Enjoy crispy and cheesy Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers with this easy recipe!
This spicy snack is a delicious blend of shredded cheddar, cream cheese, spicy jalapeños, and crispy bacon, all coated in a golden panko crust then cooked to perfection in the air fryer.
Find even more delicious and easy to make air fryer appetizers that will make cooking a breeze and become your new favorites!
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Recipe at a Glance
Prep: 15 min | Cook/Bake: 10 min | Difficulty: Easy
What it is: Creamy, cheesy jalapeño poppers made in the air fryer with fresh peppers, a rich cream cheese filling, and a lightly crisped exterior.
Why you’ll love it: They cook fast, come out perfectly melty and golden, and always disappear first at parties and game-day gatherings.
How to make it: Fill halved jalapeños with a seasoned cream cheese mixture, arrange in the air fryer basket, and cook until hot, bubbly, and lightly browned.
Looking for more Air Fryer Snack Recipes? Try my Veggie Wontons, BBQ Chicken Wrapped in Bacon, Air Fryer Chicken Wings and even my Mini Ravioli. Yum!
Table of Contents
- Recipe at a Glance
- Air Frying Tips for Appetizers
- Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Quick Tip
- Air Frying Instructions
- Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- Recipe FAQ's
- Storage and Reheating Instructions
- More Appetizer Recipes You'll Love!
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Air Frying Tips for Appetizers
- If you prefer milder poppers, remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeños thoroughly. For extra heat, leave some seeds in or add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the cheese mixture.
- Make sure to freeze the bites at least an hour before air frying so they'll maintain their shape and coating. If they start to thaw, they may become messy or lose their crispiness.
- Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the bites in batches. Avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure they cook evenly and become crispy.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Cuisinart Air Fryer Oven – 6-Qt Basket Stainless Steel Air Fryer – Dishwasher-Safe Parts with 5 Presets – Roast, Bake, Broil, Air Fry and Keep Warm – Quick & Easy Meals – AIR-200
Air Fryer Liners Disposable Paper, 150 PCS Non-stick Parchment Paper, Air Fryer Disposable Liners For 5-8QT Air fryer, Oil-proof 8 Inch Airfryer Paper for Frying, Baking, Roasting Microwave (Square)Norpro Stainless Steel Scoop, 25MM (.5 Tablespoon)
Main Ingredients Needed
Below is a quick preview of the ingredients you’ll need. For exact amounts, check the recipe card below. You can also use the "Shopping List button" to create a printable shopping list, or the "Get Ingredients button" in the recipe card to order groceries online.
Substitutions and Variations
For different cheese flavors: Use shredded cheddar, pepper jack, or a Mexican-blend cheese in place of or mixed with the cream cheese.
For a milder version: Replace jalapeños with mini sweet peppers for a kid-friendly option.
For added savory flavor: Add cooked, crumbled bacon to the filling before stuffing the peppers
For flavor boosts: Stir in ranch seasoning, garlic powder, or Everything Bagel seasoning to change the seasoning profile.
For a crispy upgrade: Wrap each stuffed pepper with a strip of bacon before air frying.
Step-by-Step Instructions
This section includes step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the recipe. For the complete printable version, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Step 1: Add shredded cheese, cream cheese, jalapeños, bacon, and garlic to a mixing bowl.
Step 2: Mix until well combined.
Quick Tip
Use a cookie scoop to help portion the the poppers into evenly sized balls.
Not sure what size cookie scoop to use? Grab my FREE Cookie Scoop Size Cheat Sheet and yes, it works for savory recipes too!
Step 3: Scoop out 18 portions and roll them into balls. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze for an hour.
Step 4: Set up a breading station of flour mixed with cornstarch and seasonings in one dish, beaten eggs in another, and panko in the last dish. Coat one bite in the flour mixture, then egg, then panko.
Air Frying Instructions
Step 5: Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray, add the poppers and spray them with cooking spray, too.
Step 6: Air fry at 340°F for 7 minutes or until golden brown. Keep the jalapeños poppers in the freezer until ready to cook.
Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
✔️ DO bring the cream cheese to room temperature before mixing so the filling is smooth and easy to pipe or spread.
❌ DO NOT overcrowd the air fryer basket, or the poppers will steam instead of turning lightly crisp.
Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
Yes, you can prepare the poppers up to the freezing step and store them in the freezer. Once they are frozen, transfer them to a freezer safe airtight container or zip top bag for up to 3 months. When ready to cook, follow the instructions after freezing the balls of cheese mixture.
Yes, you can bake them in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 15-20 minutes or until golden and crispy. Adjust the cooking time as needed based on your oven.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Refrigerate: Store leftover poppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Prepare the poppers up to the freezing step and store them in the freezer in a freezer safe airtight container or zip top bag for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, add the breading and air fry.
Reheat: For best results, reheat cooked poppers in the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp up the coating.
More Appetizer Recipes You'll Love!
- Check out my Pizza Dipping Sauce and Ranch Dipping Sauce to use for "dipping" these crispy poppers!
- Or you might enjoy this recipe for Puff Pastry Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels or Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
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📖 Recipe Card
Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 3 jalapenos seeds removed, diced
- 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 eggs room temperature
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Method
- In a large bowl, mix shredded cheese, cream cheese, jalapeños, bacon, and garlic. Scoop out 18 portions, roll into balls, and freeze for 1 hour.
- Whisk eggs in one bowl. In another, combine flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Place panko in a third bowl.
- Remove bites from the freezer. Coat each in flour mixture, then egg, then panko. Freeze for 20 minutes.
- Preheat air fryer to 340°F. Spray with cooking spray. Work in batches, spraying bites with cooking spray and cooking for 7 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Store uncooked bites in the freezer until ready to cook.
- Let cooked bites cool slightly before enjoying with your favorite dipping sauce (ranch or blue cheese are great options!).
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