These air fryer jalapeño poppers are the perfect spicy snack for any occasion! Not only do these poppers feature all the crunchy goodness of a deep-fried treat, but this easy air fryer appetizer cooks in 5 minutes – perfect for holiday parties or game day gatherings.
Easy Jalapeno Poppers
Our easy Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers are filled with a flavorful mixture of cream cheese, shredded Monterey Jack, and some simple seasonings, topped with Panko breadcrumbs and cooked until crunchy.
The hot air from air frying gives these slightly spicy snacks a crispy crumb coating without deep frying in oil, so they are healthier than a traditional jalapeno popper with a similar taste and texture.
Making jalapeno poppers in the air fryer couldn’t be any easier: simply scoop out the seeds, stuff the hollowed-out pepper with the cream cheese filling, sprinkle on the breadcrumbs, and cook your batch in 5 minutes.
Air-fried jalapeno poppers are everyone’s favorite appetizer made faster!
Why We Love Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
- Quick and easy to make.
- Only uses a handful of simple ingredients.
- Vegetarian recipe that can also be made gluten free.
- Creamy, crispy, slightly spicy, and definitely delicious!
- Perfect appetizer or snack for tailgating, parties, or serving as a side dish for dinner.
Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers Ingredients
- Jalapeños
- Cream cheese
- Monterey Jack cheese
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Panko breadcrumbs: You can use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make GF poppers.
- Olive oil
- Cilantro
Substitutions and Additions
- Serve With Sauce: There are many different dipping sauces that you can use with these jalapeño poppers. Some popular options include ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, and hot sauce. You can also serve them with a side of sour cream or salsa.
- Choose Your Cheese: In addition to Monterey Jack cheese, you can also make your jalapeño poppers with sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella, or a Mexican blend.
- Add-Ins: Feel free to add some cooked bacon to the cream cheese filling before stuffing your peppers for a little bit of bacon in each bite. You can also include some sliced scallions, chopped onion, parmesan cheese, or additional seasonings.
- Spice Up Your Snack: Try adding some diced habanero peppers or more jalapeno peppers to the cheese mixture for some extra spice in your snack. Or add other spices such as cumin, coriander, or even cayenne pepper to amp up the heat.
Recommended Tools
- Air Fryer
- Small & Medium bowl
How to Make Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
- Prepare The Peppers: Cut the jalapeños in half and remove the seeds and the white membrane.
- Make The Cheese Mixture: Mix together the cream cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, onion powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Prepare The Panko: Mix together the panko bread crumbs and olive oil and press on top of the filling.
- Cook: Place the jalapenos in the basket of the air fryer in a single layer and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes.
- Serve: Sprinkle with cilantro if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
How To Make Jalapeño poppers in The Oven
If you do not have an air fryer, you can also make these jalapeno poppers in the oven. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, follow the instructions above but bake them in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes. You may need to adjust the cook time depending on how crispy you want them to be.
How To Handle The Heat
These stuffed peppers really aren’t that spicy until you cut them open. Since the heat is contained to the seeds and ribs, you can use a spoon to scrape away the inside of the peppers and you will be left with a rich green shell without the spice.
PRO-TIP: I highly recommend using gloves for this step, but if you don’t have any, make sure to scrape the seeds and ribs away from your body and wash your hands once you’re finished.
Tip From Our Recipe Developer
- When you handle spicy peppers, gloves help prevent accidental burns in your eyes or hands. Always wash your hands after preparing spicy peppers.
How to Store Jalapeño Poppers
- To Store: Store your jalapeno poppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 days.
- To Freeze: Store your jalapeno poppers in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for 3 months.
More Easy Appetizer Recipes
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Home Fries
- Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
- Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
- Air Fryer Garlic Knots
- Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
- Air Fryer Garlic Bread
- Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Steak Bites
- Air Fryer Broccoli
Air Fryer Jalapenos Poppers
Ingredients
- 6 medium jalapeños fresh
- 6 oz cream cheese softened
- ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese shredded
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Cut the jalapenos in half with a small knife or spoon, and remove the seeds and the white membrane. (Use gloves for this step or wash your hand just after you’re finished).
- Add the cream cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, onion powder, salt, and pepper to a medium bowl. Mix all the ingredients until well combined.
- With a spoon, take 1 tablespoon of the cheese mixture and press it inside the jalapenos pepper.
- In a small bowl, mix the panko bread and olive oil.
- Take about ½ teaspoon of the panko mixture and press on the cream cheese on top of the jalapenos.
- Place the jalapenos in the basket of the air fryer in a single layer—Cook at 400 ˚F for 5 minutes.
- Serve hot and sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro if desired.
Jenn’s Notes
- To Store: Store your jalapeno poppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 days.
- To Freeze: Store your jalapeno poppers in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for 3 months.
- When you handle spicy peppers, gloves help prevent accidental burns in your eyes or hands. Always wash your hands after preparing spicy peppers.
I made this tonight it was good, but I rather have cheddar cheese instead of Monterey Jack
I made this tonight it was good, but I rather have cheddar cheese instead of Monterey Jack
I make these alot. Wrap with bacon. Cook on a grill. On some of them, leave the ribs in, adds some heat, as a surprise! (I’m a little sneaky like that)