryer to regain their crispiness.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Jalapeño peppers
• Cream cheese (softened)
• Shredded cheese (cheddar, Colby-Jack, or your preference)
• Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper (seasonings)
• (Optional) Bacon — thin slices or bacon pieces
• (Optional) Panko or breadcrumbs (if you prefer a topping)
• Cooking spray or a little oil

Directions

1. Prep jalapeños
   • Wash the jalapeño peppers.
   • Slice each jalapeño lengthwise and remove the seeds and membranes (for milder heat).
   • (Tip: Wear gloves to protect your hands when handling jalapeños.)
2. Mix filling
   • In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheese, and seasonings (garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper).
   • (If using bacon bits or green onions, stir them into the filling.)
3. Stuff the peppers
   • Spoon the cheese mixture into each jalapeño half, filling them well but not overflowing.
   • If using bacon slices, wrap each stuffed jalapeño with a strip of bacon and secure with a toothpick if needed.
4. Preheat (if needed)
   • Preheat your air fryer to about 370–375 °F (190–190 °C) (some recipes use 375 °F)
5. Air fry the poppers
   • Place the poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket (don’t overcrowd).
   • Optionally, lightly spray them with cooking spray to help with browning.
   • Cook for approximately 8–10 minutes, checking at around 8 minutes for doneness (cheese melted, bacon crisp)
   • If the top isn’t browned enough, you can air fry a minute or two more until crisp.
6. Serve
   • Let them cool 1–2 minutes before handling, then serve while hot as a spicy, cheesy bite.

Servings and timing

• Servings: about 10–12 poppers (depending on pepper size)
• Prep time: ~10 minutes
• Cook time: ~8–10 minutes
• Total time: ~18–20 minutes

Variations

• Bacon-wrapped: Use thin slices of bacon to wrap each stuffed jalapeño for extra flavor and crispiness.
• No bacon / vegetarian: Skip the bacon and rely on the cheese filling; sprinkle panko or breadcrumbs for texture.
• Spicy filling: Leave some seeds in the jalapeños, or add a dash of hot sauce to the cheese mixture.
• Herbal twist: Mix in chopped fresh herbs (parsley, chives) or smoked paprika to the filling for extra flavor.
• Breadcrumb topping: After stuffing, top with a mixture of panko + melted butter + a pinch of seasoning for a crunchy top. Freeze ahead: Assemble poppers ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze (uncooked). Cook from cold or frozen, adding a few minutes to cook time.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Once cooled, store leftover poppers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating: Use the air fryer (around 350-370 °F) for 2–4 minutes to re-crisp the exterior and warm the filling.
• Avoid microwaving, as it will soften the bacon and make the filling less pleasant to eat.

FAQs

How do I make these milder?

Remove all seeds and membranes inside the jalapeños. You can also soak them in cold water for a few minutes before stuffing.

Can I skip the bacon?

Yes — you can omit bacon and still have tasty poppers. To add texture, top with panko crumbs or a crispy topping.

Do I need to preheat the air fryer?

It depends on your air fryer model. Preheating helps get even crisping. Many recipes recommend preheating to around 370–375 °F.

How can I prevent the cheese from leaking?

Don’t overfill the peppers. Also, wrap or position the poppers so the stuffed side faces up initially.

What cheeses work best?

Cream cheese is classic for the base; sharp cheddar, Colby-Jack, or similar melts well.

Can I make them ahead?

Yes — you can assemble them in advance (even freeze them) and air fry when ready. Add a bit of time when cooking from frozen.

Will the bacon always crisp?

If your bacon is thick-cut, it may not get fully crisp. Use thinner bacon or partially cook it before wrapping if you want extra crispiness.

What if my poppers aren’t browned enough?

Continue air frying in short increments (1–2 minutes) until browned and crisp to your liking.

Can I bake them instead of air frying?

Yes — bake in an oven at about 400 °F (200 °C) for 15–20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and top is browned.

What dipping sauces pair well?

Ranch dressing, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or a smoky chipotle mayo are all great companion dips.

Conclusion

Air fryer jalapeño poppers deliver all the spicy, creamy, crunchy goodness you expect — but with far less oil and fuss. With simple ingredients and quick cook time, you can make them anytime for snacks, parties, or game day. Customize the filling and toppings to your taste, assemble ahead for convenience, and enjoy a fiery, cheesy treat with minimal cleanup.

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

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Spicy jalapeño halves filled with a creamy cheese mixture and air fried until crisp, bubbly, and golden. These air fryer jalapeño poppers are the perfect balance of heat, creaminess, and crunch — great for parties, snacks, or game days.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 8–10 minutes
• Total Time: 18–20 minutes
• Yield: 10–12 poppers
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Air Fryer
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

• 6–8 medium jalapeño peppers
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Colby-Jack cheese
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup panko or breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
• Cooking spray or light oil mist

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Instructions

1. Wash and slice jalapeños lengthwise. Remove seeds and membranes for a milder flavor (wear gloves if needed).
2. In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese, shredded cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add or green onions if desired.
3. Stuff each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture, filling but not overflowing. Optionally, wrap each with a strip sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
4. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
5. Arrange poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray with oil.
6. Air fry for 8–10 minutes, checking around 8 minutes for doneness — cheese should be melted and tops golden
7. If needed, cook 1–2 minutes longer for extra browning. Let cool briefly before serving.

Notes

• Wear gloves when handling jalapeños to avoid irritation.
• Do not overfill the peppers to prevent cheese leakage.
• Reheat leftovers in the air fryer for 2–4 minutes to restore crispness.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2 poppers
• Calories: 140
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 240mg
• Fat: 11g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 3g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 30mg