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Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

These Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers are the ultimate appetizer recipe. You might have to make a double batch because people will be coming back for more!

AN AIR FRYER APPETIZER RECIPE

The air fryer has definitely become my best friend when it comes to making little appetizers. Especially if I don’t want to wait on preheating my oven. These Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers come out so good and I can make them relatively quickly in the air fryer. They are creamy and slightly crunchy. The perfect combination! So if you are looking for an amazing air fryer appetizer recipe then you really gotta try these jalapeño poppers!

closeup side shot of four jalapeño poppers stacked on a round plate.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Do I have to use the bacon?

No. Bacon really adds to the flavor. If you are looking to cut down on the time it takes to make these, try picking up a bag of bacon pieces (near the salad dressing in your grocery store.)

Are these spicy?

Since you are removing the seeds from the jalapeños, these are not spicy. The seeds are where the spicy hot flavor comes from. These might have a little kick but not what I would consider hot.

Can I use another cheese?

Absolutely! You can use your favorite shredded cheese here. Shredded cheddar works really well. If you want a little spiciness, try using pepper jack cheese.

What’s the best way to handle jalapeños when slicing?

It’s really important when working with fresh jalapeños that you either wear gloves or wash hands thoroughly after handling them. Do not touch your face (especially your eyes) while working with jalapeños. It will severely irritate any sensitive areas on your body that you might accidentally touch.

three jalapeño poppers shown on a round white plate.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

  • jalapeños 
  • olive oil
  • cream cheese
  • garlic powder 
  • salt and pepper
  • green onions
  • Colby Jack cheese 
  • bacon
cream cheese, jalapeños, green onions, Colby jack cheese and bacon.

HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER JALAPEÑO POPPERS:

Slice jalapeños lengthwise. Remove seeds and veins. Drizzle olive oil over jalapeno slices and rub them to thoroughly coat. 

sliced and seeded jalapeños on a cutting board.

Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil nonstick cooking spray. Even though the jalapeños are coated with olive oil, we want to be doubly sure they won’t stick. Place jalapeño halves into air fryer basket.

jalapeño slices put into the air fryer basket.

Air fry jalapeño halves at 400ºF for 4 minutes. (Air fryer does not need to be preheated first.) Let cool 5 minutes or until cool enough to handle. Place them upside down on a paper towel to drain any excess liquid or oil. 

jalapenos cooling on a paper towel.

In a bowl, mix together cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper until smooth. This might be easiest with an electric hand mixer. 

cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder and salt in a mixing bowl.

Stir in 1/2 cup shredded cheese, chopped bacon (reserving about 2 Tablespoons to top the jalapeño poppers with), and sliced green onions. 

sliced cheese, chopped bacon and sliced onions added to cream cheese mixture in a bowl.

Fill all jalapeño halves evenly with the cream cheese mixture. Then top jalapeños with the rest of the shredded cheese and the reserved chopped bacon. 

jalapenos being shown stuffed with cream cheese mixture and being topped with sliced cheese and cooked bacon.

Place all the jalapenos in an even layer inside the air fryer basket. 

stuffed jalapenos topped with shredded cheese and chopped bacon in an air fryer basket.

Air fry at 400ºF for 5 minutes (you do not need to preheat the air fryer first.)

fully cooked jalapeño poppers shown in an air fryer basket.

Then serve and enjoy!

closeup photo of a jalapeño popper with a bite taken out of it.

CRAVING MORE RECIPES?

Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers recipe.

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

These Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers are the ultimate appetizer recipe. You might have to make a double batch because people will be coming back for more!
5 from 9 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 9 minutes
Total Time: 29 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients

  • 6 large jalapeños
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 8 ounce block cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder 
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper 
  • 3 Tablespoons sliced green onions
  • 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
  • ½ pound bacon, cooked and chopped (divided use)

Instructions

  • Slice jalapeños lengthwise. Remove seeds and veins. Drizzle olive oil over jalapeno slices and rub them to thoroughly coat. 
  • Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil nonstick cooking spray. Place jalapeño halves into air fryer basket.
  • Air fry jalapeño halves at 400ºF for 4 minutes. (Air fryer does not need to be preheated first.) Let cool 5 minutes or until cool enough to handle. Place them upside down on a paper towel to drain any excess liquid or oil. 
  • In a bowl, mix together cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper until smooth. This might be easiest with an electric hand mixer. 
  • Stir in 1/2 cup shredded cheese, chopped bacon (reserving about 2 Tablespoons to top the jalapeño poppers with), and sliced green onions. 
  • Fill all jalapeño halves evenly with the cream cheese mixture. Then top jalapeños with the rest of the shredded cheese and the reserved chopped bacon. 
  • Place all the jalapeños in an even layer inside the air fryer basket. 
  • Air fry at 400ºF for 5 minutes (you do not need to preheat the air fryer first.)
  • Then serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Note: It’s really important when working with fresh jalapeños that you either wear gloves or wash hands thoroughly after handling them. Do not touch your face (especially your eyes) while working with jalapeños.
  • You can use the packaged bacon pieces instead of frying up bacon. 
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 77kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 5g | Sodium: 248mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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