Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
It’s not game day without Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers! Tender jalapeño peppers are filled with a creamy, cheesy filling and wrapped in crispy bacon for the ultimate bites. They can be assembled up to 2 days in advance and they cook up in 8-10 minutes! Recipe includes oven baked option.
I’m a huge football fan, so I love this time of year. There are so many exciting football games to watch during the playoff season, and that leads us to the biggest game of the year — the Super Bowl!
While I love watching the game, the food is just as important. It wouldn’t be game day without delicious snacks like homemade guacamole and baked zucchini chips!
I often utilize my trusty air fryer to prepare tasty tailgating snacks as well. My air fryer chicken wings are so crisp and juicy, and my air fryer sweet potato fries are downright addictive as well.
My latest obsession is these Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers! Sure, you can bake them in the oven like my stuffed jalapeños (I’ve included an option for that in the recipe card below), but this method is so much faster, even if you have to cook them in batches.
The jalapeño peppers are perfectly tender and the bacon is crispy in a matter of 8-10 minutes, and you don’t have to wait for the oven to preheat.
They’re so amazing, I don’t think I’ll be able to watch football without them again. 🙂
Love the air fryer? Get more easy air fryer recipes.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers are tender, cheesy and wrapped in crispy bacon for the ultimate game day appetizer.
- They come together in minutes with just a few ingredients, and they can be assembled entirely in advance.
- They cook up in the air fryer in 8-10 minutes, or in the oven in about 15-20 minutes.
- They’re gluten-free and low carb, and they can be customized a number of ways.
Recipe ingredients
- Jalapeño peppers. For best results, use fresh jalapeño peppers that are firm and free of discoloration. If you want mellow spiciness, choose smooth jalapeños and be sure to discard all of the seeds and white pith. For spicy jalapeño peppers, choose older ones that have a shriveled or wrinkled appearance and even some red coloring, and do not remove the white membrane.
- Cream cheese. Allow the cream cheese to soften at room temperature for a few hours prior to preparing the jalapeño popper filling.
- Garlic. I love adding fresh garlic to the filling as it adds great flavor. You can sub with 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or omit altogether.
- Smoked paprika. This adds a nice smoky flavor and slightly orange hue to the filling. Sub with your favorite seasoning or omit altogether.
- Cheese. I prefer using grated cheddar cheese in the filling, but you can substitute with your favorite cheese such as parmesan, Monterey jack, etc.
- Bacon. For best results, use thinner cut bacon as it crisps up faster. Omit the bacon altogether to make vegetarian jalapeño poppers.
How to make bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers
Making bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers in the air fryer couldn’t be easier! There are just a few ingredients and they come together quickly.
No air fryer? See the recipe card below for instructions to bake them in the oven.
Pro tip: Assemble air fryer jalapeño poppers up to 2 days in advance, then wrap with bacon just before you’re ready to cook them.
See the recipe card below for full instructions.
- Prepare the jalapeño popper filling.
- Halve the jalapeño peppers lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and white membrane with a spoon.
- Divide the filling between the (12) halves.
- Wrap each jalapeño halve with 1/2 slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- Place as many poppers as you can in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes, checking halfway through to make sure the toothpick is still securely fastened.
Recipe FAQs
Yes it does. Most of the spiciness is in the seeds and white membrane, so be sure to remove them for mild jalapeño poppers.
If you like it spicy, remove the seeds but leave the white membrane.
It takes 8-10 minutes to cook poppers in the air fryer at a temperature of 375 degrees. Be sure to check for doneness after 8 minutes as all air fryer temperatures vary, and cooking time will vary based on the size of your jalapeño peppers.
You will more than likely need to cook them in (2) batches depending on the size of your air fryer basket, but it’s still quicker than baking them in the oven as there is no preheating necessary. Simply pop them in and cook! 
When the peppers are tender, the filling is golden, and the bacon is crispy, the poppers are done.
Be careful not to overcook as the filling may ooze over the sides. It’s ok if this happens, however! Simply scoop it back into the poppers and let cool for 1-2 minutes before serving.
You can prep and assemble the poppers up to 1-2 days in advance, but I recommend wrapping them in bacon just before you’re ready to cook them.
Once cooked, the poppers keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
These poppers are great on their own, or you can serve with a dipping sauce such as Greek yogurt ranch, Greek tzatziki or bbq sauce.
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: Assemble air fryer jalapeño poppers up to 2 days in advance, then wrap with bacon just before you’re ready to cook them.
- Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your jalapeños.
- No air fryer? Bake the poppers in the oven at 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes or until tender and the bacon is crisp.
- Change up your cream cheese filling with your favorite herbs, spices and grated cheese.
- Store leftover bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
More game day appetizers you’ll love:
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 fresh jalapeños about medium size
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika optional
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 6 slices thin cut bacon halved width-wise
- freshly chopped parsley, for garnish optional
Instructions
- Cut the jalapeños in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and white inner membrane. Set aside.6 fresh jalapeños
- Place the softened cream cheese, garlic, smoked paprika, salt, pepper and grated cheddar cheese in a medium bowl and stir well to combine.4 ounces cream cheese, 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
- Divide the mixture evenly between the (12) jalapeño pepper halves, filling them just to the top of the sides. Wrap each pepper with bacon and secure with a wooden toothpick.
- Place the bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers in the air fryer basket in a single layer (you may need to cook them in 2 batches) and cook at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes, checking for doneness after 8 minutes as all air fryer temperatures vary. Check the poppers after 5 minutes to ensure that the bacon is still securely fastened and that they haven't shifted.6 slices thin cut bacon
- Place on a serving plate and let stand 1-2 minutes until cool enough to handle. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and enjoy!freshly chopped parsley, for garnish
Notes
- Pro tip: Assemble air fryer jalapeño poppers up to 2 days in advance, then wrap with bacon just before you’re ready to cook them.
- Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your jalapeños.
- No air fryer? Bake the poppers in the oven at 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes or until tender and the bacon is crisp.
- Change up your cream cheese filling with your favorite herbs, spices and grated cheese.
- Store leftover bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
