Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers (Printable)

Crispy jalapeños stuffed with creamy cheese filling, air-fried to golden perfection in just 25 minutes.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Jalapeños

01 - 8 large fresh jalapeños

→ Filling

02 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
03 - 4 ounces 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:

01 - Preheat air fryer to 375°F for 5 minutes.
02 - Wash jalapeños thoroughly. Slice each in half lengthwise and use a spoon to carefully remove seeds and membranes. Wear gloves if sensitive to capsaicin.
03 - In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, chives, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt until smooth and well incorporated.
04 - Distribute cheese mixture evenly into each jalapeño half, mounding slightly above the rim.
05 - In a small bowl, combine 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. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
07 - Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes until breadcrumb topping is golden and jalapeños are tender.
08 - Remove from air fryer. If desired, sprinkle with crumbled bacon immediately. Serve warm with dipping sauce.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • They come together in under half an hour, which means you can pull off impressive appetizers without planning ahead.
  • The air fryer gives you that restaurant-quality crispy top without the mess or oil of deep frying.
  • You control the heat level by how much you scrape out the insides, so even spice-shy friends can enjoy them.
  • The creamy, tangy filling balances the jalapeño bite in a way that keeps you reaching for just one more.
02 -
  • If you skip preheating the air fryer, the breadcrumbs can turn soggy instead of crispy, so those 5 minutes really matter.
  • Leaving too many seeds in the peppers can make them painfully hot, even for spice lovers, so scrape generously unless you want serious heat.
  • Softening the cream cheese fully is key; cold cream cheese won't blend smoothly and you'll end up with a lumpy filling that's hard to spread.
  • Don't overcrowd the basket or the poppers will steam instead of crisp, and you'll lose that perfect texture on top.
03 -
  • Use a small spoon or a grapefruit spoon with serrated edges to scrape out the jalapeño insides quickly and cleanly.
  • If your cream cheese is too cold and won't soften in time, microwave it for 10 seconds at a time until it's spreadable but not melted.
  • Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper (with holes) to make cleanup easier, especially if any cheese bubbles over.
  • For a smokier flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the filling or sprinkle it on top before air frying.
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