Air-Fryer Jalapeno Peppers: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

how to cook jalapeno peppers in air fryer

Jalapeno poppers are a delicious snack and a crowd-pleaser at parties, BBQs, or game days. They are easy to make in an air fryer and can be prepared in advance. The recipe includes halving the jalapenos, removing the seeds, and filling them with a cream cheese mixture. The jalapenos are then wrapped in bacon and cooked in the air fryer for 8 to 15 minutes, resulting in a crispy, tender, and cheesy treat.

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

Characteristics Values
Prep Time Minimal
Cook Time 8-15 minutes
Serving 3 poppers per person
Ingredients Jalapeño peppers, cream cheese, bacon, olive oil, toothpicks, spices, breadcrumbs, butter, shredded cheese, green onions
Tools Air fryer, gloves, toothpicks, paper towels, bowls, spoon, knife
Calories 77kcal
Carbohydrates 3g
Protein 6g
Fat 5g
Sodium 248mg
Fiber 0.3g
Sugar 1g
Storage Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3-4 days

cycookery

How to prepare jalapenos for air frying

Preparing jalapeños for air frying is a simple process, but it's important to take some precautions. When working with fresh jalapeños, it is recommended to wear gloves or wash your hands thoroughly to avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, as the juices can cause irritation or burning.

To prepare the jalapeños for air frying, start by slicing off the tops of the peppers and cutting them in half lengthwise. Using a small spoon, carefully scoop out and discard the seeds and white inner membranes, which contain most of the heat. Be sure to wear gloves during this step to avoid getting jalapeno juices on your skin. Rinse the jalapeño halves to remove any remaining seeds or membranes.

At this stage, you can choose to soak the jalapeno halves in milk for about 30 minutes before stuffing them. This is an optional step, but it can add a creamy dimension to your peppers.

Now it's time to fill the jalapeno halves. In a bowl, mix together softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and your choice of seasonings such as garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also add in chopped green onions for extra flavour. Stir the mixture until it is well combined and smooth.

Finally, fill each jalapeno half with the cream cheese mixture, dividing it evenly among the halves. You can also add a strip of bacon to each pepper for a crispy texture and meaty flavour. Wrap each pepper with half a slice of bacon and secure it with a toothpick. Your jalapeños are now ready to be placed in the air fryer!

cycookery

How to make the filling for air fryer jalapeno peppers

To make the filling for air fryer jalapeno peppers, you'll first need to slice the jalapenos in half lengthwise. Be sure to wear gloves to avoid getting jalapeno juice on your skin, which can cause irritation. Remove the seeds and white inner membrane with a spoon and set the jalapeno halves aside.

In a medium-sized bowl, mix together softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and any spices or seasonings you'd like to add. You can include garlic, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and green onions for extra flavour. Stir the mixture well until it's fully combined and smooth.

If you'd like to add bacon to the filling, chop it into small pieces and stir it into the cream cheese mixture. You can also wrap the jalapeno halves with bacon before placing them in the air fryer, so the bacon cooks and crisps up around the peppers.

Once your filling is ready, you can divide it evenly between the jalapeno halves, filling them just to the top. You can also sprinkle some extra shredded cheese on top of the filled jalapenos before placing them in the air fryer.

cycookery

How to assemble jalapeno peppers before air frying

To assemble jalapeño peppers before air frying, start by slicing each pepper in half lengthwise. You may need to wear gloves to protect your hands from the juices, which can burn or irritate your skin if touched with bare hands. Use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds and white inner membrane, and discard them. Rinse the jalapeño halves to ensure that all the seeds are removed.

Next, prepare the filling. In a medium bowl, mix together softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and any spices or flavourings of your choice. You can add garlic, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and green onions to taste. Stir the mixture until it is well combined and smooth.

Once the filling is ready, use a spoon to scoop it into each jalapeño half. Fill them just to the top, ensuring that each pepper gets an equal amount of filling. Wrap each stuffed pepper with a half or whole slice of bacon, securing it with a toothpick. You can also try brushing the peppers with olive oil or soaking them in milk before stuffing them.

cycookery

How long to cook jalapeno peppers in an air fryer

Cooking jalapeno peppers in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. The length of cooking time depends on the temperature you set your air fryer to and the crispiness you desire.

Firstly, prepare your jalapeno peppers by slicing them in half lengthwise and removing the seeds and white membrane. You can also remove the veins to reduce the heat of the peppers. It is recommended to wear gloves when handling jalapenos to prevent the juices from burning or irritating your skin.

For crispy jalapeno poppers, you can wrap the peppers with bacon slices and secure them with a toothpick. Place the wrapped peppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Depending on the level of crispness you prefer, you can air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes, brushing the peppers with BBQ sauce during the final minutes of cooking.

Alternatively, you can air fry at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes, checking after 10 minutes to see if the bacon has reached your desired level of crispness. If you prefer your bacon extra crispy, you can air fry for the full 12 minutes.

If you're short on time, you can also air fry at a higher temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 4-5 minutes. This will give you tasty jalapeno poppers in just a few minutes.

For an extra crispy coating, you can dip the cheese-stuffed peppers in a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and melted butter before placing them in the air fryer for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.

Remember to wear gloves or thoroughly wash your hands after handling jalapeno peppers, and avoid touching your face, especially your eyes. Enjoy your delicious and crispy air-fried jalapeno peppers!

Air Fryer Tempura: A Tasty, Crispy Treat

You may want to see also

cycookery

How to store leftover air fryer jalapeno peppers

Storing leftover air fryer jalapeno peppers is simple. Once they have cooled, place the peppers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They will keep for up to 3–4 days.

If you want to make the jalapeno peppers ahead of time, you can do all the prep work, such as cutting, stuffing, and wrapping the peppers, and then keep them wrapped and refrigerated until you are ready to cook them.

To reheat the peppers, return them to the air fryer and air fry for 3–5 minutes until the cream cheese has melted and the bacon is warm and crispy. It is not recommended to reheat them in the microwave, as this can make them soggy.

Frequently asked questions

First, cut the jalapeños in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and white inner membrane. Then, fill the jalapeño halves with a mixture of cream cheese, shredded cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and bacon. Wrap each jalapeño with half a slice of bacon and secure it with a toothpick. Place the poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 350-400°F for 8-15 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispness.

This recipe makes 12 poppers, with a serving of three poppers per person. Depending on the size of your group, you may want to make a double batch, as people often come back for more!

Yes, you can assemble the jalapeño poppers ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook them. Just make sure to wrap them with bacon just before cooking.

Jalapeño poppers can be served as an appetizer or snack, especially for game day or other gatherings. They go well with dipping sauces like ranch dressing or a creamy jalapeño dip. You can also chop up the jalapeños and mix them with cream cheese to make a dip.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment