These air fryer jalapeno poppers are loaded with rich and flavorful cream cheese mixture, the right amount of seasonings, and topped with crunchy tortilla chips. Made in an air fryer, these peppers will take you just 6 minutes per batch and are healthier (and better quality) than deep frying.
Crispy, creamy, and crunchy jalapeno poppers - just like they should be.
If you still debating whether you should buy an air fryer, all the food tastes so good! It’s easy, QUICK to make, and reheat anything in minutes without almost any oil.
Air fryer is the best thing in cooking, honestly! I use my Cosori for anything from reheating food, baking, and making dinners that take only half time to make.
Serve this appetizer and other similar recipes such as Buffalo Chicken Dip, Crispy Pan Fried Tofu, and Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites at your next party. Your guest will love these, and it’s easy to make.
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Ingredients
My few comments on the ingredients + don't forget to read the Tips section!
The full recipe and ingredients can be found in the recipe card below this post.
- Jalapenos - fresh and bigger than average in size, preferably all the peppers same size.
- If some guests or family members can’t tolerate the heat, you can use small baby bell peppers instead or make half and half.
- Cream cheese filling - the filling itself is easy to customize with whatever you have but for the base cream cheese is your best choice. There is no best substitute here, and the closest would be to use thick creme fraiche or mascarpone (which is slightly sweeter in taste). You can add more ingredients to your filling, such as crumbly bacon or cooked sausage crumbles, ground meat, chopped bell peppers, cooked chopped mushrooms, red onions, chives or scallions, nuts. I used cheddar cheese but any similar favorite will also be just fine.
- Corn Tortilla chips - for gluten free I like to use these but you can also go for panko or regular breadcrumbs. You can even make your own gluten free crumbs.
Instructions
Prepare the peppers by cutting them in half and removing the seeds from the membranes.
Combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, green onions, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the mixture into each pepper.
Preheat the air fryer. Arrange the stuffed peppers in an air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 to 7 minutes.
While the peppers are frying, place the tortilla chips in a zip-lock bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
Right after the jalapeno is cooked sprinkle the tortilla chips on top of each pepper. Serve with scallions and/or Ranch Dressing.
Craving for more air fryer finger foods? My friend Chhavi from Yellow Thyme made a mouth-watering collection of easy 50+ air fryer finger foods that you can already make today!
Tips
- For more flavor, add cooked crumbly bacon to the filling.
- To make these peppers spicy, leave all or just some of the seeds i the jalapenos.
- Instead of tortilla chips, breadcrumbs, panko or regular gluten-free breadcrumbs can be used. You can make your own gluten-free breadcrumbs in just a few steps.
JULIA'S TIP Use common sense and a couple of gloves when handling these jalapenos. The best way to prep these is to use gloves cut them in half and scoop out the seeds with a spoon.
That’s it. The main source of ‘’heat’’ in these peppers comes from seeds, so after removing those these peppers do not taste as spicy as they would with them.
Love cream cheese recipes? I got you covered. Try our party favorite Stuffed Mushrooms perfect every time French Toast, the best Mashed potatoes, next.
Freezing And Storing Instructions
These peppers can be prepped ahead of time - a day in advance and stored in the fridge (Which is perfect for Potlucks). Fill these with the stuffing and keep them refrigerated and covered. On the day follow with air frying instructions.
You may need to add extra minutes when frying as the peppers and filling will be cold right out of the fridge.
The filling itself once mixed will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days just fine. Make sure to cover it.
Once you add the tortilla chips, it’s not a very good idea to refrigerate them and reuse them again.
The tortilla chips will soak up the moisture and become soggy in front of the filling.
If you want to store the leftovers, don’t add the chips.
Reheat in the air fryer the same way as described above but for little fewer minutes, right until the peppers are warmed through.
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 48 hours.
Easy Air Fryer Recipes
The air fryer has become my new favorite way of enjoying food, in particular veggies. The cooking time is reduced in half, the texture crispy, and the flavor is incredible. I use my Cosori a lot!
We like to serve these jalapeno poppers with other tasty party appetizers such as buttery Million Dollar Eggs, Chickpeas, Air Fryer Nachos and Buffalo Cauliflower Bites.
ALL MY SIDE DISHES AND APPETIZERS!
Want to explore more air fryer recipes? Please visit my Air Fryer recipe index right here.
More Jalapeno Recipes
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Recipe
Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers (No Bacon, Gluten Free)
INGREDIENTS
- 5 medium fresh jalapeño peppers (seeds removed, trimmed)
- 4 ounce cream cheese (softened)
- ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 2 tablespoons green onions (chopped)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- crushed corn tortilla chips ( for serving)
- 2-3 tablespoons sliced scallions (+more for serving)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Prepare the peppers by cutting them in half and removing the seeds from the membranes.
- Combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, green onions, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the mixture into each pepper.
- Preheat the air fryer. I used Cosori 5.8 quart. Arrange the stuffed peppers in an air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 to 7 minutes.
- While the peppers are frying, place the tortilla chips in a zip-lock bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
- Right after the jalapeno is cooked sprinkle the tortilla chips on top of each pepper. Serve with scallions and/or Ranch Dressing.
Video
NOTES
- Nutrition is calculated without the tortilla chips.
- This recipe makes 10 peppers, for about 5 people with 2 servings.
- For more flavor, add cooked crumbly bacon to the filling.
- To make these peppers spicy, leave all or just some of the seeds in the jalapenos.
- Instead of breadcrumbs, panko or regular gluten-free breadcrumbs can be used.
- Use common sense and a couple of gloves when handling these jalapenos. The best way to prep these is to use gloves cut them in half, and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. That’s it. The main source of ‘’heat’’ in these peppers comes from seeds, so after removing those these peppers do not taste as spicy as they would with them.
PRIVATE NOTES
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)
This recipe has been adapted from here.
Julia
Delicious air fryer jalapeno poppers to host your next party!
ik
The most infuriating thing is when an ingredient isn't accounted for in the instructions. WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE BUTTER??!
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
there is no butter!