Air-Fryer Jalapeno Poppers: Quick, Crunchy, Spicy Treat!

Jalapeno poppers are a delicious snack, perfect for game day or any get-together. They are creamy, slightly crunchy, and filled with cheese. The air fryer is a great way to make this snack—it saves time, makes clean-up easier, and makes the bacon crispier. But how long do they take to cook in the air fryer?

Jalapeno Popper Preparation

Jalapeno poppers are a delicious snack and a great appetizer for parties, BBQs, or game days. They are creamy, slightly crunchy, and filled with cheese. The air fryer is a convenient way to make jalapeno poppers, and they can be prepared in a relatively short time. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare jalapeno poppers in an air fryer:

Ingredients:

• Jalapenos (medium to large)
• Cream cheese, softened
• Shredded cheddar cheese or any other shredded cheese of your choice
• Bacon
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Green onions
• Ranch seasoning (optional)
• BBQ sauce (optional)

Step-by-Step Preparation:

Step 1: Start by slicing the jalapenos in half lengthwise. You can use gloves or be very careful when handling the jalapenos to avoid touching your face, especially your eyes. Remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeno halves. You can use a spoon to scoop out the seeds.

Step 2: Drizzle olive oil over the jalapeno slices and rub them to coat them evenly. This step ensures that the jalapenos won't stick to the air fryer basket.

Step 3: Place the jalapeno halves into the air fryer basket. You don't need to preheat the air fryer before this step. Air fry the jalapeno halves at 400°F for about 4 minutes.

Step 4: Let the jalapeno halves cool down for about 5 minutes or until they are cool enough to handle. Place them upside down on a paper towel to drain any excess liquid or oil.

Step 5: In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth. You can use an electric hand mixer for this step to make it easier.

Step 6: Stir in the shredded cheese, chopped bacon, and sliced green onions into the cream cheese mixture. You can reserve some bacon and shredded cheese to top the jalapeno poppers later.

Step 7: Fill each jalapeno half with the cream cheese mixture. Generously fill the jalapeno halves, making sure there is enough of the mixture in each popper.

Step 8: Top the filled jalapeno halves with the remaining shredded cheese and chopped bacon. You can also brush some BBQ sauce onto the jalapeno poppers at this point for extra flavor.

Step 9: Place the filled jalapeno poppers in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overcrowded.

Step 10: Air fry the jalapeno poppers at 350-400°F for about 5-12 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer and the desired crispness of the bacon. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Step 11: Once the bacon is crisp and the cheese is melted, remove the jalapeno poppers from the air fryer and serve them immediately. Enjoy the delicious, crispy, and cheesy jalapeno poppers!

Tips:

• Wear gloves or wash your hands thoroughly after handling jalapenos to avoid irritating sensitive areas like your eyes or lips.
• You can add extra spices or ingredients to the cream cheese mixture, such as paprika, green onions, or bacon bits, to enhance the flavor.
• If you want to make the jalapeno poppers ahead of time, you can do all the prep work and keep them wrapped and refrigerated until you are ready to cook them.
• For a crispy coating, you can dip the stuffed jalapeno poppers in breadcrumbs before air frying.
• If you don't have an air fryer, you can also bake the jalapeno poppers in an oven at 425°F for 12-15 minutes.

Air Fryer Settings

The temperature and time settings on your air fryer will depend on the model you have and the type of jalapeño poppers you are cooking.

Fresh Jalapeño Poppers

If you are making fresh jalapeño poppers, you can cook them in the air fryer at a temperature of between 350ºF and 400ºF for 8 to 15 minutes.

For example, one recipe recommends cooking at 370ºF for 10-12 minutes, while another suggests 400ºF for 9 minutes in total (4 minutes, then 5 minutes).

Frozen Jalapeño Poppers

If you are cooking frozen jalapeño poppers, the temperature will be lower, at around 380ºF to 390ºF, and the cooking time will be around 9 to 10 minutes.

For example, one recipe recommends cooking frozen poppers at 380ºF for 9 minutes in total (5 minutes, then 4 minutes), while another suggests preheating to 390ºF and cooking for 10 to 12 minutes.

Reheating Jalapeño Poppers

To reheat jalapeño poppers, put them back in the air fryer for a few minutes. One source recommends reheating at 380ºF for 4-5 minutes.

Cooking Time

The cooking time for jalapeno poppers in an air fryer varies depending on the specific recipe and air fryer model. However, on average, the cooking time ranges from 8 to 17 minutes. Here is a detailed breakdown of the cooking process and time for each step:

Preparation

Before cooking, jalapeno poppers require some preparation time. This includes slicing the jalapenos in half lengthwise, removing the seeds and membranes, and preparing the filling. Some recipes also call for wrapping the jalapenos with bacon or salami, securing them with toothpicks. This preparation process can take around 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the number of poppers being made and the complexity of the recipe.

Cooking

Once the poppers are prepared, it's time to cook them in the air fryer. The cooking time can vary depending on the desired level of doneness and the specific air fryer model being used. Here are some common cooking time ranges:

• 5 to 8 minutes for poppers with a crispy topping, such as breadcrumbs.
• 10 to 12 minutes for poppers with bacon, cooking until the bacon is crisp.
• 15 minutes for poppers with a combination of cheese and bacon, or until the bacon is crisp.
• 9 minutes for frozen poppers, flipping them at the 5-minute mark.

Cooling and Serving

After cooking, it is important to let the jalapeno poppers cool down slightly before serving. This ensures that the filling is not too hot and prevents burning. The cooling time can vary depending on the number of poppers and the desired serving temperature.

Reheating

If you have leftover jalapeno poppers, you can easily reheat them in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and place the poppers in a single layer in the basket. Reheat for 4 to 5 minutes, or until warmed through.

Storage

Jalapeno poppers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. It is important to let them cool completely before storing to prevent condensation from making the breading soggy.

Serving Suggestions

Jalapeno poppers are a great snack for game day, parties, or any other get-together. They can be served as an appetiser or a side dish, and are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Here are some tips and ideas for serving jalapeno poppers made in an air fryer:

Spiciness

If you prefer your food on the spicier side, you can leave some of the seeds in the jalapenos when preparing them. The seeds are where the spicy flavour comes from, so adding some back in will give your poppers a kick. You could also add some extra spices to the cream cheese mixture, such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, or chilli powder.

Dips and Sides

Jalapeno poppers go well with a variety of dips and sides. Try serving them with ranch dressing, a creamy jalapeno dip, or some extra BBQ sauce. If you want to get creative, you can even chop up the jalapenos and mix them with cream cheese for a dip. For a healthier option, serve the poppers with a side of air fryer potatoes or air fryer veggies.

Other Foods to Serve

Jalapeno poppers are a great snack to serve on game day or for a party, and there are plenty of other foods you can serve alongside them. Some ideas include air fryer mozzarella sticks, air fryer chicken wings, ribs, pizza, or fries. If you're serving a full meal, try pairing the poppers with a main course such as steak, chicken, or shrimp.

Make-Ahead and Reheating

If you want to make jalapeno poppers ahead of time, you can prepare them and store them in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready to cook them, simply pop them in the air fryer and cook for a few minutes until the filling is bubbly and the topping is golden brown. You can also reheat leftover poppers in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes until they're warmed through.

Storing and Reheating

Jalapeno poppers are best enjoyed fresh and crispy, but if you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To maintain their crispiness, it is important to let them cool completely before storing, as condensation can make the poppers soggy.

When you're ready to enjoy your leftover jalapeno poppers, simply place them back in the air fryer and air fry for 3 to 5 minutes at 370°F (188°C) until the cream cheese has melted and the bacon is warm and crispy again.

If you're short on time, you can also reheat jalapeno poppers in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and bake the poppers for about 10 minutes or until heated through.

If you're preparing jalapeno poppers in advance, you can do all the prep work, such as cutting, stuffing, and wrapping the peppers, and then keep them wrapped and refrigerated until you're ready to cook them.

For frozen jalapeno poppers, it is recommended to reheat them in the air fryer for the best results. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and cook the poppers for 4 to 5 minutes until warmed through.

Frequently asked questions