Air fryer jalapeño poppers are the perfect mix of spicy, creamy, and crispy-making them an irresistible party appetizer or game day snack. Fresh jalapeños are filled with a cheesy bacon-packed mixture, topped with seasoned panko, and crisped up in the air fryer for maximum flavor and crunch.
With just 10 minutes of prep and a quick cook time, these poppers come together easily and are made even simpler with the help of the air fryer. A mix of cheddar, cream cheese, and bacon gives the filling a rich, savory bite, while pickled jalapeños and red onion add an extra kick.
Air fryer appetizers are quick and easy to make. Also try these air fryer toasted ravioli or this air fryer blooming onion.
Serve them warm with ranch on the side for dipping. They're a crowd favorite that's best enjoyed fresh, but still tasty reheated for leftovers.
Ingredients
- Jalapenos, sliced in half and deseeded
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Cream cheese
- Mayonnaise
- Bacon, crumbled
- Pickled jalapenos, diced
- Red onion, diced
- Garlic
- Salt
- Paprika
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Ranch dressing, to serve (optional)
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Make these air fryer jalapeno poppers easily by following these simple step-by-step directions.
Step one: Prep a baking sheet with parchment or foil. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Using gloves, slice each jalapeno in half and deseed. Set aside.
Step two: In a medium bowl, combine the cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, bacon, pickled jalapenos, onion and about half of the garlic salt and half of the paprika. Stir well to combine. Set aside.
Step three: In another smaller bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs with the remaining garlic salt and paprika. Stir to combine, set aside.
Step four: Using a spoon, fill each jalapeno with the cheese filling and press into the jalapeno. Sprinkle the filled jalapenos with the panko mixture.
Step five: Place 6-8 jalapenos in the basket of the air fryer - leaving at least an inch between each popper. Cook in the air fryer at 380 degrees for 6-7 minutes.
Step six: Remove the jalapenos from the basket and place on the prepared baking sheet. Place in the preheated oven to keep warm while working through the rest of the poppers in the air fryer.
Hint: Serve immediately with ranch as a dipping sauce, if desired.
Storage
You can keep these stored in the refrigerator for 3 - 4 days, if kept in an airtight container. Or, you can freeze them for up to 6 months.
Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Baking Sheet
- Gloves optional
- Knife
- Small Bowl
- Medium Bowl
Ingredients
- 12 fresh Jalapenos deseeded + sliced in half
- 2 cups Cheddar cheese shredded
- 8 oz Cream cheese
- 2 tablespoon Mayonnaise
- 4 strips Bacon crumbled or ¼ cup
- ¼ cup Pickled jalapenos diced
- ¼ cup Red onion diced
- 1 teaspoon Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ tsp Paprika
- ½ cup Breadcrumbs
- Ranch dressing optional for dipping
Instructions
- Prep a baking sheet with parchment or foil. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
- Using gloves, slice each jalapeno in half and deseed. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, bacon, pickled jalapenos, onion and about half of the garlic salt and half of the paprika. Stir well to combine. Set aside.
- In another smaller bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs with the remaining garlic salt and paprika. Stir to combine, set aside.
- Using a spoon, fill each jalapeno with the cheese filling and press into the jalapeno - again, gloves are highly recommended while continuing to handle the jalapenos. Set aside.
- Sprinkle the filled jalapenos with the panko mixture.
- Place 6-8 jalapenos in the basket of the air fryer - leaving at least an inch between each popper. Work in batches if necessary.
- Cook in the air fryer at 380 degrees for 6-7 minutes.
- Remove the jalapenos from the basket and place on the prepared baking sheet. Place in the preheated oven to keep warm while working through the rest of the poppers in the air fryer.
- Serve immediately with ranch as a dipping sauce, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is just an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
