Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers (Printable Version)

Crispy jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese and cheddar, air-fried until golden. Ready in 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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for 5 minutes.
02 - Wash the jalapeños. 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 cream cheese, cheddar cheese, chives, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt until smooth.
04 - Fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture, mounding slightly.
05 - In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs with olive oil. Sprinkle or press the breadcrumb mixture onto the tops of the filled jalapeños.
06 - Arrange the poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if needed.
07 - Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes until the tops are golden and the jalapeños are tender.
08 - If desired, sprinkle with crumbled bacon immediately after cooking. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They come together faster than ordering takeout, and the air fryer does all the heavy lifting without heating up your whole kitchen.
  • The creamy filling balances the heat perfectly, so even friends who claim they can't handle spice end up reaching for seconds.
02 -
  • Don't skip softening the cream cheese, I tried mixing it straight from the fridge once and ended up with lumpy filling that refused to cooperate.
  • If you pile too many poppers into the basket at once, the tops stay pale and the peppers steam instead of crisping, so work in batches if you need to.
03 -
  • Press the breadcrumb mixture onto the filling with your fingers instead of just sprinkling it, this helps it stick and creates a more even, golden crust.
  • If you want less heat but still love the flavor, choose larger jalapeños and remove every trace of the white membrane, that's where most of the fire lives.
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