Cheesy air fryer jalapeno poppers up the game when it comes to party appetizers. These bite-sized spice bombs are stuffed with cream cheese, green onions, cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and an optional crispy breadcrumb topping!
Why this recipe works
Air fryer jalapeno poppers are hands down one of our favorite game day appetizers, but they work for any kind of get-together. They’re super simple to prep, full of cheesy bacon-packed flavor, and cook up in the air fryer in no time.
If you don’t have an air fryer, don’t worry, you can also bake these. Hop on over to our jalapeno poppers recipe for complete instructions. Either way you make them, they’ll fly off the plate.
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
JALAPENOS – A grapefruit spoon works well to scrape out the seeds and ribbing from the jalapenos. It’s best to handle the jalapenos as little as possible with your hands as the oils can irritate your skin. You can use vinyl gloves when scooping or handling jalapenos to avoid this. Use medium to large jalapenos so that there is a nice area to fill. Smaller jalapenos end up being fairly flat once you’ve sliced them in half and scooped out the seeds. Leave the rib of the jalapeno intact if you like them to be extra spicy.
CHEESE – You can use your favorite combination or flavor of shredded cheese. Pepperjack, sharp cheddar, medium cheddar, Mexican 4-cheese, and Colby Jack are all great options. For the cream cheese, I recommend allowing it to sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes to soften before beginning.
BACON – We can show you how to cook bacon in the oven or make air fryer bacon. Otherwise, you can cook it on a skillet or opt for precooked bacon that just needs to be warmed up.
How to Make Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese, pepper, garlic salt, 2 tablespoons of the sliced green onions, cheese, and about 1⁄2 cup of the crumbled bacon.
- Rinse jalapenos and pat dry. Slice peppers in half lengthwise. Use a spoon or gloved fingers to scoop out the seeds and ribbing from the peppers.
EXPERT TIP – If you like your poppers extra spicy, leave some of the ribbing intact. - Use a small spoon to scoop the cheese mixture into each pepper half.
- Place stuffed jalapenos in a single layer into the basket of an air fryer. Allow some space between each pepper. You will probably need to cook the peppers in a few batches, depending on their size.
- Sprinkle a bit of the breadcrumbs over the tops of each pepper (this is easier to do once they’re in the air fryer basket so that the breadcrumbs don’t fall off when moving the peppers into the basket.
- Spray the tops of the peppers liberally with non-stick cooking spray.
- Bake at 380°F for 5-7 minutes, until the tops of the poppers are golden brown.
- Leave the peppers to sit in the air fryer basket for a minute or two before transferring to a platter. Garnish with additional green onions and crumbled bacon. Serve warm with ranch dressing.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
No, you do not need to preheat your air fryer, but after you’ve cooked the first batch, subsequent batches may cook up more quickly so keep an eye on them!
Absolutely. You can prepare the jalapenos with the filling a day in advance and store them in an air-tight container until you are ready to air fry them. This saves you some time and clean up the day of serving!
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Jalapeno poppers can be reheated in the microwave, oven, or air fryer.
Serving Suggestions
Serve air fryer jalapeno poppers on a platter with dipping sauces like blue cheese or ranch. Optionally garnish with extra crumbled bacon and green onions.
More Appetizer Recipes
- Pigs in a Blanket
- Jalapeno Popper Dip
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Air Fryer Jalapeno Fries
- Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs
I love to bake and cook and share my kitchen experience with all of you! Remembering to come back each day can be tough, that’s why I offer a convenient newsletter every time a new recipe posts. Simply subscribe and start receiving your free daily recipes!
Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- 2 green onions sliced, about 3 Tablespoons
- 1 cup finely grated medium cheddar cheese
- ½ pound bacon cooked and crumbled
- 12 jalapeno peppers
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs optional
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
- The filling is thick and will fill about 12 jalapenos (24 halves total). Use medium to large jalapenos so that there is a nice area to fill. Smaller jalapenos end up being fairly flat once you’ve sliced them in half and scooped out the seeds.
- 5 minutes cook time was plenty for small-medium jalapenos. Open the air fryer basket and peek to check doneness of the jalapenos. Larger jalapenos might need up to 7 minutes. If they cook too long, the cheeses may start to ooze out of the sides.
- You don’t need to preheat your air fryer, but after you’ve cooked the first batch, subsequent batches may cook up more quickly.
- A grapefruit spoon works well to scrape out the seeds and ribbing from the jalapenos. It’s best to handle the jalapenos as little as possible with your hands as the oils can irritate your skin.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Jalapeno poppers can be reheated in the microwave, oven, or air fryer.
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese, pepper, garlic salt, 2 tablespoons of the sliced green onions, cheese, and about 1⁄2 cup of the crumbled bacon.
- Rinse jalapenos and pat dry. Slice peppers in half lengthwise. Use a spoon or gloved fingers to scoop out the seeds and ribbing from the peppers.
- Use a small spoon to scoop the cheese mixture into each pepper half.
- Place stuffed jalapenos in a single layer into the basket of an air fryer. Allow some space between each pepper. You will probably need to cook the peppers in a few batches, depending on their size.
- Sprinkle a bit of the breadcrumbs over the tops of each pepper (this is easier to do once they’re in the air fryer basket so that the breadcrumbs don’t fall off when moving the peppers into the basket.
- Spray the tops of the peppers liberally with non-stick cooking spray.
- Bake at 380°F for 5-7 minutes, until the tops of the poppers are golden brown.
- Leave the peppers to sit in the air fryer basket for a minute or two before transferring to a platter.
- Garnish with additional green onions and crumbled bacon. Serve warm with ranch dressing.
Nutrition
Lindsay Formaro
Latest posts by Lindsay Formaro (see all)
- Mini Candy Corn Cheesecakes - October 3, 2024
- Cake Mix Cookie Bars - August 8, 2024
- Lasagna Soup - February 26, 2024
Gail Lee says
tried them and enjoyed. only made a few for lunch going to try them with well cooked hamburger with the bacon.
thank you
Karen says
Recipe looks delicious but I do not have a air fryer. Are you able to bake in the oven?