Homemade Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

These homemade air fryer jalapeno poppers have a rich cream cheese filling and a crispy breadcrumb topping! They’re ready in just 12 minutes in the air fryer and make the ultimate game day snack or party appetizer! 

If you’re planning a game day gathering with friends, you’ll want to add these jalapeno poppers to the menu. They’re quick and easy, and the air fryer ensures the peppers are tender and the topping is golden brown and crispy!

We love to pair these poppers with other air fryer finger foods like these air fryer popcorn shrimp, air fryer ravioli, air fryer pierogies and air fryer tater tots!

We also have a love for spicy jalapeno snacks, so game day gatherings usually include these jalapeno hush puppies and this cranberry jalapeno dip! Be sure to check them out if you’re a jalapeno lover like us!

And don't forget these ultra delicious roasted jalapenos - they are amazing used in salsa but also good as a snack 🙂

Why this air fryer jalapeño poppers recipe works

• The air fryer saves time! Oven baked jalapeno poppers can take over 20 minutes to bake but when you prepare them in the air fryer, they bake up quickly in the air fryer and are golden brown and delicious in just 10-12 minutes!
• Using the air fryer means you can free up your oven space for other delicious finger foods like these baked BBQ chicken wings.
• The addition of crumbled bacon to the cream cheese mixture makes them less work than bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers but you still get the salty bacon goodness paired with the rich cheesy filling and spicy jalapeno flavor!
• They can be prepared in advance and filled with cream cheese, then cooked when you're ready to serve them. They can even be cooked from frozen!

Ingredients

For the full list of ingredients and quantities, please see the recipe card below.

You’ll need about 6-8 jalapeños for this recipe. Slice them lengthwise and scoop out the seeds to make room for the cheesy filling. (The seeds are also where most of the jalapeno heat comes from, so removing them will lessen the heat. You can also remove the membrane to reduce the heat).

For the filling, we use full fat cream cheese for the creamiest results, which should be softened so it mixes together easily with the other ingredients. (I usually let mine sit at room temperature for a little bit to soften it).

The recipe calls for cooked crumbled crispy bacon. To save time, you can buy precooked bacon or crumbled bacon. I also use microwave bacon a lot for this. Leftover sous vide bacon is a great option too as it is a great way to ensures you get crisp bacon.

For the crispy topping, we use panko breadcrumbs and melted butter. Make sure you’re using panko crumbs and not regular breadcrumbs which are soft and will not create the same golden brown and crispy topping.

Variations and substitutions

• Substitute chopped green onions for the chives. You can also omit the chives if needed.
• Substitute sharp cheddar cheese (or any shredded cheddar) or mozzarella cheese for the Parmesan if desired. Parmesan is good for it's nutty, salty flavor.
• You can omit the bacon if you prefer a meatless option. You may need to increase the salt a touch of you do this.
• Substitute browned and crumbled sausage or diced cooked ham for the bacon.
• You can also use this recipe for other types of similar sized peppers.
• Substitute ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder for the fresh garlic if preferred.
• Mix in seasonings such as onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder or other seasonings to additional spiciness and/or flavor.

Step by step instructions

1. Stir the breadcrumbs and melted butter together and set aside.

2. Combine the remaining ingredients in a bowl and mix well to combine.

3. Spread the mixture into each of the jalapeño halves until all the filling has been used.

4. Top with the buttered breadcrumbs.

5. Place the jalapenos in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook at 325°F degrees for 10-12 minutes, until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and crisped. Repeat with second batch, if necessary.

Serve them with toothpicks to make them easier to eat at parties.

Dipping sauce options

There are so many delicious ways to serve jalapeno poppers. Here are a few of our favorite dips to serve them with:

• Ranch dressing
• Cajun remoulade sauce
• Argentinian chimichurri
• Red chimichurri
• Blue cheese dressing
• Cilantro lime dip

Expert tips to make air fryer jalapeno poppers

1. When cutting the jalapenos, it’s best to wear gloves and use a spoon to remove the seeds. If you don’t use gloves, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly and be careful not to touch your face or eyes.
2. For even cooking, air fry the jalapeno poppers in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, this may require air frying in two batches.
3. Keep an eye on the poppers as the breadcrumb topping can brown quickly.
4. When adding the breadcrumbs to the top of the cream cheese filling, try to press it in a little instead of just sprinkling it on. You don’t want any of the breadcrumbs flying around in the air fryer!
5. If your air fryer model requires preheating, you should preheat it before adding the jalapeno poppers.
6. Different air fryer brands and models will vary, so you may need to adjust air frying time slightly. 

Common questions

Other air fryer recipes

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