Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers: Bacon-Wrapped Delight

Bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers are a delicious snack that can be made in an air fryer in under 30 minutes. They are the perfect appetiser for parties, BBQs or game days. The crispiness of the bacon on the outside and the melted cheese on the inside make for a delightful combination.

How to prepare the jalapenos

Preparing the jalapenos is a straightforward process, but it's important to be cautious to avoid any irritation. It's recommended to wear gloves when handling jalapenos to prevent the juices from transferring to your skin, which can cause burning or irritation to your eyes or lips.

Firstly, cut the stems off the jalapenos, staying as close to the stem as possible. This will help create a boat shape to hold the filling. Then, cut the jalapenos in half lengthwise. Next, use a small spoon to carefully scoop out and discard the seeds and membranes. If you prefer your poppers on the spicier side, leave some of the membranes in the pepper, as this is the part that contains the heat.

Now your jalapenos are ready to be filled with the delicious cream cheese mixture!

How to make the filling

To make the filling for your bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers, you'll need a mix of cheeses and some seasoning. The exact ingredients and measurements will depend on your taste preferences and how many poppers you want to make. Here is a guide on how to make the filling:

Firstly, gather your ingredients. Most recipes suggest using softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and some form of seasoning. For the seasoning, you could use garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. You could also add in some extra spices like paprika, or a pinch of Tajin for some extra heat. If you want to get creative, you can add in chopped green onions, or even some bacon bits to the mix.

Next, add your ingredients to a bowl and mix them together. Use a small bowl and a spoon to combine the ingredients. You can adjust the measurements of each ingredient to your taste preferences, but make sure you have enough filling to generously fill each jalapeno half.

Now you're ready to fill your jalapenos. Use a small spoon to fill each jalapeno half with the cheese mixture. Be careful not to overfill the jalapenos, as the filling may spill out when you wrap the bacon around them.

Finally, wrap each filled jalapeno with a slice of bacon, securing it with a toothpick if necessary. Place the wrapped poppers in the air fryer, being careful not to let them touch each other, and cook until the bacon is crispy.

You can prepare the jalapeno poppers ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook them.

How to wrap the jalapenos in bacon

To wrap the jalapenos in bacon, start by halving the peppers and removing the seeds and membranes. If you prefer your jalapeno poppers to be spicier, you can leave some of the membranes in the pepper.

Next, fill the jalapenos with the cream cheese mixture. Be careful not to overfill the peppers as this can cause the mixture to spill out when you wrap them in bacon.

Now, cut each slice of bacon in half and wrap each jalapeno half in a single piece of bacon. You can use a toothpick to secure the bacon to the pepper.

Finally, place the bacon-wrapped jalapenos in the air fryer in a single layer, making sure they don't touch each other. This will ensure that the bacon cooks evenly.

How long to cook the poppers for

The cooking time for your jalapeno poppers will depend on the temperature of your air fryer and how crispy you like your bacon. If you're cooking at 350º, you should air fry your poppers for 14-16 minutes. If you're cooking at 370º, 10-12 minutes should be enough. If you're cooking at 390º, 10 minutes will be sufficient, but you can cook for up to 12 minutes if you prefer crispier bacon.

It's important to keep an eye on your jalapeno poppers while they're cooking, as different air fryers cook at different speeds. If you notice the cream cheese filling or the jalapenos themselves browning too quickly, turn the temperature down by 20º and continue cooking.

What to serve with jalapeno poppers

Jalapeno poppers are a section of a meal, often served as an appetiser or side dish. They are spicy, creamy, and crispy, so a good rule of thumb is to serve them with something that will cool down the palate, like a refreshing salad, or a creamy dip.

• Salads: A sweet corn salad, or a black bean salad with corn, tomatoes, onions, and a zesty dressing.
• Dips: Spinach artichoke dip, guacamole, salsa, or a cucumber yoghurt dip.
• Bread: Warm, crusty garlic bread, or ciabatta bread.
• Meat: Grilled carne asada, or chicken breast.
• Rice and Beans: Mexican rice, or refried beans.
• Other: Loaded nachos, grilled pineapple, or chicken wings.

Frequently asked questions