These cheesy and crispy Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers are filled with cream cheese and topped with crispy breadcrumbs.
Cook these up in the air fryer in just 8 minutes for a super easy game-day snack, along with my Crispy Baked Chicken Wings and 7 Layer Dip!
I love, love, LOVE these cheesy, creamy bites of deliciousness.
Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers Recipe
This recipe comes together super quickly with just a handful of basic ingredients. They cook up nice and crisp on the top thanks to the buttery panko breadcrumbs.
Ingredients for Jalapeño Poppers:
Here’s a basic list of the ingredients you’ll need in order to make this quick appetizer. As always, you can find the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below.
- Whole Jalapeños
- Cream Cheese
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- Salt & Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Green Onions
- Panko Breadcrumbs – you can find this in the Asian aisle of the grocery store.
- Butter
How To Make Jalapeño Poppers in Air Fryer
This easy appetizer recipe comes together real quick, perfect for game day!
- Start by cutting the jalapeños in half, lengthwise, and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and membranes.
- Use a sturdy spoon to mix the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, green onions and spices together in a small bowl and then scoop the cream cheese filling into the center of each hallowed out jalapeño.
- Combine the panko breadcrumbs and melted butter together, then dip the cheese-stuffed peppers into the crumbs to coat.
- Cook in the air fryer for just 5 to 8 minutes, until the tops are golden brown.
PRO TIP: Wear plastic gloves when cutting the jalapenos and removing the seeds, and avoid touching your eyes.
How To Make Jalapeño Poppers Ahead of Time
You don’t want to spend the whole game-night in the kitchen and miss all the action, so making these ahead of time is actually super easy to do!
- Prepare the filling
- Stuff the peppers and coat with crumbs
- Wrap with plastic wrap and place in the fridge (up to 4 days) or freezer (up to 3 months) until you’re ready to cook!
If cooking from frozen, you will need to cook a little longer, until the tops are golden brown and the filling is nice and bubbly!
Can I Add Bacon?
Bacon Jalapeño Poppers are just as irresistible as the original.
I would add cooked, crisp bacon to the cream cheese filling before stuffing each pepper for a little bit of bacon in each bite.
Jalapeño Poppers in Oven
Don’t have an air fryer yet? No worries! These can easily be cooked in the oven as well!
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with foil and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until crisp on top!
More Jalapeño Recipes To Try
Love the kick of jalapeños and want to try something more? Here are a few of my favorite recipes…
- Cheesy Jalapeño Cheese Beer Bread
- Jalapeño Popper Deviled Eggs
- Cheesy Spinach Jalapeno Crescent Ring
- Jalapeño Ranch Chicken Sandwich
Easy Game-Day Recipes To Make
Here are a few, home-run recipes that always bring smiles to faces, and are perfect for game day!
- Easy Bruschetta
- Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
- Easy 7 Layer Dip
- Bacon Cheese Dip Party Ring
- The Best Guacamole
You’re going to LOVE these EASY Jalapeño Poppers!
Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 medium jalapeños, fresh
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 tbsp green onions, chopped
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Use gloves or extra care when slicing the jalapeños in half, lengthwise. Use a small spoon to scoop out all the seeds and membranes, to hallow-out the jalapeño halves. Set aside.
- In a small bowl mix together the cream cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, green onions, garlic powder, salt and black pepper until fully combined. Spoon the mixture into the peppers, about 1 tbsp each pepper.
- In another small dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs and melted butter and mix to coat the crumbs evenly with the butter. Dip the cream cheese part of the pepper into the crumbs and coat evenly.
- Lay the peppers in the air fryer in an even layer and cook at 375 degrees F. for 5 to 8 minutes.*
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Easy Goulash Recipe
Kirsten
These are phenomenal! I love that they’re not deep-fried or anything, makes me feel like “Yeah I’m eating a bunch of cream cheese, but I’m also getting my veggies in” haha. The crispy panko topping really makes this dish.
Tina Eve
I have been using this recipe for few years. Absolutely perfect, I just add a little parmigiana oil to the bread crumbs. I just wanted to share that sometimes the jalapeño peppers are much much hotter depending on where you are living! I moved from Jersey to North Carolina and wow add touch more cheese mix lol !
Lizzy
This recipe is so good and it comes together quick. Thank you for sharing it!
Sue Garrett
These were amazing! I blanced first and dipped in ice water then continued with recipe as written then wrapped the middle of each in small piece bacon. cooked in air frier 370 10-12 min.
Marissa K
Did you mean that you boiled first? And if so was this to soften up the jalapeños ? Thank you ! Happy New Year!
Joan Korowotny
Hardest and most time consuming was getting the seeds out. But so worth it – easy and delicious
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Cin
I was so surprised at how simple these poppers were to put together. I cooked mine for 6 minutes in my air fryer and they came out amazing. I thought there was no way I’d be able to eat them all by myself, but I woofed these down so fast. 10/10
CJ
Just harvested Hatch peppers and going to use this recipe!
Debo
Awesome recipe! This is my go to recipe for any gathering or to enjoy at home on a lazy weekend!
Liz
These were good as written but I think next time I will roast the peppers first to soften them up. Mine were still very crispy and it made it hard to eat without losing the filling.
mp
Wow amazing! Got rave reviews and devoured at our BBQ. I eyeballed the seasoninging and added a ton more green onions and it was so good!!
Lauren Mcwey
This was a winner for the Super Bowl party this year. I did not have Panko breadcrumbs, so I used crushed Fritos on top and baked in the oven. I also used a dollop of sour cream to make it more spreadable. I made ranch dip with the packet mix. It could not have been better. This is a keeper.
Roberta
I’ve made these 3 times and we love them and I add real bacon bits too! It’s nice to be able to refrigerate them and air fry them later. Thanks for a simple and delicious recipe, it’s now in my favorites list!
Tish Simpson
These were perfect! Will always use your recipe! Thanks for sharing it❤️
Amelia
This will be one I make again!
They came out perfect!!! My whole family loved them, including my boyfriend who was a chef and was skeptical about not making “them as a whole popper”. No dipping sauce needed. The taste was amazing on its own. 5 ⭐️
Lizzie
Easy to make. Loved it and will make them again.
Cheryl Kay Bralick
I have made these twice and they have been a huge hit both times! Soooooo good and sooooo easy to make.
Mollie
are these spicy?
Cheryl Kay Bralick
They are surprisingly not too bad as far as spicy. I even add Pineapple Habanero sauce on top of them and it is delicious
Rhonda
I’m new to air fryers, and this recipe was so easy and delicious! A few changes we made—we added bacon and omitted the salt. I only had a little bit of panko, so we ground up cheez-its for the crunch. It was amazing! 4 stars only because of the changes we made. The time/temp was spot on.
Jimmy nelson
I made these jalapeño poppers to go with our ribeye steaks and cordon the cob last night my wife and I loved them I made exactly as the recipe called for I used jalapeño peppers from our garden again they were awesome
Melissa Lopez
This has become one of my family’s favorites. I cook a lot of different dishes but this is quick , and oh so satisfying. Goes great w hot honey chicken tenders, and if you want something a little extra, Mexican elote in a cup. My go to for a quick , easy and delicious meal.
Trina Allen
My husband and adult son loved them!!
Shawn
So great to hear! Thank you for the great comment!
Correen
Thanks for this yummy hot cha’ ♥ cha’. Hubs and I decided to add crispy, crumbled bacon to cheese mixture – everything goes better with bacon. :>Right?
Shawn
The bacon sounds like a fantastic addition! So glad you enjoyed them!
Karen
Every year that I grow jalepenos I use your recipe for the extras that don’t make it into hot sauce or salsa. It is spot on amazing! This year I also grew banana peppers and used them too with your recipe! I think any pepper would be great with this filling and method. Thank you!
Michele Leclerc
These taste amazing! Super easy. Will definitely make again. I followed the recipe as written- no substitutions.
Niki
Just what I wanted! I’m doing low carb and I really wanted a snack that wasn’t cheese cubes. Admittedly I altered the recipe but I can tell it would be delicious as-is. I used crushed pork rinds instead of panko to keep the carbs down and smoked paprika for a kick. I didn’t use butter, just sprayed everything with oil mist. Mine were a little soggy to pick up so it took some maneuvering to get them out of my air fryer but they tasted great! PS: I second the tip about using dish soap to wash your hands of jalapeno oils!
Shawn
Fantastic! I’m so glad you enjoyed them Niki!
Meigo Fitzpatrick
This was delicious and easy to make! I didn’t have panko and used garlic breadcrumbs. Still really good.
Shawn
I’m so glad you enjoyed them Meigo!
Quinton
I followed the measuring directions and found the mixture too salty. Omit the 1/4 teaspoon of salt and maybe the garlic powder as well. The cream cheese and the sharp cheddar cheese will contribute to the salt content of this recipe.
Shawn
Thanks for your input!
Phil cox
I topped mine with fried onion staws (Like French’s) for more crunch. Oh yeah, I’m from Texas so gloves aren’t necessary to clean japs…but if you want a hand cleaning tip: use Dawn afterwards – that stuff breaks down the oils amazingly!
Phil cox
Dawn is good for poison ivy, too!
Shawn
Awesome tips Phil! Thanks for sharing!
Tvieira
Super easy snack to make, took me just about 20 minutes to make. I did over cook it so mine came out a little too soft to pick up so definitely follow the time on this. Great tasty recipe will be making it again !!