Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

These air fryer jalapeño poppers are the perfect, easy appetizer. Filled with cream cheese, bacon and cheddar cheese and breaded, you’re going to love this simple, delicious recipe.

- Alida Ryder

Ingredients and Substitutions:
Jalapeño peppers. I prefer using fresh jalapeños but pickled jalapeños can also be used.
Cream cheese.
Cheddar cheese. Use mature/sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor.
Crispy bacon. I cooked the bacon in the air fryer until crisp.
Chives. Other herbs like parsley, basil or oregano will also be delicious.
Spices: Salt, pepper and garlic powder.

For the breading: Flour, eggs and bread crumbs. You can skip the breading step and press the seasoned bread crumbs on top of the cheese layer if you wanted to skip a few steps.

How to make jalapeño poppers in the air fryer:
Prepare the jalapeños: Half the jalapeños and remove the seeds and membranes.
Make the filling: In a medium bowl, combine room temperature cream cheese with crispy chopped bacon, chives and grated/shredded cheddar cheese. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder and stir together until combined.
Fill and coat in crumbs: Using a teaspoon, filled each pepper then coat first in the flour, then in beaten egg and finally in seasoned breadcrumbs.

Air fry: Place the jalapeño poppers in the air fryer basket in a single layer then spray with oil and air fry for 10 minutes at 400°F/205°C until crisp and golden. Remove and serve.

Can I make these ahead?
The jalapeño poppers can be assembled and kept on a plate in the fridge for up to 2 hours before air frying. Any leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer.