Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers are an easy, fun 4-ingredient game day snack. These spicy peppers are stuffed with golden-brown cheese and sprinkled with bacon bits.
If you want more quick snacks in the air fryer, try my air fryer chicken taquitos or my air frying tater tots.
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Why this Jalapeño Pepper Recipe is a Keeper
Jalapeño poppers are the ultimate game day snack. These perfect poppers are made with real bacon bits and jalapeño peppers. The air fryer jalapeño poppers are filled with cream cheese and shredded cheddar, giving them a smooth, creamy interior. Here are a few reasons why you’ll love this recipe for easy and delicious jalapeño poppers in the air fryer, topped with crispy bacon:
- 20 Minute Snack Perfection: Air frying jalapeno poppers is super easy, and this recipe takes less than 20 minutes to make.
- Easy Ingredients: All of the ingredients for fried jalapeno poppers can be found in your kitchen or local grocery store.
- Delicious Flavor: These cream cheese jalapeno poppers are full of spicy, savory flavor.
How Do I Prevent the Jalapenos from Exploding in the Air Fryer?
When air frying jalapenos, it’s important to make sure they’re completely dry before you put them in the air fryer. Make sure to shake them to make sure they cook evenly.
Easy Jalapeno Poppers Recipe Ingredient Notes
- Jalapeño: You will need 6 medium to large jalapeños to make this easy appetizer using the air fryer. You may need to adjust the time it takes to make them, depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Cream Cheese: Any softened cream cheese will work, you can use regular, whipped, or low fat.
- Shredded Cheese: You can use colby jack, regular, or sharp cheddar cheese.
- Bacon Pieces: I used a 2.5 oz package of crisp bacon pieces, but you can also cut a slice of bacon into small pieces.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients with measurements.
Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers Prep Ahead Suggestions
- Make Ahead: To make jalapeño poppers ahead of time, cut and stuff the jalapenos with the cream cheese mixture and store in the fridge on a baking sheet for 1-2 days.
Special Equipment Needed for this Easy Air Fryer Recipe
- Air Fryer: Make sure to line your air fryer before you fry the jalapenos.
- Gloves: Wear gloves while preparing this air fryer jalapeño poppers recipe.
Pro Tip to Make Air Fryer Cheesy Poppers
A light coat of oil spray will help the poppers crisp up.
How to Make Jalapeño Poppers
These jalapeno poppers are one of our favorite game day snacks. They’re a super easy snack to make. Once they’re ready to cook, just fry them quickly in the air fryer until the bacon is crisp and the cheese is golden brown. Follow the steps below to learn how to make air fryer jalapeno poppers.
These are the basic steps for making jalapeno poppers in air fryer. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
1. Prepare the Jalapeno Peppers
Preheat your air fryer to 385 degrees and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Wearing food grade gloves, slice the jalapenos in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds and ribs.
2. Add the Cheese Mixture
In a medium bowl or small bowl, add cream cheese, shredded cheese, and bacon. Mix together to combine, then use a spoon to stuff the jalapeno halves with the mixture.
3. Fry the Jalapeno Poppers in Air Fryer Basket
Arrange jalapenos in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer, and air fry for a cook time of 6-7 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly. The time will vary based on the size of your air fryer. You’ll likely need to cook them in batches. Remove the stuffed peppers from the fryer and serve warm.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftover Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers Appetizers
- Storing: Wrap leftover peppers in foil and store in the refrigerator.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave until warmed through. You can also place in the air fryer for a few minutes.
- Using Leftovers: This air fryer jalapeno poppers recipe should be good for 1-3 days.
Variations and Substitutions for Crunchy Jalapeno Poppers in the Air Fryer
- Oven: Bake in the oven if you do not have an air fryer.
- Crispy Breaded Poppers: Coat the outside of the jalapeño in an egg wash, then cover in buttery panko bread crumbs.
- Spicy: Add hot sauce or red pepper flakes to the cream cheese filling.
- Cheesy: Load up on extra cheese, or try a different cheese like smoked gouda. Or have extra cheese or sauce for dipping.
- Herbs: Add fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley, or chives to the cream cheese filling. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Sweet and Spicy: Drizzle with honey or maple syrup for a sweet and spicy contrast.
Game Day Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers FAQs
If you tried this recipe, be sure to leave a comment. Reader interactions help us continue to make recipes like this.
Serve this recipe with air fryer tater tots, air fryer pizza rolls, or air fryer chicken strips. They also go well with a batch of air fryer chicken wings.
Use gloves when cutting open the peppers, and use a small spoon to remove the seeds.
Yes; red jalapenos are more mature and spicier. Use these to make your jalapeno poppers hotter.
Expert Tips for Making this Air Fryer Appetizer Recipe
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: If you are looking to make this recipe for a big superbowl party, you can easily double or triple the recipe by proportionally increasing the ingredients.
- Add ins: To the cream cheese mixture, you can also add onion powder, garlic powder, salt, chopped scallions. Hold the poppers together with toothpicks.
- Choose the Right Jalapenos: Look for firm, plump jalapenos with bright green color.
- Seed and Core Carefully: Remove the seeds and membrane to reduce heat, but leave a few for a spicy kick.
- Cheese Choice: Cream cheese is a classic choice, but you can also experiment with other cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or goat cheese.
- Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs create a crispy coating.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy the poppers hot and crispy.
Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
Equipment
- Food Grade Gloves
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Ingredients
- 6 Jalapeno Peppers, medium to large
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese, softened
- 4 ounces Colby Jack or Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- 2.5 ounces Bacon Pieces
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 385 degrees.
- Wearing food grade gloves, slice the jalapenos in half lengthwise, and remove all of the seeds.
- In a medium bowl, add the rest of the ingredients, and stir to combine.
- Use a spoon to stuff the mixture into the jalapenos.
- Arrange jalapenos in a single layer in the air fryer basket, and air fry for 6-7 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly. You may have to air fry in two batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Remove from air fryer, and serve warm.
Christina’s Notes
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: If you are looking to make this recipe for a big superbowl party, you can easily double or triple the recipe by proportionally increasing the ingredients.
- Add ins: To the cream cheese mixture, you can also add onion powder, garlic powder, salt, chopped scallions. Hold the poppers together with toothpicks.
- Choose the Right Jalapenos: Look for firm, plump jalapenos with bright green color.
- Seed and Core Carefully: Remove the seeds and membrane to reduce heat, but leave a few for a spicy kick.
- Cheese Choice: Cream cheese is a classic choice, but you can also experiment with other cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or goat cheese.
- Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs create a crispy coating.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy the poppers hot and crispy.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
I’m allergic to cream cheese. What else would you recommend? (Greek cheese is also a no-no for me. ) Cottage cheese is okay.
These look so tasty! Looking forward to trying this recipe!
Thanks for your time to reply =^)
I would try a dairy free cream cheese such as daiya or kite hill.