Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers (Printable)

Crispy jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese, cheddar, and chives, air-fried until golden and irresistible.

# What You'll Need:

→ Jalapeños

01 - 8 large fresh jalapeños

→ Filling

02 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
03 - 4 oz shredded cheddar cheese
04 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Coating

08 - 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Optional Toppings

10 - 2 tablespoons cooked crumbled bacon

# Directions:

01 - Preheat air fryer to 375°F for 5 minutes.
02 - Wash jalapeños and slice each in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to carefully remove seeds and membranes. Wear gloves if sensitive to spice.
03 - In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped chives, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Mix until smooth.
04 - Fill each jalapeño half with cheese mixture, mounding slightly on top.
05 - In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs with olive oil. Sprinkle or press breadcrumb mixture onto the tops of filled jalapeños.
06 - Arrange poppers in a single layer in air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary.
07 - Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes until tops are golden and jalapeños are tender.
08 - If desired, sprinkle with crumbled bacon immediately after cooking. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They come out of the air fryer with crispy, golden tops and tender pepper shells, no greasy mess or oven heating required.
  • The cream cheese filling stays soft and luxurious while the cheddar adds sharp, melty pockets of flavor.
  • You can dial the heat up or down depending on how thoroughly you scrape out the seeds.
  • They disappear so fast at gatherings that people always ask if you made enough.
02 -
  • If you skip softening the cream cheese, you'll end up with lumpy filling that won't spread evenly into the pepper halves.
  • Crowding the air fryer basket traps steam and prevents the tops from crisping, so patience and batches are worth it.
  • Leaving too many seeds in will make the poppers painfully hot, not pleasantly spicy, especially if your peppers are particularly fiery.
03 -
  • Use a grapefruit spoon or a small melon baller to scoop out the seeds and membranes quickly and cleanly without tearing the pepper walls.
  • If your air fryer basket has wide gaps, line it with a piece of parchment paper with holes punched in it to keep the smaller poppers from tipping over.
  • For a smoky twist, add a tiny pinch of chipotle powder to the filling or sprinkle smoked sea salt on top right before serving.
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