To make these Hot Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers, halved peppers are stuffed with cream cheese and cheddar and coated in a crunchy panko filling before being air fried to golden perfection. They’re an easy snack that’s ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for your Super Bowl spread or a casual gathering with friends.
Adapted from Lisa Lillien | Hungry girl easy consolation | St Martin’s Griffin, 2022
Whether you’re hosting a quiz night or a Super Bowl party, having a selection of hors oeuvres and morsels ready and hot at the same time is always a challenge. You have chili in the slow cooker, wings in the fryer and canapés with cheese in the oven. What now?
Enter these air fried jalapeño poppers. They’re quick to assemble, ready in under 30 minutes, and can be prepared quickly without taking up an oven or stovetop. Hosting matchdays just got a lot more fun.—Angie Zoobkoff
Why our testers loved this
Our testers were thrilled that these crunchy snacks were “Easy to make with easy-to-find ingredients” and loved the convenience of making them in the air fryer.
Jennifer W. followed suit with her comment, “Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers are true crowd favourite all Seasons. They are spicy and creamy with a touch of crunch thanks to the panko crust.”
Notes on ingredients
- whipped cream cheese–You can substitute regular cream cheese here if you prefer a thicker filling.
- Cheddar cheese-Regular or reduced-fat cheese will work in this recipe.
- Jalapeño Peppers –Choose large, firm peppers without blemish. If using undersized jalapeños, reduce the cooking time by 2 to 3 minutes and increase the number of peppers to use up all of the filling.
- protein-This will help the breadcrumb topping stick to the poppers. Save your yolks for hollandaise sauce or custard-based desserts like this lemon meringue pie or dark chocolate ice cream.
How to make this recipe
- Combine the cheese and half the garlic and onion powder in a small bowl. Mix the panko, salt, pepper and the remaining garlic and onion powder in another bowl. Place the egg whites in a third bowl.
- Halve the peppers and fill with the cream cheese filling. Dip the pepper halves in the egg to brush them, then cover them with panko.
- Set the air fryer to 390°F. Add the peppers and fry until golden brown.
Frequently asked questions about recipes
How spicy are jalapeños?
With an intensity of 2000 to 8000 Scoville units, jalapeños are considered mildly hot. Compared to other fresh chilies, they fall in the middle of the scale, with poblanos and shishitos being milder and Thai and habanero chilies being much hotter.
How can I make these less sharp?
If you are very heat sensitive, be sure to remove all of the seeds and the white membrane from inside your peppers after cutting them in half. You can also reduce the heat of your peppers by soaking them in a mixture of 1 part white vinegar and 3 parts water for an hour before cooking.
Can I double the recipe?
If you’re feeding a large group, you can double or even triple the recipe. However, you must air fry the poppers in batches. Fry only as many as will comfortably fit in one single layer in your air fryer basket at a time.
Helpful tips
- Always wear gloves when handling hot peppers and avoid touching your eyes.
- After cutting the peppers in half, hold them under water to easily remove the seeds and membrane.
- To make your jalapeño poppers sharper, leave some of the seeds and membrane inside after cutting them in half.
- If your jalapeño peppers are smaller than average, reduce the cooking time to 6 minutes.
- This recipe is suitable for a vegetarian diet.
More great air fryer recipes
☞ If you prepare this recipe or any other dish on LC, consider leaving a reviewa Rating in starsand your best photo in the comments below. I love hearing from you.–David
Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
These easy jalapeño poppers are filled with a creamy cheese mixture, topped with crispy panko, and air fried until golden.
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In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, cheddar, 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/8 teaspoon onion powder. Mix thoroughly.
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In a large bowl, combine breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, remaining 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder, and remaining 1/8 teaspoon onion powder. Mix well.
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Put the egg white or egg substitute in a second wide bowl.
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Halve the jalapeño peppers lengthways, remove the seeds and stalks. Divide the cheese mixture between the pepper halves.
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Brush the pepper halves with the egg, followed by the seasoned breadcrumbs.
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Spray an air fryer with nonstick spray. Place the pepper halves in the air fryer and spray with nonstick spray.
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Set the air fryer to 200ºC (390ºF). Cook until golden and tender, about 8 minutes. Remove from the air fryer and serve immediately.
- Protect your hands –Always wear gloves when handling hot peppers and avoid touching your eyes.
- Easily Remove Seeds–After cutting the peppers in half, hold them under water to easily remove the seeds and membrane.
- Make it spicier –To make your jalapeño poppers sharper, leave some of the seeds and membrane inside after cutting them in half.
- For small jalapeños–If your jalapeño peppers are smaller than average, reduce the cooking time to 6 minutes.
- Nutrition-This recipe is suitable for a vegetarian diet.
Portion: 1poppersCalories: 66kcal (3%)Carbohydrates: 4G (1%)Protein: 3G (6%)Fat: 4G (6%)Saturated Fatty Acids: 3G (19%)Polyunsaturated fat: 0.3GMonounsaturated fatty acids: 1GCholesterol: 12mg (4%)Sodium: 138mg (6%)Potassium: 58mg (2%)Fiber: 0.4G (2%)Sugar: 1G (1%)Vitamin A: 231ie (5%)Vitamin C: 8thmg (10%)Calcium: 37mg (4%)Iron: 0.2mg (1%)
If you make this recipe, take a picture and tag it with a hashtag #LeitesCulinaria. We would love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook and others Twitter.
Recipe tester reviews
If you make this recipe, take a picture and tag it with a hashtag #LeitesCulinaria. We would love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook and others Twitter.