Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers: Cooking Time Perfection

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers are a delicious and easy-to-make snack. They are a great appetizer for game day or to entertain a crowd. The poppers are filled with cream cheese and wrapped with crispy bacon. They can be served with a variety of dipping sauces such as ranch dressing, sour cream, guacamole, or a creamy jalapeño dip. The cooking time for stuffed jalapeños in an air fryer varies depending on the recipe and the power of the air fryer, but on average, they take around 10-15 minutes to cook at 350-375°F.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is not mandatory when cooking stuffed jalapeños, but it is recommended for even cooking and can result in tastier food. Preheat your air fryer by turning it to 350°F for 3 minutes.

If your air fryer is preheated, the peppers will cook faster, so keep an eye on them. Different air fryers cook at different speeds, so it's important to make sure your food is cooking at a good rate. Air fryers are designed to be opened in the middle of cooking to check on the food, so if you notice the cream cheese filling or roasted jalapeños browning too fast, turn your air fryer down by 20 degrees and continue cooking.

If you are cooking in a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook the jalapeños in batches to ensure they cook evenly. Place the stuffed jalapeños in the air fryer in an even layer, making sure they do not touch.

Prepare the jalapeños

Preparing the jalapeños is the first step to making delicious air-fried jalapeño poppers. The process is relatively simple but requires caution to avoid any irritation from the spicy jalapeño oils. It is recommended to wear plastic gloves when handling the jalapeños to protect your skin from the oils.

First, wash and dry the jalapeño peppers. The number of jalapeños you need will depend on the serving size and your preference. For a serving of three poppers per person, you will need six jalapeños. Cut each jalapeño in half lengthwise. You can use a grapefruit spoon to easily clean out the insides of the jalapeños. Carefully scoop out the seeds and membranes and discard them. Removing the seeds and membranes helps control the heat level of the poppers, making them more enjoyable for everyone. If you want to add some extra spice, you can leave some seeds in or add chopped fresh chili peppers to the filling.

Once the jalapeños are cleaned and cut, you can start making the filling. In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and your choice of seasonings. You can add green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix all the ingredients until well combined. If you prefer a creamier filling, you can add a bit of milk to the cream cheese and mix until you achieve the desired consistency.

Now it's time to stuff the jalapeños. Use a small spoon to fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture. Be careful not to overfill the jalapeños, as the filling may spill out during cooking. Gently press the filling into the jalapeños to ensure they are well packed. If you want to add a crunchy topping, dip the stuffed jalapeños into a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and melted butter before air frying.

At this point, you can wrap each stuffed jalapeño with a slice of bacon. Cut the bacon slices in half and secure them with a toothpick if needed. You can also add a piece of salami or smoked paprika on top of the filling before wrapping with bacon. This step is optional, but it adds a savory flavor to the poppers.

Once your jalapeños are prepared and stuffed, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer and cooked to crispy perfection!

Make the filling

To make the filling for your air fryer stuffed jalapeños, you'll need a few key ingredients: cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and bacon. You can also add in some extra spices and seasonings to taste.

Start by preparing your jalapeños. Cut off the tops of 6 jalapeños and cut each one in half. Be sure to wear gloves during this step to avoid any irritation from the spicy jalapeño oils. Carefully scoop out the seeds and membranes from the jalapeños and discard them. If you want a spicier popper, you can leave some of the seeds in.

Now it's time to make the filling. In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and any spices or seasonings you'd like to add. Some popular choices include ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until well combined.

If you want to add a little bacon to each bite, you can cook it beforehand and chop it into small pieces, then mix it into the cream cheese filling. You can also wrap each stuffed jalapeño with a piece of bacon before air frying, securing it with a toothpick if needed.

Once your filling is ready, use a small spoon to fill each jalapeño half with the cream cheese mixture. Be careful not to overfill them, as this can cause the filling to spill out when wrapping them with bacon or during the air frying process.

You can also try some variations on the filling. Some people like to add in some sour cream, green onions, or even a dash of hot sauce to their filling. Others might soak the jalapeños in milk before stuffing them, or dip the stuffed jalapeños in breadcrumbs before air frying for a crispy texture. Feel free to get creative and experiment with different ingredients and combinations to find your perfect stuffed jalapeño filling!

Air fry the jalapeños

Air frying the jalapeños is a quick and easy process. Before you begin, ensure your jalapeños are prepared and stuffed. You can wear gloves for this part to avoid any irritation from the spicy jalapeño oils. Cut the tops off your jalapeños and cut them in half. Carefully scoop out the seeds and rinse the jalapeños.

Next, make your filling. A popular choice is a cream cheese mixture. You can mix in other ingredients such as cheddar cheese, green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste. You can also add extra spicy ingredients to the cream cheese filling, such as chopped fresh chili peppers or a dash of hot sauce. Fill the jalapeño halves with your chosen filling. If you are using cream cheese, it is best to use small spoons to fill the jalapeños without overfilling. You can also add a slice of salami to each jalapeño half.

Then, wrap each stuffed jalapeño with a slice of bacon. You can cut the bacon slices in half if using smaller jalapeños. Secure the bacon with a toothpick if necessary. Place the bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapeños into the air fryer in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch each other. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 3 minutes. Then, air fry at the same temperature for 14-16 minutes, or until the bacon is thoroughly cooked. You can also air fry at 375°F for 5 to 8 minutes, or at 370°F for 10-12 minutes.

Finally, serve your jalapeños with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch dressing, sour cream, guacamole, or blue cheese sauce. You can also chop up the jalapeños and mix them with cream cheese for a yummy dip. Enjoy your delicious and crispy air-fried jalapeños!

Reheat and serve

To reheat and serve your stuffed jalapenos, simply place them back in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes until the cream cheese has melted and the bacon is warm and crispy.

You can store your leftover jalapeno poppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It is recommended to reheat them in the air fryer for the best results, but you can also freeze them before cooking. To do this, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet until frozen, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When you're ready to cook them, take them out of the freezer and place them in the air fryer, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

If you're looking for a quick and easy snack or appetizer, jalapeno poppers are a great option. They are easy to make and can be prepared in advance, making them perfect for game days or any other event where you need a delicious and crowd-pleasing dish. The prep time is minimal, and cooking them in the air fryer gives them a crispy texture that is hard to resist.

There are also a variety of ways to customize your jalapeno poppers to make them even more enjoyable. You can add extra spices like paprika, garlic powder, or onion powder, or experiment with different types of cheese and bacon. You can also control the spiciness by leaving some seeds in the jalapenos or adding ingredients like chopped fresh chili peppers or a dash of hot sauce to the cream cheese filling.

Frequently asked questions