Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers (Printer-friendly)

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

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 Steps:

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 spice.
03 - In a bowl, combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, chives, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt until smooth.
04 - Fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture, mounding slightly on top.
05 - In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs with olive oil. Sprinkle or press the breadcrumb mixture onto the tops of filled jalapeños.
06 - Arrange poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
07 - Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes until the tops are golden and jalapeños are tender.
08 - If desired, sprinkle with crumbled bacon immediately after cooking. Serve warm with ranch or sour cream dip.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They come out ridiculously crispy without the mess and calories of deep frying.
  • The creamy cheese filling balances the heat so perfectly that even my spice-wary friends go back for more.
  • You can prep them ahead and just pop them in the air fryer when guests arrive.
  • They're ready in under half an hour, which makes them a lifesaver for last-minute gatherings.
02 -
  • Don't skip preheating the air fryer or your poppers won't crisp up properly on top.
  • If you leave too many seeds in, the heat can be overwhelming, so taste-test your jalapeños raw and adjust accordingly.
  • Softening the cream cheese fully is crucial, lumpy filling is hard to spread and doesn't taste as smooth.
  • Overcrowding the basket will steam the poppers instead of crisping them, so give them space even if it means cooking in two rounds.
03 -
  • Use a small spoon or a grapefruit spoon with a serrated edge to scrape out the seeds quickly and cleanly.
  • If your air fryer runs hot, check the poppers at 7 minutes to avoid burning the breadcrumb topping.
  • For a smokier flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the cheese filling.
  • Leftover poppers reheat beautifully in the air fryer at 180°C for 3 to 4 minutes, and they taste almost as good as fresh.
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