Air Fryer Frozen Jalapeño Poppers: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Cooking frozen jalapeno poppers in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious snack or appetiser. The poppers can be cooked in around 15 minutes, and the air fryer ensures that they are crispy and golden on the outside, with molten, gooey cheese on the inside. This method is perfect for game day, playoffs, or the Super Bowl, and can be served as a snack or appetiser.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in cooking frozen jalapeño poppers. While some recipes do not require preheating, it is generally recommended to ensure even cooking and to reduce the overall cooking time.

To preheat your air fryer, first, set it to the desired temperature. The ideal temperature for cooking frozen jalapeño poppers is between 370-400°F (or 200°C). You can preheat your air fryer for around 5 minutes to ensure it reaches the desired temperature.

Different air fryer models may have specific preheat settings, so it is always good to refer to your air fryer's user manual for precise instructions. Once preheated, you can proceed to cook your frozen jalapeño poppers according to your chosen recipe.

It is worth noting that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and brand of your air fryer, as well as the brand of poppers you are using. Therefore, it is important to keep an eye on your poppers during the cooking process and adjust the time as needed.

Arrange in the air fryer basket

When arranging the frozen jalapeño poppers in the air fryer basket, it is important to ensure they are in a single layer and not stacked or overcrowded. This will allow for even cooking and browning. Leave some space between each popper to ensure optimal air circulation. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may need to cook the poppers in batches to avoid overcrowding.

If you are using an air fryer with a raised grill-like surface, place the poppers directly on the surface without stacking. For air fryers with a flat basket, you can line the basket with parchment paper or aluminium foil before arranging the poppers in a single layer. This can make clean-up easier, especially if any cheese melts out during cooking.

For bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers, it is important to ensure that the bacon is also in a single layer and not overlapping. This will ensure that it cooks evenly and crisps up nicely. If your poppers are larger in size or if you prefer your bacon extra crispy, you may need to cook them for a longer period of time or at a slightly higher temperature.

When arranging the poppers in the air fryer basket, consider the number of poppers you are cooking and the size of your air fryer. It is important to leave enough space for hot air to circulate around the poppers, ensuring even cooking. If you are cooking a large batch, you may need to cook the poppers in multiple batches to ensure they are not overcrowded in the basket.

Additionally, if you are cooking different varieties of jalapeño poppers, such as those with different fillings or breadings, you may want to arrange them in groups in the air fryer basket. This will make it easier to keep track of cooking times and ensure that each type of popper is cooked to perfection.

Cook for 8-15 minutes

When cooking frozen jalapeño poppers in an air fryer, the cooking time can vary depending on the model of your air fryer and the brand of poppers you are using. It is recommended to cook them for 6-8 minutes at 400°F (200°C), turning them once halfway. However, some sources suggest cooking them for up to 9 minutes, flipping them at the 5-minute mark, or even up to 15 minutes. You can also cook them at 350°F or 380°F, but you may need to adjust the cooking time.

It is important to note that you should not stack the poppers on top of each other in the air fryer. Place them in a single layer, leaving some space between each one. This will ensure even cooking and prevent overcrowding.

To check if your poppers are done, look for a golden colour on the outside and slightly melted cheese. You can also use an instant-read thermometer to check if they have reached an internal temperature of 165°F.

Remember to let the poppers cool slightly before serving and eating, as the filling can get extremely hot.

Let the poppers cool

When you remove the jalapeno poppers from the air fryer, they will be very hot. The cheese inside will be molten and gooey, and the outside will be crispy and golden. It is important to let the poppers cool slightly before serving or eating. This will ensure that you don't burn your mouth on the hot cheese. Place the cooked poppers on a plate and allow them to rest for a minute or two before serving. This will give the cheese a chance to cool down slightly and thicken, making it less likely to burn your mouth. It will also give the poppers a chance to cool down evenly, so you can enjoy the full range of flavours.

The cooling time will also allow the poppers to reach the ideal temperature for serving. If you serve them too hot, they may be uncomfortable to eat and could potentially burn your mouth. Allowing them to cool slightly will also give the poppers a chance to finish cooking. Even after removing them from the air fryer, the poppers will continue to cook slightly due to residual heat. Giving them a few minutes to rest will ensure they are cooked through and safe to eat.

In addition to ensuring food safety, letting the poppers cool will enhance the taste and texture. The slight cooling will allow the flavours to blend and intensify, giving you a more flavourful experience. The crispy exterior will also have a chance to absorb any excess grease, resulting in a less greasy popper. This resting period will also give the poppers time to reach their ideal texture. The slight cooling will allow the molten cheese to thicken and achieve a gooey, creamy consistency that is desirable in jalapeno poppers.

Finally, letting the poppers cool will improve the presentation. Serving the poppers at a slightly lower temperature will help maintain the integrity of the crispy exterior. This will result in a more appealing texture contrast between the crispy outside and the gooey inside. It will also give you time to garnish or plate the poppers, adding to their visual appeal. This short waiting period will ensure that you serve the poppers at their culinary peak, maximising the enjoyment of this delicious treat.

Serve with a dip

Jalapeno poppers are a great snack to serve at a party or get-together, and they go well with a variety of dips. It is important to let the poppers cool down a little before serving as the centres can be very hot.

• Ranch dressing
• Creamy jalapeno dip
• Chopped jalapenos mixed with cream cheese
• Sriracha mayo
• Hot sauce

You can also add extra spices to your dips for more flavour. Try adding a pinch of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, or just salt and pepper.

If you are serving the jalapeno poppers as an appetiser, it is a good idea to put them in the air fryer about 10 minutes before your guests arrive so they are ready to eat when people start arriving.

Frequently asked questions