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!
It turned out so good! Didn’t change a thing. Huge hit with everyone and will definitely make again!
– Sonya
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
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.)
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.
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.
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.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- jalapeños – I alias thought it was the seeds that made jalapeños hot but apparently its the ribs (or sometimes called veins) on the inside that carry the heat. So, to make these less hot, try to cut as much of that inner ribbing out as possible.
- olive oil or avocado oil – I find that olive oil and/or avocado oil work best in an air fryer – they are less likely to gunk up the basket.
- cream cheese – you could use Neufchatel cheese as well. It does need to be softened to room temperature – I have some tips on How to Soften Cream Cheese Quickly.
- garlic powder
- salt and pepper
- green onions – I absolutely love green onions on jalapeño poppers but it is optional.
- Colby Jack shredded cheese
- bacon – you could use the prepackaged bacon that you find in the salad dressing section of your grocery store if you’re pinched for time.
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. 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.
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 jalapenos 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!
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Originally published: December 2022
Updated and republished: June 2025
Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers (+Video)
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 6 large jalapeños lengthwise. Remove seeds and veins (this removes the heat). Drizzle 1 Tablespoon 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 8 ounce block cream cheese, softened to room temperature, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until smooth. (You can use an electric hand mixer if you prefer).
- Stir in 1/2 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese, chopped bacon (reserving about 2 Tablespoons to top the jalapeño poppers with), and 3 Tablespoons sliced green onions.
- Fill all jalapeño halves evenly with the cream cheese mixture. Then top jalapeños with the remaining 1/2 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese and the reserved 2 Tablespoons chopped bacon.
- Place all the jalapeños in an even layer inside the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 400ºF for 5 minutes.
- Then serve and enjoy!
Video
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.
Nutrition
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.
Made these today!! super delish!! I used Beef Bacon instead SO GOOD!! Beef bacon for the win!!
can I make these earlier in the day
Are you planning to reheat them? They are not good eaten cold and you’d have to store them in the refrigerator if not eating right away (because of the cream cheese)
It turned out so good! Didn’t change a thing. Huge hit with everyone and will definitely make again!
Thanks so very much Sonya! I really appreciate you taking the time to come back and comment!
we love this recipe and make it during the holidays.
Can you baked these instead of air frying?
Yes, I actually have a post that shows you how to convert air fryer recipes into oven recipes 🙂 https://www.thecountrycook.net/how-to-convert-air-fryer-recipes-to-oven-recipes/