Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers (Printable)

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

# What You Need:

→ 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:

01 - Set air fryer to 375°F and preheat for 5 minutes.
02 - Wash jalapeños thoroughly. Slice each in half lengthwise and carefully remove seeds and membranes using a spoon. Wear gloves if sensitive to spice.
03 - Combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped chives, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt in a bowl. Mix until smooth and well combined.
04 - Spoon cheese mixture into each jalapeño half, mounding slightly above the surface.
05 - Mix breadcrumbs with olive oil in a small bowl. Sprinkle or press the breadcrumb mixture evenly onto the tops of the filled jalapeños.
06 - Place poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
07 - Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until the breadcrumb topping is golden brown and the jalapeños are tender.
08 - Remove from air fryer. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon if desired. Serve warm with ranch or sour cream dip.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They taste indulgent but come together in less time than it takes to order takeout.
  • The air fryer gives you that crispy-edged crunch without the mess of deep frying.
  • You can dial the heat up or down depending on who you are feeding.
  • They are naturally gluten-free if you swap the breadcrumbs, so everyone at the table can enjoy them.
02 -
  • If you skip preheating the air fryer, the poppers will cook unevenly and the bottoms may stay pale and soft.
  • Removing all the seeds and membranes is crucial unless you want your guests breathing fire.
  • Softening the cream cheese fully prevents lumps that make the filling look curdled instead of creamy.
  • Do not skip the olive oil in the breadcrumbs or they will stay sandy and bland instead of turning golden and crisp.
03 -
  • Use a small spoon or a grapefruit spoon to scoop out the seeds cleanly without tearing the pepper walls.
  • If your cream cheese is still cold, microwave it for ten to fifteen seconds to make mixing effortless.
  • Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper (with holes) to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
  • For extra crispy tops, give the breadcrumbs a light spray of cooking oil halfway through the cook time.
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