Air Fryer Poppers: Perfect Timing For Crunchy Treats

Cooking poppers in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare this snack. Poppers can be cooked in an air fryer in as little as 5 minutes, or up to 12 minutes, depending on the recipe and the crispiness you prefer.

Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F

Once the air fryer has reached the right temperature, you can place the poppers in the basket. Make sure to leave space between each popper, so that air can circulate. This will help ensure that the poppers cook evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the poppers in batches.

Cooking times for poppers in an air fryer can vary slightly, but generally, they will take around 8-12 minutes. Some recipes suggest cooking for 5 minutes, then flipping the poppers and cooking for an additional 4 minutes. This will give you poppers that are golden on the outside, with cheese just starting to ooze out.

If you like your poppers spicy, you can leave the white membrane inside the jalapeños. For a milder flavour, remove the seeds and membrane before cooking.

Place the poppers in the basket in a single layer

When cooking poppers in an air fryer, it's important to place them in the basket in a single layer. This ensures even cooking and prevents overcrowding, which can lead to uneven results. Leave some space between each popper to allow for proper air circulation. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the poppers in batches to avoid overcrowding.

When arranging the poppers in the basket, be mindful of the number of poppers you are cooking. It's important not to stack or overcrowd them. Place as many poppers as possible in a single layer, ensuring there is adequate space for air to circulate. This will help achieve the desired crispiness and even cooking.

To achieve the best results, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer to 375-380 degrees Fahrenheit before placing the poppers in the basket. This will ensure a consistent cooking temperature and help achieve the desired crispiness. Once the air fryer is preheated, carefully place the poppers in a single layer, leaving space between each one.

Depending on your preference for crispiness and the desired doneness of the poppers, the cooking time may vary. For crispier poppers, consider extending the cooking time by a few minutes. It is recommended to cook the poppers for 8-12 minutes at 370-380 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it is important to keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.

To check if your poppers are cooked to your liking, use an instant-read thermometer to ensure they have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, the poppers should have a golden breading on the outside, and the cheese should be starting to ooze out. Remember to let the poppers cool slightly before serving as the filling can be extremely hot.

Cook for 4-5 minutes

Cooking poppers in an air fryer takes around 8-10 minutes, but if you're cooking frozen poppers, you may want to cook them for a little less time. One source suggests cooking frozen poppers for 4-5 minutes, then flipping them and cooking for an additional 4 minutes. This should be enough time for the poppers to turn golden and for the cheese to start oozing out.

If you're cooking bacon-wrapped poppers, you may want to cook them for a little longer to ensure the bacon is crispy. One source suggests cooking bacon-wrapped poppers for 10-12 minutes.

It's important to preheat your air fryer before cooking poppers, as this will ensure even cooking. Most sources recommend preheating your air fryer to 375-380 degrees Fahrenheit.

Check the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees F

The best way to tell when your poppers are done is to use an instant-read thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees F. You want the breading on the outside to be golden, and the cheese should just be starting to ooze out.

You can also check the internal temperature by inserting a toothpick into the centre of the popper. If the toothpick comes out clean, the popper is done. If there is any cheese or breading on the toothpick, the popper needs to cook longer.

It's important to note that the cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the poppers, as well as the brand and model of your air fryer. As a general guideline, cook the poppers at 370-380 degrees F for 8-12 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even cooking.

For crispy bacon-wrapped poppers, extend the cooking time to the full 12 minutes. Remember to wear gloves when handling jalapeño peppers to avoid transferring their juices to your skin, which can cause irritation or burning.

Leave to cool before eating

It's important to leave your poppers to cool before eating, as the inside will be very hot. If you try to store them while they're still hot, condensation will make the breading soggy.

To check if your poppers are cooked, use an instant-read thermometer to ensure they are hot all the way through. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees F. You'll also want to check that the breading is golden and the cheese is starting to ooze out.

If you're cooking bacon-wrapped poppers, you'll want to leave them to cook for the full 12 minutes if you like your bacon crispy.

Once your poppers are cooked, remove them from the basket and place them on a paper towel to remove any leftover bacon grease. Then, leave them to cool slightly before serving.

Frequently asked questions