Air Fryer Poppers: A Tasty, Quick Treat?

Jalapeño poppers are a popular snack, often served at parties or on game day. They can be cooked in an air fryer in as little as 5 to 12 minutes, depending on the desired crispiness of the bacon and the model of the air fryer. The basic recipe involves stuffing halved jalapeños with a mixture of cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and other fillings, wrapping them in bacon, and securing them with a toothpick before placing them in the air fryer.

Jalapeño poppers recipe

Jalapeño poppers are a delicious snack that can be made in an air fryer. They are easy to make, quick, and crispy. Here is a simple recipe to make these mouth-watering poppers.

Ingredients:

• 6 jalapeños
• 6 slices of bacon
• 1/2 block of softened cream cheese
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon of ranch seasoning
• 1 tablespoon of butter (optional)
• 1/4 slice of salami (optional)
• Your favorite dipping sauce

Method:

• Cut the tops off the jalapeños and slice them in half lengthwise.
• Wear gloves and scrape out the seeds and membranes from each jalapeño half. Be careful not to touch your eyes or face as the juices can cause irritation.
• In a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and ranch seasoning until well combined. You can also add cooked bacon pieces or other ingredients like green onions to the filling.
• Use a small spoon to fill each jalapeño half with the cream cheese mixture. Do not overfill.
• Wrap each filled jalapeño with a slice of bacon and secure it with a toothpick. You can also add salami slices for extra flavor.
• Place the wrapped poppers in the air fryer basket in a single layer, without stacking.
• Preheat the air fryer to 350-390 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Air fry for 10-15 minutes, checking after 10 minutes to ensure the bacon is crisp to your liking.
• If desired, brush some BBQ sauce onto the poppers and air fry for a few more minutes.
• Remove from the air fryer and place on a paper towel to absorb any excess grease.
• Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!

Tips:

• It is important to chill the poppers for at least an hour or overnight before cooking to prevent the filling from spilling out.
• You can also add crispy breadcrumbs by mixing panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and coating the filled jalapeños before air frying.
• Always preheat the air fryer to ensure even cooking and to prevent the bacon from burning.
• You can make these poppers in advance and reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes before serving.

Enjoy the crispy, cheesy, and spicy goodness of these Jalapeño poppers!

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process of jalapeño poppers. While some recipes suggest that preheating is not necessary, others emphasise that it is crucial. Preheating your air fryer can promote more consistent cooking results and help to achieve an evenly crisp texture.

The ideal temperature for preheating your air fryer is a matter of some debate. Some sources recommend preheating to 375°F (190°C), while others suggest 390°F (199°C) or even 400°F. It is worth noting that the recommended temperature for cooking jalapeño poppers is typically 350°F (175°C), so preheating at a slightly higher temperature may be beneficial. However, it is important to refer to the manufacturer's instructions for your specific air fryer model and adjust the temperature as needed.

The length of time required for preheating your air fryer may vary depending on the model and its features. Some sources suggest preheating for around five minutes, while others recommend a longer preheating time to ensure the appliance reaches the desired temperature. It is worth noting that the cooking time for jalapeño poppers is generally around 8 to 15 minutes, so a shorter preheating time may be sufficient.

When preparing jalapeño poppers for air frying, it is important to follow the correct procedure. This includes slicing the jalapeños in half lengthwise, removing the seeds and membranes to adjust the heat level, and stuffing them with a mixture of cream cheese, shredded cheese, and seasonings. Some recipes also suggest wrapping each stuffed jalapeño with halved bacon strips and securing them with toothpicks. It is also recommended to chill the poppers for at least an hour or even prepare them a day in advance to ensure the filling does not spill out during cooking.

Chilling the poppers

It is worth noting that if you chill the poppers for too long, the breading or bacon wrapping may not turn out as crispy. So, it is important to find the right balance between chilling time and ensuring that your poppers will still be nice and crispy.

Additionally, when you are ready to cook the chilled poppers, it is recommended to let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before placing them in the air fryer. This will help ensure more even cooking. You may also need to adjust the cooking time slightly, as chilled poppers will cook quicker than fresh ones.

Overall, chilling the poppers before cooking is a crucial step in ensuring that your jalapeno poppers turn out perfectly crisp and golden brown, with no cheese spillage.

Filling the peppers

Step 1: Prepare the Peppers

Start by slicing each jalapeño pepper in half lengthwise. It is important to wear plastic or rubber gloves during this process to protect your skin from the pepper's heat and oils, which can cause irritation or burning. Use a sharp knife to cut through the peppers, and be careful not to cut yourself. Once halved, use a small spoon to carefully scoop out the seeds and membranes from each jalapeño half. Scrape out all the seeds and membranes to create a hollow space for the filling.

Step 2: Make the Filling

In a small bowl, combine your filling ingredients. A classic combination is cream cheese, sharp Cheddar cheese, and green onions. However, you can also add ingredients like garlic powder, salt, onion powder, black pepper, and hot sauce to taste. Mix these ingredients well until you have a smooth and well-combined filling. You can also add cooked, crisp bacon pieces to the filling for an extra savoury bite.

Step 3: Fill the Peppers

Use a small teaspoon to fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture. Be careful not to overfill the peppers. The filling should be flush with or just below the top of each jalapeño half. This ensures that the filling doesn't bubble over and spill during cooking. You can also add a slice of bacon on top of the filling, wrapping it around the pepper and securing it with a toothpick if needed.

Step 4: Chill the Poppers

Once filled, it is important to chill the poppers before cooking. Place them in the refrigerator for at least an hour, or even overnight, to ensure the filling sets. This step helps prevent the filling from bubbling out of the peppers during cooking and ensures a neat and tidy popper.

After following these steps, your jalapeño peppers will be filled and ready for the next step—cooking them in your air fryer!

Cooking time

The cooking time for jalapeño poppers in an air fryer varies depending on the desired crispiness and the air fryer model being used. However, on average, the cooking time falls between 5 to 12 minutes.

For example, one source recommends cooking the poppers for 10 to 12 minutes at 370 degrees Fahrenheit, while another suggests 8 minutes at the same temperature. The difference in cooking time may be due to the variation in air fryer models, as some cook hotter than others. Therefore, it is essential to monitor the poppers during the cooking process to prevent overcooking or burning.

Additionally, it is worth noting that the size of the jalapeño poppers and the thickness of the bacon used can also impact the cooking time. Thicker bacon may require a longer cooking time to achieve the desired crispiness. Similarly, larger jalapeño poppers may need a few extra minutes in the air fryer compared to smaller ones.

To ensure even cooking, it is recommended to place the poppers in a single layer without stacking or overcrowding in the air fryer basket. This allows the hot air to circulate properly and cook the poppers evenly. It is also suggested to preheat the air fryer before adding the poppers, as this helps to prevent the bacon from burning before it begins to render fat.

Frequently asked questions