Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers (Printable View)

Crispy jalapeños stuffed with creamy cheese filling, air-fried golden. Ready in 25 minutes for an irresistible appetizer.

# What You Need:

→ Jalapeños

01 - 8 large fresh jalapeños

→ Filling

02 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
03 - 4 oz shredded cheddar cheese
04 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Coating

08 - 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Optional Toppings

10 - 2 tablespoons cooked, crumbled bacon

# How To Make It:

01 - Set air fryer to 375°F and preheat for 5 minutes.
02 - Wash jalapeños and slice each in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, carefully remove seeds and membranes. Wear gloves if sensitive to spice.
03 - In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, chives, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt until smooth.
04 - Spoon cheese mixture into each jalapeño half, mounding slightly above the surface.
05 - In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs with olive oil until evenly moistened. Press mixture onto the tops of filled jalapeños.
06 - Place poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary.
07 - Air fry at 375°F for 8 to 10 minutes until golden brown and jalapeños are tender.
08 - Remove from air fryer and immediately sprinkle with crumbled bacon if desired. Serve warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They cook faster than the oven version and come out crispier without any oil splatter.
  • You control the heat by how much membrane you leave in, so everyone can enjoy them.
  • The filling is creamy enough to balance the bite, and the golden crust adds a satisfying crunch.
  • Perfect for using up a pile of peppers or impressing guests with minimal effort.
02 -
  • Wear gloves or wash your hands immediately after handling jalapeños, because touching your eyes or face an hour later with residual capsaicin is a painful mistake.
  • Do not skip preheating the air fryer, or the poppers will cook unevenly and the breadcrumbs will turn pale and soggy instead of golden.
  • If your peppers are small, use less filling and reduce the cook time by a minute or two to avoid overcooking the delicate walls.
03 -
  • Use a small spoon or a grapefruit spoon with serrated edges to scrape out the ribs cleanly and quickly without tearing the pepper walls.
  • If your air fryer basket is small, work in batches and keep the first batch warm in a low oven while the second cooks.
  • For a smoky twist, add a quarter teaspoon of smoked paprika to the filling and watch how it deepens the flavor without extra effort.
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