Emilie Meyer
Air fryers are a great way to make jalapeño poppers, a popular appetiser for parties, BBQs, or game days. They are easy to make, quick to cook, and can be made in advance. The natural grease from the bacon and jalapeños helps to prevent sticking, and the air fryer's tray with holes ensures that the bacon grease drains away from the poppers. The poppers are filled with cream cheese and topped with crispy breadcrumbs, and can be wrapped in bacon for an extra crispy texture. They are then cooked in the air fryer for 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Jalapenos, Cream Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, Bacon, Salami, Olive Oil, Parmesan Cheese, Panko Breadcrumbs, Toothpicks, Ranch Dressing, Green Onions, Garlic Powder, Salt, Onion Powder, Hot Sauce, BBQ Sauce |
| Preparation | Cut jalapenos in half lengthwise, remove seeds and membranes, fill with cream cheese and other ingredients, wrap with bacon, chill, preheat air fryer, cook in air fryer |
| Cooking Time | 5-15 minutes |
| Cooking Temperature | 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Notes | Wear gloves when handling jalapenos to avoid irritation, pre-cooking bacon can make it crispier, chill poppers before cooking to avoid filling spilling out |
What You'll Learn
Pre-cooking the bacon
If you choose to pre-cook the bacon, cut 6 pieces of bacon in half and cook them in the air fryer at 350º for about 15 minutes. You can then brush some BBQ sauce onto the bacon-wrapped jalapenos and cook for a couple more minutes until the bacon is nice and crisp.
If you prefer not to pre-cook the bacon, simply wrap each halved jalapeño with a halved strip of raw bacon and secure it with a toothpick if necessary. Place the wrapped poppers in the air fryer basket in a single layer without stacking or overcrowding, and air fry at 370-390 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes, or until the bacon is done to your liking. For crispier bacon, let it cook for the full 12 minutes.
Keep in mind that thick-cut bacon does not work well for jalapeno poppers, so be sure to use regular bacon. Halving the bacon lengthwise makes it easier to wrap around the peppers.
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Filling options
When it comes to filling options for your poppers, there are several delicious combinations to choose from. The most popular option seems to be a mixture of cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and ranch seasoning. You can also add cooked, crisp bacon pieces to this mixture for a little extra crunch in each bite.
If you're a fan of spicy food, you can add some chopped green onions, garlic powder, salt, onion powder, and hot sauce to the cream cheese mixture. For an extra kick, you can also soak the seeded jalapenos in milk for about half an hour before stuffing them.
Another option is to fill the jalapeno halves with a mixture of softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and green onions, seasoned with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. You can even top these poppers with crispy breadcrumbs for an added texture.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can try a unique combination of cream cheese, cheddar cheese, chicken, garlic powder, salt, onion powder, hot sauce, and green onion. This filling option will surely pack a punch!
For those who prefer a simpler approach, you can fill the poppers with just cream cheese and top them with crispy breadcrumbs. This option still delivers on the creamy and crispy texture combination.
Additionally, you can experiment with different types of cheese to change up the flavor. Try using sharp cheddar, or any flavored cheese that pairs well with the cream cheese. You can also add chopped green onions or bacon slices to this mixture before using it as a filling.
Lastly, if you're looking for a keto-friendly option, simply use cream cheese as the filling and wrap the poppers with bacon. This option is delicious and ready to devour in just 10 minutes!
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Chilling the poppers
It is also important to keep the cream cheese filling refrigerated until you are ready to use it. This will help to keep the filling firm and prevent it from becoming too soft, which could lead to it spilling out of the jalapenos during cooking.
If you are making the poppers ahead of time, it is best to do all the prep work, such as cutting, stuffing, and wrapping the peppers, the night before. This will help to speed up the cooking process when you are ready to cook the poppers in the air fryer.
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Reheating tips
If you have leftover poppers from a party or are craving their delicious taste, an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to reheat them to crispy perfection. Here are some tips to ensure your jalapeno poppers are heated evenly and retain their texture:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Arrange the jalapeno poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching each other. This allows for even heating and helps them crisp up properly.
- Use a slightly lower temperature than the initial cooking temperature. This prevents the cheese from melting too quickly and helps maintain the structural integrity of the poppers.
- Reheating typically takes 5-7 minutes, or until heated through and crispy, depending on the size of the poppers and your desired level of crispiness.
- Keep an eye on the poppers while reheating and adjust the cooking time as needed.
- For more spice, you can leave some of the ribs or seeds in the peppers.
- Serve the jalapeno poppers immediately after reheating for the best taste and texture.
- It is generally best to reheat jalapeno poppers only once to maintain their quality and texture. Reheating them repeatedly may make them soggy or cause them to lose their crispiness.
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Air fryer temperature
The air fryer temperature for cooking jalapeño poppers varies across recipes. Some sources recommend cooking the poppers at 400°F for 4 minutes, then reducing the heat to 350°F and cooking for an additional 7-9 minutes. This lower temperature of 350°F is also recommended by other sources, but with a cooking time of 10-15 minutes.
One source suggests that the cooking time depends on the size of the jalapeños, the filling, and whether they are breaded. If you are cooking frozen poppers, a higher temperature of 375°F is recommended, with a cooking time of 12-15 minutes.
It is worth noting that some recipes advise cooking the poppers at 370°F for 10-12 minutes, while others suggest a temperature of 350°F for 5-6 minutes or 8 minutes.
Therefore, the air fryer temperature for cooking jalapeño poppers can range from 350°F to 400°F, and the cooking time can vary from 4 minutes to 15 minutes, depending on the recipe and the desired level of crispiness.
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Frequently asked questions
Cut the jalapenos in half, lengthwise, and use gloves to remove the seeds and membranes. Fill the jalapeno halves with a mixture of cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and ranch seasoning. Cut bacon slices in half and wrap each jalapeno popper with a slice. Secure with a toothpick. Place the wrapped poppers in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding. Air fry at 350-390 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes, until the bacon is crispy.
Air fry the poppers for 10-15 minutes, checking after 10 minutes to see if the bacon is crisp enough for your preference. If you want crispier bacon, let it cook for the full 12 minutes.
Yes, you can make the poppers ahead of time and chill them for at least an hour or up to a day before cooking. You can also prep the poppers by doing all the cutting, stuffing, and wrapping the night before, then keeping them wrapped and refrigerated until you are ready to cook them.
