Our air fryer jalapeno poppers are simply the best poppers around. Cream cheese is blended with sharp cheddar cheese and crushed red pepper then wrapped with bacon and air fried for 12 minutes. A quick and easy appetizer for game day, holidays, and parties. Gluten-free.
Making the change from jalapeno poppers in oven to the air fryer is a game changer! It speeds up the cooking time while creating crispy yet creamy poppers. Our recipe for jalapeno poppers does not disappoint.
For more savory recipes like these jalapeno bites, check out our Mashed Potato Bites, Biscuit Pretzel Bites and Chicken Pinwheels. All gluten-free.
These jalapeño poppers wrapped in bacon and cooked in the air fryer are created using fresh jalapenos and filled with ingredients that are safe for individuals with celiac disease. This recipe is guaranteed to impress and it’s completely gluten-free.
You have the option to prepare air fryer jalapeño poppers with or without bacon, and they can even be made ahead of time (refer to the instructions below!).
While this recipe is a go-to appetizer, you can bet these poppers will be featured on the dinner table during the week too. Paired with Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast, Baked Pork Chops or Broiled Burgers, we look forward to adding these to the menu rotation soon.
To get started, gather the equipment and ingredients then follow the written instructions or printable recipe card. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- Jalapeno peppers: These vibrant green peppers are known for their spicy flavor. They bring the essential heat and kick to the jalapeno poppers. The jalapenos’ heat can vary, with some peppers being milder while others pack a fiery punch. When cooked, the jalapenos become slightly milder, making them more palatable for those who prefer a mellow spice level.
- Cream cheese: Cream cheese is a smooth and creamy ingredient that serves as the filling for the jalapeno poppers. Its mild and tangy flavor complements the spiciness of the jalapenos, creating a delicious contrast. The cream cheese also adds a rich and velvety texture to the filling.
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese brings a robust and tangy flavor to the filling of the poppers. The sharpness of the cheese intensifies during cooking and provides a savory note that balances the heat from the jalapenos. The shredded texture of the cheese adds a pleasant texture to the filling as well.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: These small flakes are made from dried, crushed red chili peppers. They are known for their fiery and piquant taste, making them a perfect addition to the jalapeno poppers. The crushed red pepper flakes provide an extra level of spiciness, intensifying the heat of the dish. They add a distinct flavor and a touch of excitement to each bite.
- Bacon: Bacon plays a crucial role in the preparation of the jalapeno poppers. It is used to wrap the stuffed jalapeno peppers, adding a smoky and savory element to the dish. The bacon becomes crispy during cooking, creating a delightful texture contrast with the creamy filling. Its rich flavor blends harmoniously with the spiciness of the jalapenos and the tanginess of the cheeses, resulting in a mouthwatering combination of tastes. The bacon also contributes a visually appealing aspect, making the poppers even more irresistible.
Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.
How To Cut a Jalapeno Pepper
Start by rinsing the jalapeños under cool running water to clean them. Place the rinsed jalapeños on a cutting board.
Trim off the stems from the jalapeños, and then proceed to slice them in half lengthwise.
Take a spoon and delicately remove the seeds and pith from inside the peppers. Set the hollowed jalapeño halves aside for further use.
How To Make
Preheat your air fryer & Prep the jalapeno peppers
Start by preheating your air fryer to 370°F for about 5 minutes. This ensures that it’s hot and ready for cooking. Wash the jalapeño peppers thoroughly and pat them dry. Slice each pepper in half lengthwise and use a spoon to remove the seeds and membranes. This step helps reduce the spiciness of the poppers.
Prepare the filling and fill the jalapeno halves
In a mixing bowl, combine the room-temperature cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix everything together until well combined. Spoon the cream cheese mixture into each jalapeño half, ensuring they are evenly filled. Smooth out the filling, so it’s level with the pepper.
Wrap with bacon and air fry
Take a slice of bacon and wrap it around each stuffed jalapeño half, securing it with toothpicks if necessary. Repeat this process for all the jalapeño poppers. Arrange the bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overcrowded to allow proper air circulation.
Put the basket into the preheated air fryer and cook the poppers for about 12-15 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the peppers have softened slightly. You may need to adjust the cooking time based on the size and thickness of the bacon.
Serve and enjoy
Once the jalapeño poppers are cooked, carefully remove them from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Remember to remove any toothpicks before eating.
If desired, you can serve the poppers with dipping sauces such as ranch dressing or sour cream to complement their flavors.
Pro Tip: Always exercise caution when handling jalapeño peppers, as they can cause skin irritation. Wash your hands thoroughly after working with them and avoid touching your face or eyes.
With these simple steps, you can enjoy delicious and crispy air fryer jalapeño poppers filled with a creamy, cheesy, and spicy filling, wrapped in smoky bacon.
Jalapeno Poppers in Oven
If you’re wondering if you can make the poppers in the oven the answer is yes, you can definitely make jalapeño poppers in the oven! The oven method is a popular and delicious way to prepare jalapeño poppers. Simply follow the instructions below:
- Preheat the oven. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Place on a baking sheet: Arrange the filled jalapeño peppers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Make sure they are spaced apart to allow even cooking.
- Bake in the oven: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the peppers have softened slightly. Keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.
Serving Suggestions
These cream cheese jalapeno poppers are the ultimate appetizer for Superbowl parties, family gatherings or any occasion with friends. If served alongside a large spread of appetizers, you are set to impress!
We know planning for an event can be overwhelming, which is why we have narrowed down a list of our most popular appetizers. Pick a variety of these recipes that are both kid and adult-approved.
- Savory Dips – Taco Dip with Ground Beef, Sour Cream and Onion Dip, Dairy Free Chicken Buffalo Dip, Spinach Dip with Greek Yogurt
- Sweet Dips – Cherry Cheesecake Dip, Yogurt Fruit Dip, Fruit Dip with Cool Whip
- Meatballs – Gluten Free Chicken Meatballs, Gluten Free Meatballs, Easy Swedish Meatballs with Frozen Meatballs
- Finger foods – Pulled Pork Sliders, Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp, Gluten Free Chicken Wings, Dairy Free Deviled Eggs, Gluten Free Crab Cakes
- Desserts – Frozen Cheesecake Bites, No Bake Peanut Butter Bars, No Bake Peanut Butter Balls, Gluten Free Edible Cookie Dough
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Storage
If you have leftover jalapeño poppers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s best to remove any toothpicks before storing them. Properly stored, they can last for 2-3 days.
To freeze, let the poppers cool then wrap them individually in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn.
Frozen poppers will last up to 3 months in the freezer so making a double batch to freeze extras is always a great meal prep idea. When ready to eat, simply add it back to the preheated air fryer to cook until warm.
Reheating
To reheat jalapeño poppers, there are a few options:
- Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the poppers on a baking sheet and bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melty. This method helps retain the crispiness of the outer layer.
- Air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through. This method can help restore the crispy texture.
- Microwave: Place the poppers on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high for about 30-60 seconds, or until heated through. However, note that using the microwave may result in a softer texture compared to using the oven or air fryer.
Regardless of the reheating method, keep an eye on the poppers to avoid overheating, which can cause the cheese to become too runny or the outer layer to become overly soft. Let them cool slightly before enjoying to avoid burning your mouth.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- The pith (the white part of a jalapeno) and seeds contains the heat – be careful not to touch your face or eyes after slicing. Wearing gloves is a great option when working with jalapenos.
- The pork bacon can be swapped with turkey bacon or you can make the poppers without any bacon.
- Use a small spoon to add the cream cheese mixture or place the mixture into a Ziploc bag, snip the end of the bag and squeeze into the pepper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, jalapeño poppers can be made ahead of time. If you plan to prepare them in advance, it’s best to assemble the poppers and refrigerate them until you’re ready to cook. You can then cook them just before serving to ensure they are fresh and crispy. Alternatively, you can partially cook them and then finish cooking just before serving.
To make jalapeño poppers less spicy, you can remove the seeds and membranes from the peppers. The majority of the heat in jalapeños is concentrated in the seeds and membranes. Removing them can help reduce the spiciness. Additionally, using milder peppers, such as Anaheim or poblano, instead of jalapeños can also yield a less spicy version of the poppers.
Yes, you can use different types of cheese for the filling of jalapeño poppers. Philadelphia cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese are commonly used, but you can experiment with other cheeses such as Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or a combination of different cheeses to suit your taste preferences.
Yes, you can make jalapeño poppers without bacon. Bacon is often used to wrap the stuffed peppers, but it can be omitted if desired. Simply skip the step of wrapping the poppers in bacon and proceed with the rest of the recipe as usual. The poppers will still be delicious and flavorful without the bacon.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Frozen Brussels Sprouts in Air Fryer
- How to Cook Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
- Air Fryer Potato Skins
- Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato
- Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
- Air Fryer Banana Chips
- Ninja Air Fryer Chicken Wings
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 large jalapeno peppers
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature ✅
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese ✅
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes ✅
- 1 pound bacon ✅
Instructions
- ⭐️Prep the jalapeños. Rinse the jalapeños under running water. Place onto the cutting board. Cut the stem off then slice in half lengthwise. Using a spoon carefully remove the seeds and pith inside the peppers. Set aside.5 large jalapeno peppers
- Blend the cream cheese mixture. Add the cream cheese, shredded cheese, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to a bowl. Blend well.4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature, 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Assemble to poppers. Add the cream cheese mixture to inside of the jalapeño peppers, dividing equally. Wrap each pepper half with bacon, securing with a toothpick if needed.1 pound bacon
- ⭐️Air fry. Preheat the air fryer to 370°F. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and the cheese is melted. Serve hot.
Notes
- Store up to 3 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.
- Reheat by placing back into a preheated air fryer and cooking until warm.
- When freezing, wrap individually in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn.
- Assemble poppers up to a day in advance then air fryer when ready to serve.
- Serve for an appetizer or dinner side dish.
Nutrition
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