Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

Name: Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 oz (170 g) cream cheese, softened; 8 medium jalapeños, halved lengthwise and seeded; 4 oz (115 g) extra-sharp cheddar, grated (about 1 cup); 5 oz (140 g) bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces; 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 3/4 tsp smoked paprika; 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, optional; 1/2 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; Cooking spray

Jalapeño poppers without a deep fryer. Cook bacon until crisp, toast panko in the rendered fat, then mix cream cheese with sharp cheddar and spices. Fill halved jalapeños, press the filling side into the bacon crumbs and air fry at 400°F until golden and tender.

40 min total
400°F / 204°C
8 servings
30 min prep

Jump to recipe See steps

Toast crumbs in bacon fat

Panko stirred in the skillet picks up smoky flavor and browns faster than plain breadcrumbs.

Press, do not sprinkle

Press each filled pepper filling-side down into the crumb mix so the topping sticks through cooking.

Tent if needed

If tops brown before the peppers soften, cover loosely with foil for the last minute or two.

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

Prep 30 min · Cook 10 min · Total 40 min · 8 servings

Air Fryer400°F / 204°C

Basket time10 min

Flip / shakesee steps

Tested onCosori 5.8 qt, 1700W

Crowding. 16 halves fit most baskets in one layer if spaced. Overlap and the cheese leaks.

Basket liner (optional). Air fryer paper basket liners are optional. They catch drips and make cleanup easier. Use the molded type that fits your basket; air flows around the sides. Never cover the whole basket floor with solid foil.

Step-by-step instructions

Follow each step in order. Photos show what to look for so the basket finish matches the plate.

Prep

Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until beginning to crisp, 4-6 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined board and chop finely.
Add panko to the bacon fat in the skillet and stir to combine. Return chopped bacon to the panko and mix. Set aside.
Mix softened cream cheese, cheddar and spices until mostly smooth. Fill each jalapeño half with about 1 tablespoon of filling, flush with the rim.
Jalapeño halves filled with cream cheese and pressed into bacon panko
Press each popper filling-side down into the bacon-panko mixture. Pat any remaining crumbs onto the tops.

Cook

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Coat the basket with cooking spray.
Arrange poppers in a single layer with about 1/2 inch between them. Lightly spray the tops. Air fry 7-10 minutes until hot, tender and golden. Tent with foil if the tops brown too fast.
Golden jalapeño poppers cooking in the air fryer basket
Cool 2 minutes before serving. Wear gloves when seeding jalapeños.