Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers (Print Version)

Crispy jalapeños stuffed with creamy cheese filling, air-fried until golden. Perfect appetizer in 25 minutes.

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

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • You get all the crispy, cheesy satisfaction of fried poppers without the mess or heavy oil.
  • The filling is tangy and creamy with just enough garlic and chive to make every bite interesting.
  • They cook so fast you can make a second batch before anyone notices the first disappeared.
02 -
  • Don't skip preheating the air fryer or the tops won't brown evenly and the cook time will be unpredictable.
  • If the cream cheese is cold, it won't blend smoothly and you'll end up with a lumpy filling that's hard to spread.
  • Leaving too many seeds in the jalapeños can make them painfully hot, especially for people who aren't used to spice.
03 -
  • Mix a tablespoon of the oil from the breadcrumbs into the filling for an even richer, creamier texture.
  • If your air fryer has hot spots, rotate the basket halfway through cooking so everything browns evenly.
  • For a smoky twist, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the filling or the breadcrumb mixture.
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