Air fryer jalapeno poppers have all the savory flavor you love in this classic appetizer — made even faster! For times when you need an easy game day snack or delicious party food, they come together so easily. And unlike other cooking methods, making jalapeno poppers in the air fryer needs only 10 minutes of cook time. Just like my jalapeno popper hasselback chicken, jalapeno popper chaffles, and classic jalapeno poppers in the oven, this recipe combines the creaminess of two cheeses with a kick from spicy jalapenos. Wrap it all in bacon, and you get the ultimate salty, savory dish in a flash!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for jalapeno air fryer poppers, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Jalapeno Peppers – Choose bright green ones with a smooth skin, and select peppers similar in size, so that they cook evenly.Cream Cheese – I prefer full fat cream cheese, but any variety (including neufchatel cheese) will work. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature.Cheddar Cheese – Sharp cheddar cheese tastes delicious in these poppers, but any kind works (including pre-shredded varieties).Spices – Black pepper and garlic powder.Bacon – You’ll need 24 strips of raw bacon. Avoid thicker cuts, as they will take longer to cook.
OTHER ADDITIONS: Want to add something else? Parmesan cheese, onion powder, or sliced scallions also make nice additions to the cream cheese mixture.
How To Make Jalapeno Poppers In The Air Fryer
This section shows how to make air fryer poppers with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
Preheat. Heat air fryer to 325 degrees F.Prep. Cut the jalapeno peppers in half. Scoop out the seeds and white membranes.Mix. In a small bowl, combine the cheeses and spices.
Fill. Spread about 1 tablespoon of the cheese mixture into each jalapeno half.Wrap. Wrap each pepper half in one slice of bacon. Secure with toothpicks.
Air fry. Place jalapeno peppers in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook until the bacon is crispy and fully cooked.
Tips For The Best Jalapeno Poppers In The Air Fryer
Follow these tricks for perfect poppers every time!
Wear gloves. When you handle spicy peppers, gloves help prevent accidental burns in your eyes or hands. Always wash your hands after preparing spicy peppers.Work in batches. If you have a small air fryer, stretch the cooking over multiple batches to ensure they have enough air flow to get crisp. Don’t crowd the basket.Use precooked bacon if you have time (optional). This is not required, but for extra crispy poppers, precook your bacon in the air fryer for 6 minutes at 370 degrees. Then, wrap around the stuffed jalapenos and continue cooking in the air fryer as written.Don’t skip the toothpicks. They help keep bacon from shrinking and falling off the peppers, and also prevent the cheese from leaking out.
How long for jalapeno poppers in the air fryer?
Fresh, homemade jalapeno poppers take 10-14 minutes in a 325 degree F air fryer.
Are air fryer jalapeno poppers keto?
Many jalapeno popper recipes are not keto because they use panko breadcrumbs. Always check ingredient lists to know for certain! This recipe for jalapeno poppers in the air fryer is naturally low carb and keto friendly.
Why are my jalapeno poppers soggy?
Jalapeno poppers wrapped in bacon in the air fryer should have a slightly softened pepper, but still firm enough to pick up. If your peppers are too soft, you can try these fixes:
Par-cook the bacon. Fry the bacon separately in a pan (or cook bacon in the air fryer) until it has rendered some fat, but is still pliable. Wrap peppers and cook as usual.Cook for less time. You can follow the recipe as-is and decrease the cooking time, but the bacon may not be as crispy.
Can you bake them in the oven?
Yes, follow my regular cream cheese jalapeno poppers recipe for that.
Storage Instructions
Store: Place poppers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.Meal prep: Prepare cheese filling in advance. You can also assemble the poppers and just cook them when ready.Reheat: Reheat poppers in the air fryer at 325 degrees F, until warm.Freeze: To avoid mushy peppers after thawing, it’s best to cook the jalapeno poppers in the air fryer for at least a couple of minutes before freezing. You could cook them all the way through, or just cook for a couple of minutes to reduce enzyme activity and avoid the mushy result. Either way, let them cool and flash freeze on a lined baking sheet until solid. Then, transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. From there, you can reheat (or finish cooking) in the air fryer from frozen.
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