Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers (Print version)

Crispy jalapeños stuffed with creamy cheese filling, air-fried to golden perfection in just 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 thoroughly. 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, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped chives, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Mix until smooth and creamy.
04 - Fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture, mounding slightly for a generous portion.
05 - In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs with olive oil. Sprinkle or press the mixture onto the tops of filled jalapeños.
06 - Arrange poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
07 - Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes until the tops are golden brown and jalapeños are tender.
08 - Remove from air fryer. If desired, sprinkle with crumbled bacon immediately after cooking. Serve warm with ranch or sour cream dip.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They come together in under half an hour, which means you can decide to make them on a whim and still have time to clean up before guests arrive.
  • The air fryer gives you that deep-fried crunch without the mess or the guilt, and the filling stays creamy while the tops turn beautifully golden.
02 -
  • Remove as many seeds and membranes as you can unless you really love heat, I left them in once and my cousin couldn't finish a single popper without reaching for water.
  • Don't skip softening the cream cheese, I tried mixing it straight from the fridge and ended up with a lumpy filling that wouldn't spread evenly no matter how long I stirred.
03 -
  • Press the breadcrumb mixture onto the filling firmly so it stays put during cooking, loose crumbs will blow around in the air fryer and burn.
  • If your jalapeños are small or uneven, slice a tiny bit off the bottom so they sit flat in the basket and don't tip over while cooking.
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