Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers (Printer-friendly)

Crispy jalapeños stuffed with creamy cheese and air-fried until golden. Ready in 25 minutes for a perfect appetizer.

# 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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for 5 minutes.
02 - Wash the 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 the poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if needed.
07 - Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes until the tops are golden and the jalapeños are tender.
08 - If desired, sprinkle with crumbled bacon immediately after cooking. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They taste indulgent and restaurant-quality but come together faster than ordering takeout.
  • The air fryer does the heavy lifting, giving you golden, crispy edges without any oil splatters on your stovetop.
  • Vegetarian-friendly but still so satisfying that meat-eaters won't notice what's missing.
02 -
  • Don't skip removing the seeds and membranes—it's tedious but necessary, because those white parts are where the intense capsaicin lives, and if you leave them in, your poppers become a heat experience rather than a balanced appetizer.
  • Make sure the cream cheese is actually softened before mixing, because cold cream cheese won't combine smoothly and you'll get a lumpy filling that doesn't spread evenly into the peppers.
03 -
  • If poppers start cooking faster than expected, it usually means your air fryer runs hot—check them at 7 minutes and note the timing for next time.
  • Leave a few seeds in some jalapeños if you want extra heat, but do this intentionally rather than by accident so guests know what they're in for.
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