Air Fryer Poppers: The Perfect Appetizer

Air fryers are a great way to make jalapeno poppers, a popular snack made by stuffing jalapeno peppers with cream cheese and other ingredients, and then frying them. Making jalapeno poppers in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep frying, as it requires less oil and reduces the overall calorie content. The air fryer also offers convenience and speed, making it a quick and easy snack to cook for game nights or parties. The basic ingredients for jalapeno poppers are jalapeno peppers, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and breadcrumbs. The peppers are cut in half, stuffed with the cheese mixture, coated in breadcrumbs, and then air-fried for 5-10 minutes until golden brown.

How to make poppers in an air fryer without parchment paper or cooking spray

Ingredients

• 6 jalapeños
• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 6 slices of bacon
• 1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs (optional)
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder (optional)
• 1/4 tsp. smoked paprika (optional)
• 1/4 tsp. chili powder (optional)
• 1/2 tsp. onion powder (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Method

• Cut the jalapeños in half lengthwise.
• Rinse and remove the seeds and membranes.
• (Optional) Drizzle olive oil over the jalapeño slices and rub to coat.
• Use a spoon to scoop 1-2 tbsp. of cream cheese into each pepper half.
• (Optional) In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
• (Optional) Stir in 1/2 cup of shredded cheese and chopped bacon.
• Fill the jalapeño halves with the cream cheese mixture.
• (Optional) Top the jalapeños with the remaining shredded cheese and bacon.
• Place the jalapeños in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry at 370-400°F for 10-15 minutes, until the bacon is crisp and the cheese is melted.
• Remove from the air fryer and place on a paper towel to absorb any excess grease.
• Serve immediately.

Tips:

• Wear gloves when handling jalapeños to avoid transferring the juice to your skin, which can cause irritation if it comes into contact with your eyes or lips.
• Store leftover poppers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• To reheat, place the poppers back in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes until the cream cheese is melted and the bacon is warm and crispy.

How to make poppers in an air fryer with bacon

Ingredients:

• 5 medium jalapeños, fresh
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 tbsp green onions, chopped
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ⅛ tsp black pepper
• ¼ cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp butter, melted
• 6 pieces of bacon
• BBQ sauce

Method:

• Use gloves or take extra care when slicing the jalapeños in half lengthwise. Use a small spoon to scoop out all the seeds and membranes to hollow out the jalapeño halves. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, green onions, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until fully combined.
• Spoon the mixture into the peppers, about 1 tablespoon each.
• In another small dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs and melted butter and mix to coat the crumbs evenly with the butter.
• Dip the cream cheese part of the pepper into the crumbs and coat evenly.
• Cut the bacon slices in half and wrap each piece around a stuffed jalapeño.
• Lay the peppers in the air fryer in an even layer and cook at 350-375°F for 5 to 15 minutes.
• Once the bacon is crispy, brush the poppers with BBQ sauce and cook for a further couple of minutes.
• Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.

How to make poppers in an air fryer with breadcrumbs

Ingredients:

• 8 fresh jalapeño peppers
• 4 oz. (110 g) of cream cheese
• 1/2 cup (55 g) of shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1/2 cup (60 g) of panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon of melted butter
• Cooking spray or oil for greasing

Utensils:

• Sharp knife
• Small bowl
• Spoon
• Shallow dish
• Tongs
• Air fryer
• Food processor (optional)

Steps:

Step 1: Preparing the Jalapeño Peppers

Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the jalapeño peppers in half lengthwise. If you prefer milder poppers, you can remove the seeds and membranes. Rinse the peppers under cold water to remove any remaining seeds or debris. Leave the seeds and membranes intact if you like them spicy!

Step 2: Making the Filling

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Step 3: Stuffing the Jalapeño Peppers

Using a spoon, carefully fill each jalapeño pepper half with the cream cheese mixture. Ensure the filling is evenly distributed among all the peppers.

Step 4: Coating the Poppers

Place the panko breadcrumbs in a shallow dish and combine them with melted butter. Take each stuffed jalapeño pepper and gently press the filling side into the breadcrumbs, ensuring it is evenly coated. Set aside the coated poppers on a plate.

Step 5: Prepping the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for a few minutes. Once preheated, lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent the poppers from sticking.

Step 6: Air Frying the Poppers

Carefully arrange the coated jalapeño poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the poppers in batches. Cook them for about 6-8 minutes or until the poppers are golden brown and crispy.

Step 7: Enjoy!

Once the jalapeño poppers are cooked, carefully remove them from the air fryer using tongs. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving to avoid any burns from the hot filling.

Tips:

• Wear plastic gloves when cutting the jalapeños and removing the seeds, and avoid touching your eyes.
• You can make your own breadcrumbs using an air fryer and a food processor. Simply cut the crusts off some bread, place the slices in the air fryer until dry, and then blitz them in the food processor.
• You can make this recipe ahead of time and store the poppers in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. If cooking from frozen, simply cook for a little longer until golden brown.

How to make poppers in an air fryer with different types of cheese

Ingredients:

• Fresh jalapeno peppers
• Cream cheese
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Green onions
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Cooking spray or oil for greasing

Optional Ingredients:

• Sour cream
• Crispy bacon bits
• Crushed Fritos
• Smoked paprika
• Crushed pork rinds

Instructions:

Start by preparing the jalapeno peppers. Cut the jalapenos in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and membranes. If you prefer milder poppers, you can remove all the seeds and membranes. Leave the seeds and membranes intact if you like them spicy. Rinse the peppers under cold water to remove any remaining seeds or debris.

Next, make the filling by combining the cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a medium-sized bowl. Mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Now, carefully fill each jalapeno pepper half with the cream cheese mixture, ensuring the filling is evenly distributed.

For the coating, place the panko breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. Gently press the filling side of each stuffed jalapeno into the breadcrumbs, ensuring it is evenly coated. Set the coated poppers on a plate.

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking.

Arrange the coated jalapeno poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, cooking in batches if needed. Cook for about 6-8 minutes, or until the poppers are golden brown and crispy.

Allow the poppers to cool for a few minutes before serving to avoid any burns from the hot filling. Enjoy your delicious and healthy jalapeno poppers!

Tips and Variations:

You can experiment with different types of cheese in your poppers, such as:

• Replacing the cheddar cheese with pepper jack for a spicier kick.
• Adding some crispy bacon bits to the cream cheese filling for a smoky flavour.
• Using crushed Fritos instead of panko breadcrumbs for an extra crunchy texture.
• Incorporating smoked paprika into the filling for a smoky and spicy flavour profile.
• Substituting crushed pork rinds for the panko breadcrumbs to create a low-carb option.

How to make frozen poppers in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Fresh jalapeño peppers
• Cream cheese
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Spices (e.g. garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper)
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Cooking spray or oil
• Additional fillings (e.g. bacon, green onions, sour cream)

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Prepare the Jalapeño Peppers

Cut the jalapeño peppers in half lengthwise. You can adjust the spiciness by removing or keeping the seeds and membranes. Rinse the peppers to remove any remaining seeds.

Step 2: Make the Filling

In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and spices. You can also add other ingredients like cooked bacon bits or green onions for extra flavour.

Step 3: Stuff the Peppers

Fill each jalapeño pepper half with the cream cheese mixture. Make sure to distribute the filling evenly among the peppers.

Step 4: Coat the Poppers

Place the panko breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. Gently press the filling side of each stuffed jalapeño into the breadcrumbs to coat evenly.

Step 5: Preheat the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 375°F to 380°F. Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking.

Step 6: Air Fry the Poppers

Arrange the coated jalapeño poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Fry for about 5-10 minutes, until the poppers are golden brown and the cheese is melted.

Step 7: Enjoy!

Allow the poppers to cool for a few minutes before serving. You can serve them as an appetizer or snack, and they pair well with dipping sauces like ranch dressing or sour cream.

Tips and Variations:

• Wear plastic gloves when handling jalapeños to prevent the juice from transferring to your skin, which can cause irritation if touched or if it comes into contact with your eyes.
• If you prefer milder poppers, remove the seeds and membranes, and be sure to rinse the peppers after cutting.
• For crispier poppers, cook for a longer duration, up to 12 minutes.
• You can experiment with different fillings and spices to create your own unique variations.
• Store leftover poppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Enjoy your delicious and crispy air-fried jalapeño poppers!

Frequently asked questions