The exact cook time can vary. Read below for our tips!
These homemade air fryer jalapeño poppers are a delicious appetizer or snack that works for many occasions.
They have just the right kick from the jalapeños and a creamy, cheesy filling topped with crispy breadcrumbs and bacon for a bit of crunch and extra flavor.
Each bite is the perfect combination of flavors and textures. They might take a little extra effort compared to frozen jalapeño poppers, but they’re totally worth it!
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need to make these homemade jalapeño poppers:
- Jalapeño peppers – Choose firm peppers without blemishes; they should be roughly the same size to ensure even cooking.
- Cream cheese – We recommend using regular cream cheese, but you could use flavored cream cheese if you prefer.
- Cheddar cheese – Finely grated. Other cheese such as Monterey Jack also works.
- Salt – Enhances the overall flavor; adjust to taste.
- Black pepper – Use freshly cracked pepper for the best taste.
- Garlic powder – For extra flavor; adjust to taste.
- Onion powder – For extra flavor; adjust to taste.
- Panko breadcrumbs – You can use regular unseasoned breadcrumbs but we prefer panko breadcrumbs for this recipe.
- Regular cut bacon – Optional. Don’t use thick-cut bacon for this recipe.
Recipe Tips
- Wear gloves or wash your hands thoroughly after handling the insides of the peppers, because the spicy oils can cause irritation.
- Make sure the cream cheese is soft, otherwise it will be difficult to mix.
- You can soak the toothpicks in water before using them to secure the bacon.
- The amount of filling you need may vary depending on the size of the peppers. If you don’t have enough filling, you can add some extra grated cheddar cheese.
- Avoid overfilling the pepper halves. Excess filling may bubble out and make a mess in the air fryer.
- You can use a whole piece of bacon per pepper half, but we recommend using a half strip per pepper half. A whole strip will cover the entire pepper in bacon and can affect the cooking time slightly.
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Step by Step Instructions
First, rinse the jalapeno peppers. Then cut them in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds and the white veins.
You can wear gloves or just thoroughly wash your hands after handling the insides of the peppers.
Keep the stem or remove them, depending on your preference.
Grab a mixing bowl and add the cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
Using a knife, spread the cream cheese filling into the pepper. Depending on the size of the peppers you may need slightly more or less filling.
Now dip the cheese side of the peppers into the panko breadcrumbs and press down gently to give the peppers a crunchy top coating. Then set them aside.
On a cutting board, cut the strips of bacon lengthwise.
Wrap one bacon strip around the middle of each stuffed jalapeño, securing the bacon ends with a toothpick.
Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit. When the air fryer is hot, add the peppers to the air fryer in one even layer, leaving space between them.
Cook the homemade jalapeño poppers at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 7-9 minutes, or until the peppers are soft, the cheese filling is bubbling, and the breadcrumbs are golden brown.
The exact cooking time may vary depending on the size of the peppers, the amount of filling, and personal preference.
When they are done, carefully remove the jalapeño poppers from the air fryer using tongs. Let them cool for 1-2 minutes, then enjoy!
Storage Tips
Store any leftover jalapeño poppers in a sealed container in the fridge. They will keep for up to 2 to 3 days and can be reheated in the air fryer.
We don’t recommend reheating them in the microwave as this can make them soggy.
Related Recipes
If you enjoyed these homemade jalapeño poppers, here are some other homemade appetizer recipes you can try:
- Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Balls
- Crispy Air Fryer Gnocchi
- Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp (Homemade)
- Air Fried Salmon Bites
- Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms
- Homemade Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers (Homemade)
Ingredients
- 4 jalapeño peppers
- ¼ cup cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons cheddar cheese, finely shredded
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs
- 4 strips of bacon, regular-cut; optional
Instructions
- Rinse the 4 jalapeño peppers. Cut them in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and white veins. You can keep the stem or remove them depending on your preference.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ¼ cup cream cheese, 2 tablespoons cheddar cheese (shredded), ½ teaspoon garlic powder,½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Using a knife, fill the jalapeño halves with the cream cheese mixture.
- Dip the cheese-filled side of each pepper into the 2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs and press down gently. Set the peppers aside.
- On a cutting board, slice 4 strips of bacon lengthwise.
- Wrap one bacon strip around the middle of each stuffed jalapeño, securing the bacon ends with a toothpick.
- Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
- When the air fryer is hot, add the peppers to the air fryer in one even layer, leaving space between them.
- Cook the homemade jalapeño poppers at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 7-9 minutes, or until the peppers are soft, the cheese filling is bubbling, and the breadcrumbs are golden brown. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the peppers, the amount of filling, and personal preference.
- When done, carefully remove the jalapeño poppers from the air fryer using tongs. Let them cool for 1-2 minutes (the filling will be very hot), then serve them as is or with a dipping sauce like marinara.
Video
Notes
- Wear gloves or thoroughly wash your hands after handling the insides of the peppers.
- Make sure the cream cheese is soft, otherwise it will be difficult to mix.
- You can soak the toothpicks in water before using them to secure the bacon.
- The amount of filling you need may vary depending on the size of the peppers. If you don’t have enough filling, you can add some extra grated cheddar cheese.
- Avoid overfilling the pepper halves. Excess filling may bubble out and make a mess in the air fryer.
- The bacon is optional. Use regular-cut bacon, not thick-cut.
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
