Crispy Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
These crispy air fryer jalapeno poppers feature spicy jalapeños stuffed with a creamy cheese filling and coated in crunchy panko breadcrumbs. Perfect for parties, game nights, or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer, they’re quick to make and easy to customize for any diet.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 poppers (about 8 servings) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 large jalapeño peppers, fresh, halved and seeded
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 8 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)
- 2 tbsp green onions, thinly sliced (optional)
- Hot sauce for dipping (optional)
Instructions
- Wash jalapeños thoroughly. Slice each pepper in half lengthwise and remove seeds and membranes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of cheese filling into each jalapeño half, smoothing the top. Mix in bacon or green onions if using.
- Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs. Season flour and crumbs with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Roll each stuffed jalapeño in flour, then dip in egg, then coat with panko breadcrumbs. Press gently so crumbs stick well.
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and spray basket lightly with nonstick spray or brush with oil.
- Arrange poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- Let poppers cool for 3-5 minutes before serving. Garnish with green onions and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
For gluten-free, use almond flour and gluten-free panko. For keto, use pork rinds instead of panko. Wear gloves when handling jalapeños to avoid burns. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket for best crispiness. Let poppers cool briefly before serving to avoid molten cheese burns.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 poppers
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 5
Keywords: jalapeno poppers, air fryer, party appetizer, cheese stuffed peppers, crispy, easy, gluten-free option, keto option