Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers (Printable Version)

Crispy jalapeños stuffed with creamy cheese filling, air-fried until golden. An irresistible appetizer with heat!

# 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 Make It:

01 - Preheat air fryer to 375°F 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 - In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped chives, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Mix until smooth and well combined.
04 - Fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture, mounding slightly at the top.
05 - In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs with olive oil until evenly moistened. Sprinkle or press the breadcrumb mixture onto the tops of filled jalapeños.
06 - Arrange poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary.
07 - Air fry at 375°F for 8-10 minutes until 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 Tips:

01 -
  • They cook in ten minutes flat, which means you can pull together an appetizer between stirring pasta and setting the table.
  • The air fryer gives you that deep golden crust without any oil splatter or oven preheat wait.
  • You control the heat level completely by how much you scrape out the ribs and seeds.
  • They taste indulgent and party-ready but come together with just a bowl and a spoon.
02 -
  • Softening the cream cheese completely is non-negotiable, or you'll end up with a lumpy filling that won't pipe or spread smoothly.
  • Don't skip the oil in the breadcrumbs, it's what makes them turn crispy and golden instead of pale and dusty.
  • If your jalapeños are very large, increase the cook time by a minute or two so they soften all the way through.
03 -
  • Use a small spoon or a grapefruit spoon with a serrated edge to scoop out the seeds cleanly without tearing the pepper walls.
  • If your air fryer runs hot, start checking at 7 minutes to avoid burning the breadcrumbs before the peppers soften.
  • For a smokier flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the cheese filling, it's subtle but makes a real difference.
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