These air fryer jalapeño poppers are so easy to make! They're stuffed with a mix of cheeses and wrapped in bacon. They crisp up perfectly in the air fryer and are always a party favorite!
Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
Jalapeño poppers are the ultimate stuffed pepper finger food, perfect for parties and gatherings. They're super easy to make and always disappear quickly. You might want to make a double batch.
This particular recipe uses the air fryer, which I've been using a lot lately. It really works wonders! These bacon wrapped air fryer jalapeño poppers are so crispy and gooey with a cream cheese filling, and they whip up fast!
You'll be done cooking in under 15 minutes once they're stuffed, wrapped and ready to go. I love that! Bring these to a party and everyone will love you. Guaranteed!
Jalapeño Poppers in Air Fryer Ingredients
- Jalapeño Peppers - You gotta have jalapeños to make jalapeño poppers, right?
- Cheeses - I'm using a mix of full fat cream cheese and sharp cheddar cheese, though you can use other cheeses to your preference. Use good melty cheeses.
- Seasonings - I'm using a mixture of cayenne, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper, though you can vary it up. Try it with taco seasonings.
- Bacon - Yes! I love bacon, though you can skip the bacon if desired.
How to Make Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
Prep. Preheat air fryer to 350°F.
Core the peppers. Slice the jalapeños in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and insides with a spoon. Remove all the seeds and membranes to core out the jalapeño poppers.
Make the cheesy stuffing. Add the cream cheese, cheddar cheese and seasonings to a bowl and mix well.
Stuff the jalapeños. Scoop out the cream cheese cheddar cheese and fill each jalapeno pepper half with the spicy cheese mixture. You might have some leftover, depending on the size of your peppers. Just distribute evenly.
Wrap with bacon. Wrap each stuffed jalapeno boat with a slice of bacon. Pierce with toothpicks to hold the bacon in place, if needed.
Air Fry the jalapeño poppers. Working in batches, air fry the jalapeño poppers for 10-12 minutes, or until bacon crisps up to your preference. You may need to do this in batches, depending on your air fryer brand. Cook time can vary, so check them after 10 minutes, and up to 15 minutes or longer.
Serve! Remove from heat, cool slightly, and serve.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- The bacon. You can cut back on calories and save ingredients by using only 1/2 a bacon slice per popper. You may need toothpicks to hold them in place, but it is an option.
- The cheeses. Cream cheese and cheddar are an ideal combo for stuffing, as the mixture gets nice and melty soft inside without oozing too much. You can definitely use other cheeses to completely change the recipe. Try goat cheese or feta cheese, which are creamier, along with your favorite melty cheese, like pepper jack or colby.
- Seasonings. You can use whatever seasonings you prefer when making jalapeno poppers. I love to keep it simple with cayenne, paprika and garlic, plus salt and pepper, but use your favorites. Consider taco seasonings, Cajun seasonings, Creole seasonings, sazon, or others.
How spicy are jalapeño poppers?
Jalapeño poppers lose most of the heat when you core out the jalapeño innards. For spicier poppers, chop up those innards and mix them back into the cheese mixture. Makes them nice and spicy! I love them this way.
Storage and Reheating
Once cooled to room temperature, you can store your air fryer jalapeño poppers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. I recommend popping them right back in the air fryer to reheat! That way, you maintain that awesome crispy consistency on the bacon.
More Popular Jalapeño Popper Recipes
- Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
- Grilled Jalapeno Poppers
- Four Cheese Jalapeno Poppers
- Baked Cream Cheese Jalapeno Poppers
- Smoked Jalapeno Poppers
- Pimento Cheese Jalapeno Poppers
- Check Out More Jalapeno Poppers Recipes
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 jalapeno peppers
- 5 ounces cream cheese softened
- 5 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon preferred seasonings I use a mix of cayenne, paprika and garlic - try taco seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 20 slices bacon thin cut
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees F.
- Slice the jalapeno peppers in half lengthwise and scoop out the insides with a spoon.
- Add the cream cheese, cheddar cheese and seasonings to a bowl and mix well.
- Fill each jalapeno pepper half with the spicy cheese mixture. You might have some leftover, depending on the size of your peppers. Just distribute evenly.
- Wrap each stuffed jalapeno boat with a slice of bacon. Pierce with toothpicks to hold the bacon in place, if needed.
- Air fry the jalapeno poppers for 10-12 minutes, or until bacon crisps up to your preference. You may need to do this in batches, depending on your air fryer brand.
- Remove from heat, cool slightly, and serve.
Nutrition Information
Maria says
Hi, bynow I have tried so many of your recipes and each were fantastic!
With a couple of vegans now in the family, I wondered whether you have a comparable recipe for jalapeño poppers, with or without air fryer.
Thank you
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Maria. I have a number of recipes you can adapt for vegan. Check out my Jalapeno Poppers Recipes collection: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/chili-pepper-recipes/jalapeno-poppers-recipes/
Ronda says
Can I use the pre-cooked bacon for this recipe?
Mike Hultquist says
Ronda, you can use it for a version with crumbled bacon mixed into the filling, but it won't work with the bacon wrapped version, as the bacon is already cooked and will probably be overdone with the cooking time needed, plus I don't think it will wrap around the jalapeno properly.
Alex says
Awesome recipe! I got lazy with the spices and just used Tanjin. Came out great. Another homerun for Mike.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Great!! Glad you enjoyed it, Alex!
pashtx says
I make these all the time on the grill and in the oven. Definitely gonna try the air fryer next. Thanks!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Yes! I usually grill them, but DANG are they awesome in the air fryer!
Jack Jackson says
I assemble as you describe, thein I roll them in brown sugar and chili seasoning combo. Good stuff.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Boom! I love that, Jack. Very nice. Must try!
Michael W Wagner says
I made these and delicious. But I seasoned the bacon with brown sugar, cayenne pepper and then wrapped around jalapeños. Delicious and spicy sweet.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Perfection! I'll take some, Michael!
April green says
I don’t have n air fryer can I make these in traditional oven?
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
April, absolutely. I have a recipe for that right here - Baked Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/recipes/bacon-wrapped-jalapeno-poppers/. Enjoy!
Duane says
Great recipe Mike. I have been making these exactly like you do them for along time except I grill or smoke them. Using the peppers cut in half gives you more bacon to pepper ratio.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Duane! I know, I LOVE these. I do prefer them cut in half for the same reason. I appreciate it!
Fuking says
Try using a good quality sharp and salty Greek Feta, stays in place rather than oozing out!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
You can use feta, though it doesn't get as melty. I prefer a nice melty cheese, but go for it!