Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers

These Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers are a nice balance of perfect balance of spicy, creamy, and cheesy goodness.

Made with jalapeño peppers stuffed with cheese and then wrapped in bacon, these poppers are a flavorful idea that is perfect as a snack or appetizer.

What are Jalapeno Poppers?

Jalapeno Poppers are peppers stuffed with a cheese-based filling and then cooked or then baked or fried until they are warm and creamy on the inside and crispy on the outside..

I like how easy this recipe is to make in an air fryer..

Have you tried my Homemade Taco Seasoning

That taco seasoning is incredibly easy to make and has a multitude of uses.
Adding a teaspoon or two of that taco seasoning to the cheesy filling in this recipe can really take your poppers up a notch.

Using a large toothpick or skewer (that are air fryer safe) can help keep your popper ingredients together and help you with serving your poppers. You can find a selection of large toothpicks here.

Why we love cheese stuffed jalapeno poppers.

This is a quick and easy recipe that takes about 20 minutes to make. You can also serve this as an appetizer or a snack.

Here is what else we like about this recipe.

• These poppers satisfy that craving for spicy, creamy, and savory.
• Personalizing this recipe is as easy as using turkey bacon or changing up your cheese.
• You can serve these poppers as is or with a dip.
• This recipe goes especially well for gatherings such as parties or game day celebrations.
• Low carbohydrate diet followers can easily enjoy stuffed poppers wrapped in bacon.
• Leftover poppers taste great cold or warmed up in your air fryer.

Ingredients needed to make Jalapeno Poppers

• Jalapeño Peppers Use fresh peppers for best results. Your peppers should be sliced in half lengthwise and the seeds should be removed (stems can stay).
• Cream Cheese. Your cream cheese should be softened to room temperature to make blending with other ingredients and filling the peppers easier.
• Cheddar Cheese. Shredded cheese will melt best in this recipe.
• Seasonings; garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Bacon. Use regular bacon (not Canadian for example) that is thin enough to wrap around your stuffed peppers.

Tips for making the best air fried poppers.

When selecting jalapeno, select peppers that are of similar size and are intact. Larger peppers will be able to hold more of the cheese filling as well.

More helpful tips for you.

1. You will need to slice your peppers in half and remove the seeds. It is important that you take precautions, such as wearing gloves and avoiding touching your eyes, while working with hot peppers.
2. Avoid overstuffing the peppers with the filling as the cheeses will soften when heated which can result in an overflow of ingredients from the peppers.
3. How do I make the poppers less spicy?
   To reduce the heat, make sure to remove all the seeds and membranes from the jalapenos. You can also soak the halved jalapenos in cold water for about 30 minutes before stuffing to further lessen their spiciness.
4. What else can be added to the filling?
   You can also mix in cooked and crumbled sausage, ground beef, or diced cooked chicken to the cream cheese filling for a heartier popper. Note that air fry times can vary if you do this.
5. What dips can I serve these poppers with? To balance out the heat, you can serve poppers with a dairy based dip such as ranch dip or dressing. Other options include salsa or guacamole.
6. How do I wrap the bacon around the stuffed pepper? I like to hold one end down on the back of the pepper and then loosely wrap with bacon as the bacon will shrink as it cooks. Another option is to use precooked bacon that is chopped up and mixed in with your filling (air fry times can vary)

How to make Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers

Prep Time: 10 minutes .
Air Fry Time: 12 minutes .
Servings: 12 poppers .

1. Preheat your air fryer to 375. If you have not done so, prepare your peppers as indicated.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, use a fork to combine together the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese and seasonings ( garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper). Mix until somewhat creamy and well blended.
3. Next, use a tablespoon to evenly fill each of the sliced peppers. If you are using smaller peppers, a teaspoon can work. Then use the backside of your spoon to pack the filling in place (image 2).
4. Take a slice of bacon and wrap it around each cream cheese-filled jalapeno half. You can secure the bacon on the pepper with toothpicks if needed.
5. Place the stuffed and wrapped peppers into your air fryer basket, leaving space between the peppers for the warm air to circulate. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to make this recipe in batches (image 3).
6. Air fry for about 12-15 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy (or done to your likings) and the jalapenos are tender. Check halfway through the air fry time (about six minutes) and, if needed, flip the poppers to ensure even cooking.
7. Once your poppers are done, carefully remove the from the air fryer. Then allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving as the centers will be warm.

Expert Tip 👉 This recipe can be made in an oven. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the poppers for about 20-25 minutes or until the bacon is crispy. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

How to store cheese stuffed peppers wrapped in bacon.

Once your poppers have fully cooled they can be stored in an airtight container. When properly stored and refrigerated, these peppers should keep for up to three days. You can reheat them in your air fryer before serving.

You may also be interested in the air fryer appetizer recipes.

• Air Fryer Cheddar Bay Biscuits- Copycat Red Lobster
• Air Fryer Garlic Bread
• Air Fryer Crispy Potato Wedges
• Air Fryer Steak Bites With Garlic Butter
• Air Fryer Copycat Doritos
• Air Fryer Crispy Potato Wedges

Print the recipe for Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers

Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers, a delicious appetizer or snack recipe featuring cheese stuffed peppers wrapped in bacon served warm.

Please see recipe post for further details on this recipe.