Every time there’s a family get-together or a game night at home, someone always asks, “Are you making those jalapeño poppers again?” And honestly, I don’t blame them. They’ve got that perfect mix of creamy, cheesy filling with a crispy top that makes you reach for one after another. I first started making these because my brother used to order jalapeño poppers whenever we went out, and I thought—why not try them at home? Once I discovered how quickly the air fryer crisped them up, there was no going back.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe is that you don’t need anything fancy. Just a handful of ingredients, most of which you probably have in your fridge already.
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Whole Jalapeños – look for ones that are firm and medium-sized. The larger ones can be harder to cook evenly.
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Cream Cheese – softened so it mixes easily.
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Sharp Cheddar Cheese – gives that punchy flavor that balances the creaminess.
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Green Onions – adds freshness.
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Garlic Powder, Salt & Pepper – simple seasonings that do the trick.
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Panko Breadcrumbs – for that golden crunch (I once ran out and used crushed cornflakes—worked in a pinch!).
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Butter – melted, to help the crumbs stick and toast beautifully.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Them in the Air Fryer
Here’s how I usually whip them up:
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Cut each jalapeño lengthwise and carefully scrape out the seeds. (Gloves are your best friend here—I learned the hard way by touching my face once, and it wasn’t fun.)
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Mix the cream cheese, cheddar, onions, and spices until smooth. I like to sneak in a little extra cheddar because more cheese never hurts.
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Fill each jalapeño half with the mixture. Don’t overstuff or it’ll bubble out.
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Mix the breadcrumbs with butter and gently press the poppers into the mix so the tops get coated.
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Pop them in the air fryer basket at 375°F for 5–8 minutes until golden brown.
That’s it—crispy, cheesy perfection in less than 10 minutes.
My Make-Ahead Trick
One of the best things about these poppers is that they freeze beautifully. I often prep a big batch on Friday nights so I can pull them out for last-minute snacks over the weekend. Just line them on a tray, freeze until firm, then store them in a bag. Straight from the freezer, they just need a couple more minutes in the air fryer. Perfect for unexpected guests or when I don’t feel like cooking a full appetizer spread.
Adding Bacon (Because Why Not)
If you want to make them extra indulgent, crumble in some crispy bacon into the cheese mix before stuffing the peppers. I’ve served these bacon-stuffed ones at potlucks, and they always disappear first. It’s that smoky-salty bite that pairs so well with the heat of the jalapeño.
Don’t Have an Air Fryer? Bake Them!
For years I baked these in the oven before I got my air fryer. Just line a tray with foil, bake at 425°F for 12–15 minutes, and you’ll get a slightly different but still delicious version. They’re a bit less crunchy on top compared to the air fryer, but they still hit the spot.
Serving Ideas
I usually serve these with a simple ranch dip or sour cream on the side to cool down the heat. If we’re doing a full game-day spread, I’ll put them alongside chicken wings, guacamole, and nachos. Once, I even tucked a couple into a sandwich for lunch the next day—messy but so good.
Storing Leftovers
If by some miracle you have leftovers (which rarely happens in my house), keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. Just reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes to bring the crisp back. I don’t recommend microwaving—they’ll turn soft and lose that crunch.
Common Questions I Get
How spicy are these?
Not as scary as they look! Once the seeds are removed, they’re more mild and just give you a nice warmth.
Can I use another cheese?
Yes! Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or even pepper jack works if you want more heat.
What if I don’t have panko?
Regular breadcrumbs work fine, though panko gives the best crunch. I’ve even used crushed crackers in a pinch.
Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
If you’re looking for the perfect party snack, these air fryer jalapeño poppers are a must. They’ve got everything you want in a bite-sized treat—creamy, cheesy filling, a golden crunchy topping, and that little kick of heat from fresh jalapeños. The air fryer makes them wonderfully crisp without the fuss of deep frying, which means you can whip up a batch in no time!
Ingredients
- 5 fresh medium jalapeños
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 tbsp green onions, finely chopped
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Slice jalapeños in half lengthwise (wear gloves if you can!) and scoop out seeds and membranes with a small spoon. Set aside.
- In a bowl, mix together cream cheese, cheddar, green onions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and combined. Spoon about a tablespoon of filling into each pepper half.
- In another bowl, stir together panko breadcrumbs and melted butter until the crumbs are evenly coated. Press the cream cheese side of each stuffed jalapeño into the crumbs for a crispy topping.
- Arrange poppers in a single layer inside your air fryer basket. Cook at 375°F for 5–8 minutes, or until the tops are golden and the peppers are tender.
- Serve warm and enjoy while they’re cheesy and melty!
Notes
- Keep an eye on them: Air fryer times vary, especially if preheated, so start checking around the 5-minute mark.
- Oven option: No air fryer? Bake at 425°F for 12–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Make-ahead idea: Stuff the peppers ahead of time and refrigerate. Add the breadcrumb topping just before cooking.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 86Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 160mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 2g
Chickenrecipes.blog, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thought
These air fryer jalapeño poppers are one of those recipes that feels fancy enough for a party but simple enough for a Tuesday night snack. They’ve become such a staple in my kitchen that I almost always keep a bag in the freezer. If you try them once, you’ll see why—they’re addictive little bites of cheesy, crunchy happiness.
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