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    Home » Air Fryer

    Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

    Published on April 27, 2023 · Updated on April 27, 2023 - This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See disclosure policy.

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    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    These Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers are one of those appetizers that are pretty quick and easy to make, and almost always a crowd favorite! Perfect for family snacking or parties!

    air fryer jalapeno poppers laid out on white parchment paper.

    Some dishes and combinations are an acquired taste, while some others become an instant favorite from the very first time. And for me, these cheesy jalapeño poppers fell into the latter category. I knew I loved them from the very first time I tried them.

    So even though I have made small tweaks to the recipe since then, mostly to boost the flavors a bit, I stuck with all the same elements to make the poppers. As delicious roasted jalapeños filled with spiced cheddar & cream cheese and coated with crispy toasted breadcrumbs make for the perfect combination texturally!

    And now these cheesy jalapeño poppers are my go-to whenever I’m making vegetarian appetizers. I just replace the egg with milk whenever I have to make it vegetarian (see recipe notes) and keep everything else the same.

    Plus these work out really great for parties as well, as it’s simple enough to prep them ahead of time, pretty easy to scale the recipe, and they are almost always a guaranteed crowd favorite!

    Smaller batches work great in the air fryer, as making these jalapeño poppers in air fryer takes less than half the time they take in the oven. But for bigger batches, it’s best to use the oven, to get bigger batches ready at the same time with minimal monitoring.

    Try them, if you haven’t already!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients for Jalapeno Poppers
    • How to Make Jalapeño Poppers
    • Step by Step Recipe
    • Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
    • Baked Jalapeño Poppers
    • Serving Suggestion
    • Air Fryer Recipes to try next..
    • 📖 RECIPE

    Ingredients for Jalapeno Poppers

    top shot of all the ingredients required to make jalapeno poppers, shared along with ingredient labels.

    Ingredient notes

    1. You can go with whichever size of jalapeños you want. It’s just best to keep them all of approximately the same size to cook them evenly.
    2. The quantity of cheese filling in this recipe is best for 5 jalapeños that are about 4 inch long each.  If your jalapeños are longer or shorter than that, then just adjust the filling accordingly.
    3. I’ve used a combination of cheddar and cream cheese for the cheese filling, and seasoned it with onion, garlic, red chilli & salt. You can go with just one or the other cheese if you prefer that, but I love the flavor I get from this combination, so I use both.
    4. You can substitute egg with milk ( see recipe notes) to make this vegetarian.

    How to Make Jalapeño Poppers

    • Start with fresh jalapeños. Take 5 mid sized jalapeños (each about 4 inches long).
    close up of fresh jalapenos used for making poppers.

    If you want to make more or less quantity than what I have shared, simply use the slider in the recipe card below to adjust the quantities based on your preference.

    Step by Step Recipe

    Prep the Jalapeños

    • Cut the jalapeños vertically into two, retaining the stem, and ensuring both halves are about equal in size.
    • Empty out the seeds from inside the jalapeño, to make a hollow space to fill the cheese filling.
    step by step photos of prepping jalapenos by vertically slicing it into two halves and then taking out all the seeds.

    Make cheese filling

    • In a small bowl, take 2 oz of cream cheese, and ½ cup of fresh grated cheddar cheese. I usually get a block of cheddar, and freshly grate the cheddar at home, because I like the taste of fresh grated cheddar best. But you can also use pre-shredded/grated cheddar cheese.
    • To it, add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, ½ teaspoon of red chilli powder & ¼ teaspoon of salt (or to taste).
    • Lightly heat this for a few seconds (5-10 seconds max) in the microwave, just so that the cheese melts a bit, and everything blends together easily. Then give it a quick mix.
    • When the cheese mix is ready, set it aside.
    step by step photos of making the cheese filling for jalapeno poppers.

    Make the flour mix / coating

    • In a plate, take ¼ cup all purpose flour / maida, and ⅛ teaspoon of salt and ⅛ teaspoon of pepper.
    • Mix everything together, and set aside.
    step by step photos of making the flour coating.

    Make the egg mix / coating

    • In a bowl, crack open 1 egg, and to it add 1 tablespoon milk, and ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
    • Mix everything together, and set aside.

    Note: You can substitute 1 egg & 1 tablespoon milk with just ¼ cup of milk, and keep everything else the same, to make this recipe completely vegetarian.

    step by step photos of making the egg mix.

    Get the bread crumbs ready

    • In a plate, take out ½ cup of breadcrumbs (or as needed).
    • I use Panko seasoned bread crumbs. But you can use regular unseasoned breadcrumbs too. If you are using unseasoned breadcrumbs, then just flavor it a bit with a pinch of salt & pepper, just like we did with other layers, so that every layer is seasoned.
    step by step photos of getting the breadcrumbs ready for coating.

    Assemble the Jalapeño Poppers

    • Start with filling all the jalapeños with the cheese filling.
    step by step photos of filling the hollowed out jalapenos with cheese mix.
    close up of cheddar and cream cheese stuffed jalapenos.
    • Then first coat the stuffed jalapeños with the flour mix, then dip it in the egg mix, and then finally coat it with breadcrumbs.
    • The best, most efficient & quick way to do this coating is by setting it up like an assembly line, and using one hand for dry coat (flour & breadcrumbs) and the other for wet coat (egg). Also best to do the jalapeño pieces without stem first, and then with stem; just easier to handle that way. [see video for a visual guide for filling and coating jalapeños]
    step by step photos of coating the stuffed jalapenos with flour, egg and breadcrumbs.

    Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

    • Pre-heat air fryer at 400 deg F (~205 deg C).
    • Grease the base of the air fryer basket. Alternatively, you can use an air fryer liner, and grease it.
    • Place the stuffed & coated jalapeños in the basket, and finally just add in a few droplets of oil on top of the jalapeños. Don’t spray the oil, as it might displace the breadcrumbs.
    • Air fry at 400 deg F (~205 deg C) for 7 minutes. This time can vary a bit based on your air fryer. So it’s best to rely on visual cues.
    • The Jalapeño Poppers are ready when the jalapeños are lightly roasted, the cheese is bubbling up, and a nice light golden crust has developed on top of the breadcrumbs.
    step by step photos of making jalapeno poppers in air fryer.

    Important air fryer note

    1. Air frying is easily the fastest method of making jalapeño poppers. But just know that when using this method, the cheese will start to bubble over really fast, at about the 5 minute mark, even while the jalapeños are yet to be done. So keep an eye on that, so that the cheese doesn’t spill over and make a mess.
    2. One way I counter this is by ensuring I don’t overfill the cheese, and making sure to coat an especially thick layer of breadcrumbs to contain the cheese. I’ve found this to help a bit with overflow, especially when using the air fryer.
    air fryer jalapeno poppers laid out on white parchment paper.

    Baked Jalapeño Poppers

    • Pre-heat oven at 375 deg F (190 deg C).
    • Take a baking tray, and line it with parchment paper.
    • Place the stuffed & coated jalapeños in the tray, and finally just add in a few droplets of oil on top of the jalapeños. Don’t spray the oil, as it might displace the breadcrumbs.
    • Bake at 375 deg F (190 deg C) for 20-25 minutes, till done.
    • The Jalapeño Poppers are ready when the jalapeños are lightly roasted, the cheese is bubbling up, and a nice light golden crust has developed on top of the breadcrumbs.
    step by step photos of making jalapeno poppers in oven.

    Serving Suggestion

    Jalapeño Poppers work really well as appetizers. Serve them as is, or with a dip of your choice.

    air fryer jalapeno poppers laid out on white parchment paper.

    Air Fryer Recipes to try next..

    ⭐️ Air Fryer Sabudana Vada
    ⭐️ Air Fryer Idli Bites
    ⭐️ Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken
    ⭐️ Air Fryer Chicken Wings

    As always, I hope you found this recipe useful. If you did, please let me know your rating ⭐️ and feedback 📲 in the comments below, or simply rate the recipe right on the recipe card. I’d really appreciate it. ❤️ 

    📖 RECIPE

    air fryer jalapeno poppers laid out on white parchment paper.

    Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

    These Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers are one of those appetizers that are pretty quick and easy to make, and almost always a crowd favorite!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 7 minutes
    Total Time: 27 minutes
    Servings: 10 poppers
    Calories: 678kcal
    Author: Shantala Shenoy Nayak

    Equipment

    • Gourmia Air Fryer
    • Air Fryer Liner
    • Baking Tray

    Ingredients

    • 5 jalapeños about 4 inches long

    For cheese filling

    • 2 oz cream cheese
    • ½ cup grated cheddar cheese
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste

    For flour coating

    • ¼ cup all purpose flour (maida)
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper powder

    For egg coating (*eggless option in notes)

    • 1 egg
    • 1 tablespoon milk
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper powder

    For bread crumb coating

    • ½ cup bread crumbs or as needed
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Prep the Jalapeños

    • Take 5 mid sized jalapeños (each about 4 inches long).
    • Cut the jalapeños vertically into two, retaining the stem, and ensuring both halves are about equal in size.
    • Empty out the seeds from inside the jalapeno, to make a hollow space to fill the cheese filling.

    Make cheese filling

    • In a small bowl, take 2 oz of cream cheese, and ½ cup of fresh grated cheddar cheese. I usually get a block of cheddar, and freshly grate the cheddar at home, because I like the taste of fresh grated cheddar best. But you can also use pre-shredded/grated cheddar cheese.
    • To it, add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, ½ teaspoon of red chilli powder & ¼ teaspoon of salt (or to taste).
    • Lightly heat this mix for a few seconds (5-10 seconds max) in the microwave, just so that the cheese melts a bit, and everything blends together easily. Then mix everything together.
    • When the cheese mix is ready, set it aside.

    Make the flour mix / coating

    • In a plate, take ¼ cup all purpose flour / maida, and ⅛ teaspoon of salt and ⅛ teaspoon of pepper.
    • Mix everything together, and set aside.

    Make the egg mix / coating

    • In a bowl, crack open 1 egg, and to it add 1 tablespoon milk, and ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. (see notes for egg substitute)
    • Mix everything together, and set aside.

    Get the bread crumbs ready

    • In a plate, take out ½ cup of breadcrumbs (or as needed).
    • I use Panko seasoned bread crumbs. But you can use regular unseasoned breadcrumbs too. If you are using unseasoned breadcrumbs, then just flavor it a bit with a pinch of salt & pepper, just like we did with other layers, so that every layer is seasoned.

    Assemble the Jalapeño Poppers

    • Start with filling all the jalapeños with the cheese filling.
    • Then first coat the stuffed jalapeños with the flour mix, then dip it in the egg mix, and then finally coat it with breadcrumbs.
    • The best, most efficient & quick way to do this coating is by setting it up like an assembly line, and using one hand for dry coat (flour & breadcrumbs) and the other for wet coat (egg). Also best to do the jalapeño pieces without stem first, and then with stem; just easier to handle that way. [see video for a visual guide for filling and coating jalapeños]

    Jalapeño Poppers in Air Fryer

    • Pre-heat air fryer at 400 deg F (~205 deg C).
    • Grease the base of the air fryer basket. Alternatively, you can use an air fryer liner, and grease it.
    • Place the stuffed & coated jalapeños in the basket, and finally just add in a few droplets of oil on top of the jalapeños. Don't spray the oil, as it might displace the breadcrumbs.
    • Air fry at 400 deg F (~205 deg C) for 7 minutes. This time can vary a bit based on your air fryer. So it's best to rely on visual cues. (see notes)
    • The Jalapeño Poppers are ready when the jalapeños are lightly roasted, the cheese is bubbling up, and a nice light golden crust has developed on top of the breadcrumbs.

    Jalapeño Poppers in Oven

    • Pre-heat oven at 375 deg F (190 deg C).
    • Take a baking tray, and line it with parchment paper.
    • Place the stuffed & coated jalapeños in the tray, and finally just add in a few droplets of oil on top of the jalapeños. Don't spray the oil, as it might displace the breadcrumbs.
    • Bake at 375 deg F (190 deg C) for 20-25 minutes, till done.
    • The Jalapeño Poppers are ready when the jalapeños are lightly roasted, the cheese is bubbling up, and a nice light golden crust has developed on top of the breadcrumbs.

    Serving Suggestion

    • Jalapeño Poppers work really well as appetizers. Serve them as is, or with a dip of your choice.

    Notes

    1. You can go with whichever size of jalapeños you want. It’s just best to keep them all of approximately the same size to cook them evenly.
    2. The quantity of cheese filling in this recipe is best for 5 jalapeños that are about 4 inch long each. If your jalapeños are longer or shorter than that, then just adjust the filling accordingly.

    Egg-less option

    1. You can substitute 1 egg & 1 tablespoon milk with just ¼ cup of milk, and keep everything else the same, to make this recipe completely vegetarian.

    Air Fryer notes

    1. Air frying is easily the fastest method of making jalapeño poppers. But just know that when using this method, the cheese will start to bubble over really fast, at about the 5 minute mark, even while the jalapeños are yet to be done. So keep an eye on that, so that the cheese doesn’t spill over and make a mess.
    2. One way I counter this is by ensuring I don’t overfill the cheese, and making sure to coat an especially thick layer of breadcrumbs to contain the cheese. I’ve found this to help a bit with overflow, especially when using the air fryer.

    Please note: The nutrition values are best estimates provided as a courtesy. The exact values can vary depending on the exact ingredients or brands used. If you rely on them for your specific diet and/or health issues, please consult a registered dietician or nutritionist.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 678kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 224mg | Sodium: 2315mg | Potassium: 528mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1910IU | Vitamin C: 84mg | Calcium: 574mg | Iron: 6mg

    Video Recipe

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    Hi there, I am Shantala, an Indian foodie in an American kitchen. Welcome to The Love of Spice - my food blog, virtual home & passion project, all rolled into one. On here I share Easy-to-Follow Family Recipes, along with tips on Indian Meal Planning & Lunch Box Ideas for Kids & Adults. I hope you enjoy the site, and find it useful. :) read more

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