Air Fryer Tgi Fridays Poppers: A Quick, Crispy Treat

TGI Fridays' poppers are a beloved appetiser, with a crispy golden exterior and a spicy, cheesy filling. While they are usually deep-fried, they can be easily cooked in an air fryer. The process is simple and only requires a few ingredients and some basic kitchen equipment. The key steps are preparing the jalapeno peppers, making the cheese filling, stuffing the peppers, coating them, and finally, air-frying them to golden-brown perfection. The result is a mouthwatering treat that can be enjoyed as a snack or appetiser, with your favourite dipping sauce.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your food cooks evenly and efficiently, and can also affect the overall cooking time. For example, if you skip preheating your air fryer, you may need to add several more minutes to the cooking time for your poppers.

To preheat your air fryer for TGI Fridays poppers, you'll want to set the temperature to somewhere between 375°F and 400°F. Most recipes recommend preheating to 380°F, but you can go a bit higher or lower depending on your preference and the model of your air fryer. Set the timer for around 5 minutes to allow the air fryer to reach the desired temperature.

Once your air fryer has preheated, it's time to carefully place your poppers inside. Make sure to leave space between them so that the air can circulate properly. You may need to cook the poppers in batches if your air fryer is on the smaller side.

After preheating, you can proceed with the rest of the cooking process, following your chosen recipe for the rest of the instructions. Remember, preheating your air fryer will help ensure that your poppers come out crispy and golden, so don't skip this important step!

Prepare the jalapeno peppers

Preparing the jalapeno peppers is a straightforward process, but it requires careful handling and attention to detail. Here is a step-by-step guide to ensure you get the best results:

Firstly, wash the jalapeno peppers under running water to remove any dirt or residue. Take your time with this step to ensure they are thoroughly cleaned. Once cleaned, use a sharp knife to slice off the stem end of each pepper. This will create a flat base and make it easier to work with the peppers. Next, carefully cut each pepper in half lengthwise. This will expose the seeds and membranes, which you will need to remove with a spoon. Be gentle during this process to avoid tearing the peppers.

Removing the seeds and membranes is an important step as it helps reduce the spiciness of the poppers. If you prefer a milder flavour, you can take an additional step and soak the jalapeno halves in cold water for about 30 minutes. This will further reduce the heat of the peppers. After cleaning and cutting the peppers, you should be left with hollowed-out jalapeno halves, ready for stuffing.

In conclusion, preparing the jalapeno peppers for TGI Fridays Poppers involves washing, cutting, and seeding the peppers. This process ensures that the peppers are ready to be stuffed with the delicious cheese filling. Remember to handle the peppers with care and follow each step meticulously for the best results.

Make the cheese filling

The cheese filling is what gives the TGI Fridays Poppers their signature flavour. To make the cheese filling, start by gathering your ingredients: 8 ounces of cream cheese (softened), 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon of paprika, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. You will also need some mixing bowls and a fork for combining the ingredients.

Once you have all your ingredients, simply combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl. Use a fork to mix everything together thoroughly until you have a creamy and well-combined filling. Be sure to mix it until all the ingredients are fully incorporated and the filling is nice and smooth.

You can also get creative and add some additional ingredients to your cheese filling. Some options to consider are cooked crumbled bacon, diced jalapenos, or even bits of cooked shrimp for a seafood twist. Feel free to experiment and add your favourite flavours to make the filling your own!

Once your cheese filling is ready, you can move on to the next step of stuffing the jalapeno peppers. Remember to handle the peppers with care as jalapenos can be quite spicy. You may want to wear gloves while handling them to avoid any irritation. Now, you are one step closer to enjoying your very own homemade TGI Fridays Poppers, fresh from your air fryer!

Stuff the peppers

To stuff the peppers, you'll need the following ingredients:

• 12 jalapeno peppers
• 8 ounces of softened cream cheese
• 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper

Wash the jalapeno peppers thoroughly under running water. Cut off the stem end of each pepper, then slice them in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and membranes—this step will reduce the spiciness of the peppers. If you prefer a milder flavour, soak the jalapeno halves in cold water for 30 minutes.

In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Use a fork to mix the ingredients until they form a creamy filling.

Now, carefully fill each pepper half with the cheese mixture, ensuring it's evenly distributed. Be careful not to overstuff the peppers, as this can cause the filling to spill out during cooking.

Once all the peppers are stuffed, it's time to bread them. You'll need three separate bowls for this step: one with all-purpose flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs. First, dip each stuffed jalapeno into the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the beaten eggs, letting any excess drip off. Finally, coat the pepper in the breadcrumbs, gently pressing so they stick.

Now your jalapeno poppers are ready for the air fryer!

Bread the peppers

To bread the peppers, you'll need to set up a little assembly line of bowls. Start with a bowl of all-purpose flour, then a bowl of beaten eggs, and finally, a bowl of panko breadcrumbs.

Take each stuffed jalapeño pepper and first dip it into the flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, coat the pepper in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere to the surface.

This three-step breading process will ensure a crispy, golden coating on your poppers. It's important not to skip the flour step, as this helps the egg and breadcrumbs adhere to the pepper.

Once all your peppers are breaded, they're ready to go into the air fryer!

Frequently asked questions