These Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers are perfect for anyone who loves a little bit of spice and a lot of flavor! With creamy cheese, crispy breadcrumbs, and a kick of jalapeno heat, these poppers are always a crowd-pleaser!
spoon for scooping out seeds and membrane from jalapenos
Cheese Grater
large bowl
rubber spatula
Air Fryer
Ingredients
6jalapeno pepperssliced in half with seeds removed
4ozcream cheesesoftened
1tablespoonmayonnaise
½cupsharp cheddar cheeseshredded
⅛teaspoongarlic powder
⅛teaspoonground black pepper
½cuppanko bread crumbs
olive oil spray for cooking
cooked crumbled baconranch dressing and cilantro for serving if desired.
Instructions
To prepare the Jalapeno peppers, start by washing and drying them. Then, place them on a cutting board and slice them in half lengthwise. Be careful when handling the peppers as the seeds and white membrane can cause irritation to the skin and eyes. Use a small spoon to carefully scrape out the seeds and membrane.
Next, in a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix the ingredients together with a silicone spatula until they are evenly combined.
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. Take each of the jalapeno halves and add about a tablespoon of the cheese mixture to each one. Use a small spoon to spread the mixture evenly. After that, generously top the jalapenos with the panko.
Once the air fryer is heated, add the jalapenos to the tray and spray the tops with olive oil spray. Cook the poppers at 380 degrees for 5 minutes or until they are golden on top and the cheese is heated through.
Finally, serve the poppers immediately, garnished with cooked crumbled bacon, finely chopped cilantro, and ranch dressing for dipping.
Notes
Use gloves when handling jalapenos to avoid irritation to skin and eyes.
Make sure the cream cheese is softened for easy mixing.
Preheat the air fryer before adding the poppers to ensure even cooking.
Spray the tops of the poppers with olive oil spray to help them crisp up.