Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Jalapenos: How Long To Cook?

Bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers are a delicious snack or appetiser that can be made in an air fryer. The process is simple: cut jalapenos in half, fill them with a cream cheese mixture, wrap them in bacon, and air fry. The air fryer temperature and cooking time may vary, but generally, the bacon-wrapped jalapenos should cook for around 10-15 minutes at 350-390 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to prepare the jalapenos

Preparing jalapenos for bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers is a simple process, but it's important to take some precautions to ensure the best results and protect your skin from the jalapeno's heat. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to prepare the jalapenos:

• Wearing Gloves: It is highly recommended to wear gloves when handling jalapenos. Jalapenos contain capsaicin, which is the compound that gives them their heat. This compound can irritate your skin and cause a burning sensation, so gloves will protect your hands.
• Cutting the Jalapenos: Start by cutting the stems off the jalapenos. Try to cut as close to the stem as possible because this will create a boat-like shape that will help hold the filling. Then, cut the jalapenos in half lengthwise.
• Seeding and Membrane Removal: Use a small spoon to carefully scoop out and discard the seeds and membranes from the jalapenos. The more membrane you leave, the spicier the poppers will be. If you prefer a milder flavour, make sure to remove most of the membranes. You can also rinse the jalapenos under water to reduce the heat.
• Filling the Jalapenos: In a separate bowl, prepare your desired filling. This could be a mixture of cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and other seasonings. You can also add cooked chorizo or salami for a heartier filling. Once your filling is ready, use a small spoon to fill each jalapeno half, being careful not to overfill.
• Wrapping with Bacon: Cut bacon slices in half lengthwise. Wrap each filled jalapeno half with a halved slice of bacon. Make sure the bacon is tightly wrapped around the jalapeno to prevent the filling from leaking out during cooking.
• Final Touches: You can season the poppers with freshly cracked black pepper or other seasonings of your choice. Additionally, you can secure the bacon with toothpicks if needed.

Once your jalapenos are prepared, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer and cooked according to your recipe instructions. Remember to cook them in a single layer and avoid letting them touch each other for even cooking. Enjoy your delicious bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers!

How to make the filling

The filling for these bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers is a mixture of cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and spices. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make the filling:

Ingredients:

• Cream cheese (softened or at room temperature)
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Spices: garlic powder, onion powder, and/or ranch seasoning
• Optional: You can also add chorizo, honey, or ranch seasoning to the filling for extra flavour.

Instructions:

• In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and your choice of spices.
• Stir the ingredients together until they are well combined and form a creamy mixture.
• If your cream cheese is cold, you can microwave it for about 15-20 seconds to soften it and make it easier to mix.
• For a spicier filling, you can leave some of the jalapeno membranes in the mixture. Just remember that the membrane contains the spicy heat, so adjust according to your preference.
• Once your filling is ready, use a small spoon to carefully fill each jalapeno half. Make sure not to overfill, as the filling may spill out when wrapping the bacon.

Now that you have your filling ready, it's time to assemble the poppers! Cut the bacon slices in half and wrap each filled jalapeno with a half slice of bacon. Then, simply follow the cooking instructions in your air fryer for the perfect crispy treat!

How to wrap the bacon

To wrap the bacon, first cut the bacon slices in half. You can keep it in one slice, but half a slice will be enough to wrap around the stuffed jalapenos. Wrap each jalapeno half in one piece of bacon. Make sure to wrap the bacon tightly and spread each strip to meet the edges of the others, to avoid the filling coming out during air frying. Do your best to minimise gaps on top of the poppers.

How to cook the poppers

Ingredients

Depending on the recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

• Jalapeño peppers
• Cream cheese (softened, room temperature, or slightly soft)
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Bacon (thinly cut, regular, or smoked)
• Honey
• Black pepper
• Salami
• Ranch seasoning
• American cheese
• Greek yogurt
• Milk

Instructions

First, cut the stems off the jalapeño peppers and then cut them in half lengthwise. Be sure to wear gloves when handling the peppers and wash your hands afterward. Next, use a small spoon to scoop out and discard the seeds and membranes. Leave some of the membranes inside the pepper if you prefer your poppers to be spicier.

Now it's time to make the filling. In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder. If you want to add some extra flavour, you can also include ranch seasoning, honey, or black pepper. Stir the ingredients until they are well combined.

Once your filling is ready, use a small spoon to fill each jalapeño pepper with the mixture. Be careful not to overfill the peppers, as this can cause the filling to spill out when you wrap them with bacon.

After filling the peppers, cut the bacon slices in half and wrap each pepper with a half slice of bacon. Make sure the bacon is tightly wrapped around the pepper to minimise gaps. If necessary, you can use a toothpick to secure the bacon in place.

Now it's time to cook the poppers! Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 390°F. Place the poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't touch each other. Cook for 10 to 16 minutes, until the bacon is fully cooked and crispy.

You can serve the poppers as an appetizer or a side dish. They go well with dipping sauces like ranch or blue cheese dressing, sour cream, or Greek yogurt. Enjoy!

How to serve the poppers

Jalapeno poppers are a great snack for game day, parties, or get-togethers. They can be served as a side dish or appetiser, and are perfect for those who enjoy spicy food.

If you're serving bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers as an appetiser, you might want to consider some of the following side dishes to enhance the overall dining experience and create a full meal:

• Sweet corn salad
• Guacamole
• Spinach artichoke dip
• Nachos
• Refried beans
• Chipotle coleslaw
• Grilled pineapple
• Black bean salad
• Garlic bread
• Cucumber yoghurt dip
• Salsa fresca
• Carne asada
• Salsa
• Cheese dip
• Mexican rice

You could also serve them with bruschetta, chicken wings, or other favourite appetisers for a full meal. If you're serving them as a side, they go well with a BBQ, ribs or chicken, green beans, collard greens, cornbread, mac and cheese, or baked beans.

Jalapeno poppers can be served hot or cold, so they're a great make-ahead option. They can be enjoyed as finger food or sliced and shared as part of a larger meal.

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