These Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers are quick, easy, and super tasty! These perfect little appetizers are simple to make in the air fryer.
I am a jalapeno popper fiend. Every year at Christmas my grandmother makes delicious jalapeno poppers and I have very fond memories of sitting on the floor with a plate full of poppers, ready to stuff my face. These flavors work really well together and are great in this bacon-wrapped jalapeno popper stuffed chicken.
But my one complaint is that jalapeno poppers take forever to cook. You have to leave them in the oven long enough that the bacon gets crispy, the cheesy center gets warm and creamy, and the jalapeno gets nice and tender. It’s at least 30 minutes. Way too long to wait!
We’ve found a way to skip the wait. The air fryer! Everyone’s favorite kitchen appliance once again comes to the rescue. Now we can make delicious poppers in minutes.
»Looking for more great snacks? You might try these Crispy Baked Breaded Mushrooms or BBQ Pulled Pork Egg Rolls.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Jalapenos – halved, seeded and ribbed.
- Cream cheese – softened
- Seasonings – garlic powder, cumin and salt
- Bacon – thin sliced bacon works best so that it can crisp up quickly and evenly.
Helpful Tips
- Try getting jalapenos that are all the same size, that way they all cook the same. Bigger jalapenos are easier to fill and hold filling better.
- Use kitchen gloves when cutting and deseeding the jalapenos. Make sure to avoid getting the oil on your fingers and touching your face.
- If you want a more mild pepper remove all of the seeds and ribs. For more spice, leave some in.
- The bacon will shrink as it cooks, so try to wrap it leaving the ends under the popper or secure it using a toothpick.
- If you don’t want to use bacon try topping the poppers with seasoned bread crumbs.
Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
Ingredients
- 10 jalapenos, halved, seeded and ribbed
- 8 ounces (227 g) cream cheese, softened
- 2 teaspoons (6 g) garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons (4 g) ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon (6 g) salt
- 10 slices of bacon, halved
Instructions
- Cut jalapenos in half long ways. Remove the seeds and ribs.
- Mix softened cream cheese, garlic powder, cumin and salt. Taste and add more seasoning if desired.
- Fill each jalapeno with filling. Cut bacon in half. Wrap jalapenos in bacon and secure with a toothpick
- Fill air fryer basket with jalapenos, making sure they don't touch. Cook at 360 degrees for 10-12 minutes checking half way through.
Equipment Needed
Notes
- Try getting jalapenos that are all the same size, that way they all cook the same. Bigger jalapenos are easier to fill and hold filling better.
- Use kitchen gloves when cutting and deseeding the jalapenos. Make sure to avoid getting the oil on your fingers and touching your face.
- If you want a more mild pepper remove all of the seeds and ribs. For more spice, leave some in.
- The bacon will shrink as it cooks, so try to wrap it leaving the ends under the popper or secure it using a toothpick.
- If you don’t want to use bacon try topping the poppers with seasoned bread crumbs.
Nutrition
Can You Freeze Jalapeno Poppers?
Yes! I would suggest freezing them raw. Fully cooked poppers can be soft. They may get even softer and mushy when thawed. You can stuff and wrap them and then freeze them to cook later.
The joy of using the Air Fryer to cook these is that you can pull a few out of the freezer whenever you want them and it only takes 11 minutes to cook them.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Like it, Love it, Want Some More of It? Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch us cook and follow us on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook. We really love it when you save our recipes to Pinterest 😊
Pin it for later!
Jillian Morris is the resident baker for A Food Lover’s Kitchen. She started baking when she was very little and found she had a great passion for it. She is a high-schooler in a small town in Oregon, where she enjoys music, writing, and baking in her spare time.
Delicious and so easy!! Thanks for an amazing quick appetizer!
I made these while we were watching the games this weekend. My husband and kids loved them.
These would be perfect to make for game day! Looks delicious. 🙂
These were perfect for game day snacks! So easy and delicious.
I love using my air fryer, and these jalapeño poppers are a great little snack or appetizer, yum!
First of all, I love that you are a high school musician who loves to bake! That is so cool!
This recipe looks great and I am excited to try it. I plan to assemble them early in the day then cook them right before we plan to eat them. My family will love this! Great technique for the air fryer!
Thanks Margaret! This is my favorite appetizer. I’m sure your family will love them.