Air-Fryer Jalapeno Poppers: A Spicy, Crispy Treat

Jalapeno poppers are a popular appetiser and game-day snack, and cooking them in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get that crispy, golden texture. The air fryer is a handy way to speed up the cooking time of jalapeno poppers to just five minutes per batch. You can fill your jalapeno poppers with a variety of cheeses, including cheddar, pepper jack, and cream cheese, and add bacon for a savoury kick.

How long to cook jalapeno poppers in an air fryer

Jalapeno poppers are a great snack to cook in an air fryer, and they're super easy to make. The cooking time will vary depending on your desired level of crispiness, the size of the jalapenos, and the power of your air fryer.

If you're cooking jalapeno poppers with bacon, you'll want to cook them for 10-12 minutes at 370°F (190°C). Check on them after 10 minutes to see if the bacon is crisp enough for your preference. If you want them crispier, let them cook for the full 12 minutes.

If you're cooking jalapeno poppers without bacon, you'll want to cook them for 5-8 minutes at 375°F (190°C). Keep an eye on them, as air fryer times can vary based on the power of your air fryer. If your air fryer is preheated, the jalapeno poppers will cook faster. You'll know they're done when the tops are golden brown and the filling is nice and bubbly.

If you're cooking frozen jalapeno poppers, you'll need to cook them for a little longer until the tops are golden brown and the filling is bubbly.

How to prepare jalapenos for air frying

Jalapeno poppers are a delicious snack that can be prepared in an air fryer in just a few simple steps. Here is a guide on how to prepare jalapenos for air frying:

Ingredients:

First, gather your ingredients. You will need jalapenos, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and optionally, bacon, breadcrumbs, spices, and ranch dressing for serving.

Prepare the Jalapenos:

Start by putting on some plastic or rubber gloves to protect your hands from the jalapeno juices, which can irritate your skin and eyes. Then, cut the jalapenos in half lengthwise. Use a small spoon to carefully scoop out and discard the seeds and membranes from each jalapeno half. Rinse the jalapenos to ensure you remove all the seeds and membranes, which contain most of the heat.

Fill the Jalapenos:

Now it's time to fill your jalapenos. You can fill them with cream cheese only or make a mixture with other ingredients. A common filling is a combination of cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt and pepper. You can also add cooked bacon bits for a smoky flavour. Mix your chosen ingredients in a bowl until well combined, then use a spoon to fill each jalapeno half with the mixture.

Bread the Jalapenos (Optional):

If you want a crispy topping, you can coat your jalapeno poppers with breadcrumbs. Simply melt some butter and mix it with panko breadcrumbs. Then, dip the cheese-stuffed jalapenos into the buttery crumbs until evenly coated.

Cook the Jalapeno Poppers:

Place your stuffed jalapenos in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping. Air fry at 370-380 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. If you are cooking from frozen, you may need to cook them a little longer.

Serve:

Remove the jalapeno poppers from the air fryer and place them on a paper towel to absorb any excess grease. Serve immediately with ranch dressing or your favourite dipping sauce. Enjoy!

What to serve with jalapeno poppers

Jalapeno poppers are a delicious and spicy appetiser, often served as a side dish. They are a perfect game-day snack and can be served with a variety of other dishes to make a full meal.

If you are serving jalapeno poppers as a side, they go well with a range of Mexican-inspired dishes, including:

• Guacamole and tortilla chips
• Carne asada
• Refried beans
• Mexican rice
• Nachos
• Salsa
• Cheese dip

You could also serve jalapeno poppers with garlic bread, or a salad to balance out the richness of the poppers. If you are making a meal of appetisers, you could serve jalapeno poppers with chicken wings, bruschetta, or mozzarella sticks.

For a more substantial meal, jalapeno poppers pair well with chicken, especially a strongly seasoned chicken breast. You could also serve them with a side of potatoes, either mashed or baby potatoes.

If you are barbecuing, jalapeno poppers are a great addition to ribs or chicken, with sides such as green beans, cornbread, mac and cheese, and baked beans.

For drinks, a cabernet or chardonnay would be a good wine pairing.

How to reheat jalapeno poppers in an air fryer

Jalapeno poppers are a delicious snack, but what do you do when you have leftovers? Well, you can easily reheat them in an air fryer! Here's how to do it:

• Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. It's important to preheat so that your poppers heat evenly.
• Place the leftover jalapeno poppers in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping. This ensures that the hot air can circulate around each popper.
• Cook the poppers for 4-5 minutes. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don't overcook. You want the cream cheese to be melted and the bacon to be warm and crispy.
• Remove the poppers from the air fryer and serve them immediately. Be careful, as the filling will be very hot!

And that's it! You can enjoy your crispy, delicious jalapeno poppers again. This method is a quick and easy way to reheat your leftovers, so you can have a tasty snack or appetizer in no time.

Can you cook frozen jalapeno poppers in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook frozen jalapeno poppers in an air fryer. This is a quick and easy way to get crispy, golden, breaded jalapeno poppers with molten, gooey cheese in about 15 minutes.

How to Cook Frozen Jalapeno Poppers in an Air Fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place the poppers inside the basket, leaving space between them for the air to circulate.
• Cook for 5 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 4 minutes. The poppers are done when they are golden and the cheese is starting to ooze out.
• Cool slightly before serving, as the filling will be very hot.

Storing Leftover Jalapeno Poppers:

Allow the poppers to cool completely before storing. Place the poppers in a shallow airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Reheating Jalapeno Poppers in the Air Fryer:

• Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place the poppers in the basket in a single layer, leaving space between each one.
• Cook for 4-5 minutes, until warmed through.

Frequently asked questions