Air-Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Jalapenos: Cooking Time Perfection

Bacon-wrapped jalapenos are a popular snack, often served as an appetizer or finger food during game days and sports games. They are easy to make and can be cooked in an air fryer in less than 20 minutes. The cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the air fryer model, but the general method remains the same. This paragraph aims to provide an introduction to the topic of cooking bacon-wrapped jalapenos in an air fryer, covering their popularity, ease of preparation, and cooking time.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is not mandatory when cooking bacon-wrapped jalapenos, but doing so can improve the taste and texture of your food and reduce cooking time. To preheat your air fryer, turn it to 350°F (177°C) for 3 minutes. After preheating, spray the basket with non-stick spray to prevent the food from sticking.

Preheating your air fryer can ensure more even cooking. This is especially important if you are using a smaller air fryer, as you may need to cook your jalapenos in batches. Preheating can also help you achieve the ideal texture for your bacon-wrapped jalapenos. The air fryer circulates hot air all around the poppers, crisping the bacon without having to flip them. Cooking bacon-wrapped jalapenos in an air fryer yields crispier results than cooking them in a conventional oven.

The ideal cooking temperature for bacon-wrapped jalapenos is 350°F (177°C). However, some recipes recommend cooking at 375°F (190.5°C) or even 400°F (204°C). Cooking at a higher temperature for a shorter time, such as 12 minutes at 370°F (187°C) and then 2-3 minutes at 400°F (204°C), can help you achieve crispy bacon without overcooking the filling.

Cooking time will depend on your particular air fryer model, so it is important to keep an eye on your jalapeno poppers as they cook. Since each air fryer cooks at a different speed, you may need to adjust the temperature or cooking time to ensure your food is cooking at the desired rate. If you notice the cream cheese filling or roasted jalapenos browning too quickly, turn your air fryer down by 20 degrees and continue cooking.

Fill the jalapenos

To fill the jalapeños, start by cutting off the stems and slicing the peppers in half lengthwise. Then, use a spoon to carefully remove the seeds and white pith from the inside of the jalapeños. Be sure to wear gloves during this step to protect your hands from the spice of the jalapeños.

Once the jalapeños are prepared, it's time to make the filling. For a classic option, mix softened cream cheese with shredded cheddar cheese, ranch seasoning, and any desired herbs or spices. Alternatively, you can create a savoury blend by combining cream cheese with chorizo, honey, and a splash of sticky sweetener, such as honey. For a more Mediterranean twist, mix the cream cheese with sun-dried tomatoes, shallots, garlic, salt, and pepper.

After making your chosen filling, use a small spoon to generously fill each jalapeño half without overfilling. It's important to find the right balance, as overfilling may cause the filling to spill out when wrapping the jalapeños with bacon. On the other hand, underfilling may result in a less flavourful popper. Aim for about a teaspoon or two of filling per jalapeño, depending on its size.

Wrap the jalapenos with bacon

To make bacon-wrapped jalapenos in an air fryer, you'll want to start by choosing fresh jalapenos that are roughly the same size. This will ensure they cook evenly. You'll also want to opt for thinner slices of bacon, as these will wrap around the jalapenos more easily.

Once you've selected your ingredients, cut the tops off the jalapenos and slice them in half lengthwise. Then, use a spoon to carefully remove the seeds and white pith (if you want your jalapenos to be less spicy). Be sure to wear gloves during this step!

Now it's time to fill your jalapenos. You can fill them with a variety of ingredients, such as cream cheese, cheddar cheese, chorizo, or a combination of these. If you're using cream cheese, let it come to room temperature first to make it easier to mix with other ingredients. You can also add in seasonings like Ranch seasoning, honey, or spices. Just be sure not to overfill the jalapenos, as the filling may spill out when you wrap them with bacon.

Next, cut your bacon slices in half and wrap each piece around a jalapeno. Use toothpicks to secure the bacon in place. You can also cut each bacon slice into two thinner slices if you want more of the jalapeno covered.

Finally, place your bacon-wrapped jalapenos in the air fryer, ensuring they don't touch each other, and air fry at 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-16 minutes, until the bacon is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melty. For an extra crispy finish, brush some BBQ sauce onto the jalapenos and cook for a couple more minutes.

Air fry at 350°F for 10-16 minutes

To make bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers in an air fryer, set the temperature to 350°F and cook for 10-16 minutes. The cooking time will depend on your particular air fryer model, so it's important to keep an eye on the poppers as they cook. Different air fryer sizes and models may affect the cooking time, so check on your first batch of poppers early to avoid burning the bacon. Preheat the air fryer for a few minutes to ensure even cooking. Place the poppers in the basket, leaving room around each one for airflow.

When the bacon is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melty, the poppers are ready to be served. You can brush some BBQ sauce onto the poppers and cook for a couple more minutes to add some extra flavour. You can also sprinkle some brown sugar on top of the bacon before serving.

If you're making a large batch, you may need to cook the poppers in batches to ensure even cooking. It's also a good idea to use shorter jalapeños that are around 3 inches long so that you can get full bacon coverage and limit any filling from coming out during air frying.

You can reheat any leftovers in the air fryer or the microwave. The air fryer will make them crispier.

Reheat and serve

To reheat and serve bacon-wrapped jalapeños, simply place them back in the air fryer for a few minutes. You can reheat them in the microwave, but using the air fryer will make them crispier. If you are reheating from frozen, it may take a bit longer than reheating from fresh.

When cooking bacon-wrapped jalapeños in an air fryer, it is best to preheat the air fryer to 350°F (177°C) for three minutes. You can then place the jalapeños in the air fryer basket, leaving room around each one for airflow, and air fry for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bacon is crispy and golden brown.

The cooking time will depend on your particular air fryer model, so check on your jalapeños halfway through cooking to make sure they are not burning. If the cream cheese filling or roasted jalapeños are becoming brown too fast, turn your air fryer down by 20 degrees and cook from there.

Once cooked, remove the jalapeños from the air fryer with tongs and allow them to cool before serving.

Frequently asked questions