You'll love this deliciously cheesy air fryer jalapeno poppers, filled with cream cheese and wrapped in crispy bacon. Perfect for game day appetizers in just 10 minutes!
Game day snacks shouldn't keep you stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is enjoying the action. That's why air fryer jalapeño poppers are my go-to for serving hot, crispy appetizers without the hassle.
In fact, if it’s game day, most of our snacks come straight from the air fryer— like my air fryer zucchini fritters. It’s just that easy! With hardly any effort, I can whip up poppers that taste just as good as anything you'd order, making delivery a second option. We also love this parmesan crusted spinahc dip recipe for game-day celebrations.
With the help of the air fryer, these stuffed peppers transform into perfectly crispy bites with a golden brown bacon crust on top, and melty cheese inside. They're good enough to rival any bar, and no one will guess they're low carb, either!
The jalapeños mellow out just enough during cooking. The combination of cream cheese and cheddar balance everything together, making every bite just as enjoyable as the game.
The hands-off cooking is the main selling point of this recipe. Pop them in for a few minutes and you're free to catch the game instead of watching over a deep fryer. I often prep a double batch before guests arrive, then cook them in waves throughout the party so there's always a hot batch ready to go.
I started making these when we hosted a Big Game watch party last year, and now they're the most requested snack at home. Even my friends who aren't the biggest fans of spice love them, the air fryer helps tame the heat while keeping all the flavor.
If you need a quick snack for watching the Big Game, these poppers are a great choice. And as a host, it’s always a win to serve something everyone loves without spending the whole time in the kitchen.
Ingredients
- Medium jalapeños - serve as the main ingredient, giving a spicy kick and a flavorful base for the dish.
- Cream cheese - adds a creamy texture and richness, helping to balance the heat of the jalapeños.
- Shredded cheddar cheese - contributes a sharp, cheesy flavor that complements the cream cheese.
- Garlic powder - adds depth without the need for fresh garlic.
- Smoked paprika - gives a subtle smokiness.
- Thin-cut bacon - adds a crispy texture and salty flavor, making the jalapeño poppers even more delicious.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Step-by-step Instructions
If you're in the mood for a flavorful and fun appetizer, these air fryer jalapeño poppers are a fantastic choice! With a creamy cheese filling wrapped in crispy bacon, they're sure to be a hit anywhere you prepare it. Just follow the simple steps below to make your own delicious poppers!
Prepare the Jalapeños
Start by cutting the jalapeños in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to carefully scoop out the seeds and membranes from each half. This step is important because the seeds and membranes contain most of the heat. If you prefer milder poppers, make sure to remove all the seeds and membranes. However, if you enjoy spicier poppers, you can leave some seeds or membranes intact.
Make the Cheese Filling
In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Use a fork or a spatula to mix the ingredients together until they are well combined and smooth. This cheese mixture will be the filling for your jalapeños.
Stuff the Jalapeños
Take the cheese mixture and spoon it into each jalapeño half. Fill each half to the top, but be careful not to overflow the filling. The cheese will expand slightly as it cooks, so a generous but controlled amount is ideal.
Wrap with Bacon
Next, take each slice of bacon and cut it in half. Wrap a half slice of bacon around each stuffed jalapeño, making sure to cover the filling completely. The bacon will add flavor and a crispy texture once cooked.
Preheat the Air Fryer
Before cooking, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Preheating ensures that the jalapeño poppers cook evenly and the bacon crisps up nicely.
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Cook the Jalapeño Poppers
Place the wrapped jalapeños in the air fryer basket. Make sure to leave space between each popper to allow for proper air circulation, which helps them cook evenly. Cook the poppers for 6-8 minutes, checking at the 6-minute mark. Continue cooking until the bacon is crispy and the cheese is bubbly. Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model, so keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
Remove and Cool
Once the poppers are done cooking, carefully remove them from the air fryer using tongs. Let them cool for about 2-3 minutes before serving. This cooling period allows the filling to set slightly and makes them easier to handle.
Repeat if Necessary
If you have more jalapeños to cook, you can repeat the process with the remaining poppers. Be sure to cook them in batches if needed to maintain proper air circulation in the air fryer.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the jalapeño poppers with your choice of dipping sauces, such as ranch, blue cheese, or smoky chipotle mayo. These sauces complement the flavors of the poppers and add an extra layer of taste. Enjoy your air fryer jalapeño poppers!
Storage
To save time, you can assemble the jalapeño poppers up to 24 hours in advance and store them in the refrigerator until you're ready to air fry them. Simply cover the assembled poppers with plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container.
For longer storage, freeze the assembled but uncooked poppers on a baking sheet in a single layer. Once they are frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer bag, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. When you're ready to cook them from frozen, just add an additional 1-2 minutes to the cooking time to ensure they are heated through and crispy.
If you have any leftover cooked jalapeño poppers, allow them to cool to room temperature before storing. Place the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the poppers in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 3-5 minutes or until heated through and crispy again. Enjoy your poppers whenever you're ready!
Top Tips
Choose the right jalapeños: When selecting jalapeños, look for medium-sized peppers that are firm and have smooth skin. This size is ideal for stuffing and ensures they hold their shape during cooking. If you prefer milder poppers, select larger jalapeños, as they tend to have fewer seeds and membranes.
Customize the filling: Feel free to get creative with the cheese filling. You can mix different types of cheese, such as cream cheese, pepper jack, or mozzarella, to add variety and flavor. Additionally, consider adding cooked sausage or diced vegetables for extra texture and taste.
Make a big batch: Prepare extra poppers to keep on hand for quick snacks. You can assemble the poppers and store most of them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before air frying. Alternatively, freeze the uncooked poppers for future use, allowing you to have a quick and delicious appetizer ready whenever you want. Just add a couple of minutes to the cooking time when preparing from frozen.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
Air fryer jalapeño poppers are a great addition to any game day spread, and they go even better with a variety of other crispy, cheesy, and dippable bites. For something cheesy and crispy, homemade pepperoni pizza rolls are a great choice, packing all the flavor of pizza into bite-sized rolls. If you’re looking for something with a heartier bite, cast iron deep dish pepperoni pizza brings layers of cheese, sauce, and crispy crust to the table.
For a mix of textures and flavors, vegetarian seven layer dip is a colorful, creamy, and crunchy option, and it's easy to customize with meat if you prefer. If chips and dip are a must, longhorn steakhouse parmesan crusted dip brings a rich, cheesy layer with spinach for balance. For even more crunch, easy ground beef nachos keep things simple yet satisfying. And, of course, no game day is complete without wings—air fryer chicken wings come out crispy and well-seasoned without the hassle of deep frying. If you love cheese-filled bites, air fryer cheese bites bring that melty, crispy contrast that pairs well with jalapeño poppers. With a mix of crunchy, cheesy, and dippable snacks, your spread will be ready for kickoff.
Recipe
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Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 medium jalapeños
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 12 slices bacon thin cut
Instructions
- Cut jalapeños in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to remove seeds and membranes.
- In a bowl, mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and paprika until well combined.
- Spoon cheese mixture into each jalapeño half, filling to the top but not overflowing.
- Cut each bacon slice in half. Wrap a half slice around each stuffed jalapeño.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Place wrapped jalapeños in air fryer basket, leaving space between each for air circulation.
- Cook for 6-8 minutes. Check at 6 minutes and continue cooking until bacon is crispy and cheese is bubbly.
- Remove carefully with tongs. Let cool for 2-3 minutes before serving.
- Repeat with remaining poppers if cooking in batches.
- Choose medium-sized jalapeños that are large enough to hold filling but small enough for a single bite.
- For milder poppers, thoroughly remove all seeds and white membranes, as these contain most of the heat.
- If you prefer spicier poppers, leave some seeds or membranes intact.
- Cook poppers in batches if needed to ensure proper air circulation, which helps crisp the bacon evenly.
- Air fryer cooking times may vary by model. Begin checking the poppers at 6 minutes to prevent burning the bacon or overcooking the cheese filling.
- Serve with dipping sauces such as ranch, blue cheese, or smoky chipotle mayo.
