Warm, cheesy dip stuffed into jalapenos and topped with buttery bread crumbs—Air-Fried Jalapeno Poppers are the ultimate indulgent appetizer!
Forget the mess of deep-frying and create the best-ever recipe for crispy, creamy, EASY Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers! Made from fresh jalapenos, cream cheese, cheddar, buttered bread crumbs, and seasonings, jalapeno poppers are one of the most popular finger foods ever!
The Perfect App for All Your Parties!
Jalapeno Poppers always seem to show up at tailgating events and football parties, but they can also be a game changer for your holiday get-togethers!
These mouthwatering bites of bliss have all the tastes and textures that make them a perennial appetizer favorite! They’re lightly spicy, buttery, crunchy, and loaded with a creamy cheese dip! And THIS recipe gives you crispy perfection in just 6-8 minutes in the air fryer with no muss and no fuss!
Serve these with everything from traditional game-day Buffalo wings to Christmas holiday apps, like this Grilled Shrimp with Cranberry Salsa!
Other Recipes to Serve with Recipe Title
- Yummy Cowboy Nacho Bites – you can’t eat just one!
- Five ingredients to Crispy Baked Buffalo Wings – they’re an American classic for a reason!
Ingredients
Peppers: Fresh green jalapenos, deseeded, make the perfect “dip boat” for these poppers!
Cheese: Softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar combine beautifully for the warm, creamy filling!
Seasoning: To give the dip an even more wonderful flavor, use a clove of garlic, a sliced green onion, some smoked paprika, and a little salt and pepper.
Topping: For the crispy topping, mix bread crumbs and parsley with melted butter – YUM!
How to Make Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
STEP ONE: Slice the peppers in half longways and use a spoon to remove all the seeds. Be sure to wear gloves or be extra careful not to touch your face, and wash your hands immediately afterward!
STEP TWO: In a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, sliced green onion, diced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Combine the melted butter with the bread crumbs and chopped parsley in a second small bowl.
STEP THREE: Stuff each jalapeno half with the cream cheese filling, then dip it (upside down) into the cracker crumb topping.
STEP FOUR: Place each popper in the air fryer basket in a single layer. It’s okay if they touch; you want them to be as stable as possible. Cook at 390 degrees F for 6-8 minutes until the topping is slightly golden brown.
Tips for Success
- Adjust the filling to your taste! You can add bacon bits to the cheese filling or more spice by leaving the jalapeno pepper seeds in the filling—it’s up to you! You can also sprinkle some cooked and crumbled bacon on top of the poppers after they’re cooked.
- Always wear gloves when cutting and removing the jalapeno seeds, and don’t touch your face until you wash your hands!
- Serve jalapeno poppers with BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or a fruity jam dipping sauce. I’ve even been known to dip them in pepper jelly.
- Arrange the poppers in the air fryer so they are as stable as possible. You don’t want them “blowing over” and the cream cheesy dip spilling out!
How Do You Make Jalapeno Poppers?
Traditionally, jalapeno poppers have been fully breaded and deep-fried in oil. This makes them golden brown and crispy, delicious! (Of course, it also makes them messy and time-consuming!)
Jalapeno poppers can also be bacon-wrapped and grilled or baked in a 400-degree oven for about 20 minutes. The bacon gets super crispy and replaces the breading.
The newest and easiest way to make jalapeno poppers is in the air fryer! The peppers are topped with buttered breadcrumbs and air-fried to the perfect crispy consistency.
How Should I Store Leftover Jalapeno Poppers?
Leftover poppers will be kept easily in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days if sealed in an air-tight container. Some sites will suggest ways to freeze jalapeno poppers, but we don’t recommend it. The consistency of the pepper changes once frozen, and the result can be soggy or mealy.
Other Jalapeno Popper Appetizer Recipes!
- Jalapeno Popper Cups
- Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Chicken
- Bacon Jalapeno Popper Quiche
- Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Mushrooms
- Bacon Jalapeno Popper Dip
- Jalapeno Popper Quesadillas
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 medium-sized jalapenos
Filling
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 green onion thinly sliced (only the green part)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt & pepper to taste
Topping
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
- Cut the jalapenos in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds and membrane with a small spoon. (You can wear gloves to do this. Otherwise, wash your hands really well afterward.)
- Mix the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic, green onion, and paprika together in a medium mixing bowl to make the filling. Do a taste check and add salt and pepper as desired. In a small mixing bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs, melted butter, and parsley until evenly moistened to make the topping.
- Fill each jalapeno half with the cream cheese mixture. Then, dip the filling side of each popper into the topping so that it's completely coated.
- Arrange the jalapeno poppers in the basket of your air fryer so that the filled side faces up. It's okay if they're touching. You don't want them to tip over, and having them touch can make things more stable.
- Cook at 390 degrees F for 6-8 minutes or until the filling is bubbly and the topping is starting to turn golden brown.
- Use tongs to carefully remove the poppers from the air fryer. Serve warm or room temperature with ranch dressing for dipping, if desired.
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