Air fryers are the new trend for youngsters, there are plenty of appetizers and desserts that can be prepared in air fryers such as cinnamon rolls and jalapeno poppers.
Jalapeno poppers in the air fryer have all the savory flavor you love in this classic appetizer, but they’re even faster! They are perfect for when you need an easy game-day snack or delicious party food.
In addition, unlike other cooking methods, making jalapeno poppers in the air fryer only takes 10 minutes to cook.
However, since panko breadcrumbs are used in many jalapeno popper recipes, they are not keto. Always check ingredient lists to be sure! This air fryer jalapeno popper recipe is naturally low-carb and can be keto-friendly if you opt out of the panko crumbs part.
How Should Fresh Jalapenos Be Handled?
Have you ever had jalapeno juice in your eye? It’s on fire! But don’t be afraid: simply grab some rubber gloves.
Spicy peppers, such as jalapenos, aren’t a problem until you split them open—the heat is in the seeds and ribs. Scrape those away with a spoon, and you’re set to go. If you don’t have any gloves handy, you can simply place a half pepper, cut side up, in your hand. Scrape the seeds and ribs into a basin with a spoon, being careful not to touch them.
If the juices get on your hands, massage them with olive oil and then wash them with warm soapy water to cool off.
What Can I Do To Make Jalapeno Poppers Less Spicy?
These jalapeno poppers aren’t that spicy, believe it or not.
To reduce the heat, use a spoon to scrape out all of the ribs and seeds from inside the peppers. The stuffed peppers will be pretty tame once that procedure is completed and the insides of the peppers are a rich green color with little or no white remaining.
Want even milder jalapeno poppers? In the cheese mixture, replace the pickled jalapeno peppers with mild, diced pimento peppers, which are delicious like red bell peppers but have little to no heat.
What do you need to cook jalapeno poppers in an air fryer?
Jalapeno poppers are quite easy and you can even make them from scratch. All you have to do is prep some jalapenos and wait for them to be cooked in under 15 to 20 minutes.
Here is what you’ll be needing to make jalapeno poppers in an air fryer:
- Jalapenos are widely available in the produce section of most supermarkets. Try to get peppers that are all about the same size, and look for ones that are about 3-4 inches long.
- Bacon is used to wrap the poppers.
- Use whatever brand of cream cheese you prefer.
- Garlic powder – to add savory and aromatic flavor
- Scallions – for a burst of flavor. They taste like mild green onion.
- Cheddar – grate your own for maximum freshness and flavor from a block of high-quality cheese.
- Butter – is used to bind the panko topping and crisp it up in the oven.
- Panko is the Japanese version of breadcrumbs that you can find in a box alongside the regular variety at the grocery store. They’re less dense and lighter.
How Do you make jalapeno poppers in an air fryer?
Each jalapeno should be cut in half lengthwise and then cream cheese should be filled into each halve. Then add a pinch of garlic powder to all of them and add the scallions onto them.
Now top the jalapenos with cheddar cheese. Using panko is optional, you can either cover it with panko for them to be crispier or use bacon to secure them.
After stuffing with cheddar and spices, wrap each piece with a half or whole slice of bacon and secure it to the pepper with a toothpick that goes all the way through the bacon and pepper.
Now, set the timer for 12 minutes at 370 degrees Fahrenheit. Check your peppers after ten minutes to see if the bacon is crisp enough to your liking. Allow the bacon to cook for the full 12 minutes for crispier bacon.
In the end, remove from the basket and pat dry with a paper towel to absorb any remaining bacon grease. Serve right away, with your favorite sauce.
How long and at what temperature do you cook jalapeno poppers in an air fryer?
Normally you should preheat your air fryer and cook them at about 325 degrees F for about 10 to 14 minutes.
Keep in mind that you wouldn’t want your jalapeno poppers to overcook so it’s better to keep an eye on that time frame.
Tips for Making Good Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
Craving for something and not getting your desired taste is such a turn-off for your mood, all you have to do is follow the following tips to have the perfect wrapped air-fried jalapenos popper:
- Buy a bunch of large jalapenos that are all the same size. Smaller peppers won’t hold enough filling, so look for hefty jalapenos about the size of your thumb. Choose peppers that are all about the same size and avoid wrinkly or dull ones.
- If you want to make the peppers spicier, leave some seeds in them. This recipe calls for removing all of the seeds before filling the jalapeno poppers with the cheese mixture, but you can leave them in (or just remove some of them) if you want your jalapeno poppers to be a little spicier.
- To avoid burning your hands while preparing the peppers, wear gloves. Gloves prevent the dreaded “hot pepper hands.”
- Avoid using thick-cut bacon. Although tasty, thick-cut bacon isn’t the best choice for these poppers because it’s too thick to wrap around the peppers and tends to unravel when baked. Stick to standard sliced, center-cut bacon (about 12 slices per pound).
- Allow at least 10 minutes for the poppers to cool before serving. Because the filling is entirely made of cheese (and thus completely melty right out of the oven), it’s important to let the poppers cool before serving to allow the cheese to set.
Are frozen jalapeno poppers good for Making in air fryers?
Yes, frozen jalapeno poppers in the air fryer are as good as homemade ones.
The frozen jalapeno poppers cook in just 7 minutes at 180°C/360°F. This allows you to quickly make a batch during the Super Bowl break and then sit back down with them when the action resumes.
Reheat leftovers in an air fryer basket at 390°F for 3-4 minutes, or until heated through.
Tip: To avoid mushy peppers after thawing, cook the jalapeno poppers for at least a couple of minutes in the air fryer before freezing. You can cook them completely or just for a few minutes to reduce enzyme activity and avoid mushy results. Allow to cool and flash freeze on a lined baking sheet until solid. Then, place the mixture in a freezer-safe container or bag. Then, from frozen, reheat (or finish cooking) in the air fryer.
What can you do if your jalapeno poppers turn out soggy?
There can be times when your jalapeno poppers can turn out soggy. In the air fryer, jalapeno poppers wrapped in bacon should be slightly softened but still firm enough to pick up.
However, if your peppers are too soft, try the following tips to avoid them from getting soggy:
- Parboil the bacon. Separately fry the bacon in a pan (or in the air fryer) until it has rendered some fat but is still pliable. Wrap peppers and cook them as usual.
- Cooking time should also be reduced. You can make the recipe exactly as written and reduce the cooking time, but the bacon may not be as crispy.
What goes well with jalapeno poppers?
Jalapeno poppers are typically served as an appetizer to guests at a party, family gathering, or other function.
They are frequently served on their own because their flavor is strong enough to stand alone. On the other hand, if you’ve ever had any tasty side dishes with any fiery goodies, you’ll know that the flavors complement each other well and can be enhanced by combining different dishes.
By combining these flavors in the right proportions, you can improve the flavor profile of jalapeno poppers and other side dishes. Here are what you can pair your jalapenos with:
- Tomato soup
- Rice Pilaf
- Buttermilk Biscuits
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Green Salad beans with tomato
- Patatas Bravas
What is a good sauce for jalapeno poppers?
Jalapeno poppers are stuffed jalapeno peppers coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried or roasted. Many guests may not want a spicy dipping sauce because the poppers themselves are often spicy.
Selecting a good sauce can be tricky but you can always go with the most common one which is blue cheese sauce.
Blue cheese sauce, made from crumbled blue cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise, is frequently served with jalapeno poppers.
The spiciness is what you come across when you hear jalapeno poppers for the first time. Because the poppers themselves can be quite hot, creamy and cheesy dips are frequently used to compensate.
Some guests may prefer a spicy sauce to dip the poppers in, so spices such as cayenne pepper and paprika can be added to recipes to accommodate this preference.
How do you cook premade jalapeno poppers?
Yes, if you don’t have enough time to prepare them beforehand you can get a variety of frozen jalapeno poppers in the market.
There is no need to thaw these because they are cooked straight from the freezer. Follow these simple steps to make the perfect poppers:
- Fill the air fryer basket halfway with frozen jalapeno poppers. Take note that they should not be stacked.
- Cook for 5 minutes at 390°F. Then flip them and let the cook for about 5 minutes.
- These jalapeno poppers are perfect for a party, tailgate, or even as a snack.
You may not have any leftovers because they are so delicious, but if you do, store them in an airtight container. They should be kept in the refrigerator and can last up to 4 days.
The nutritional content of jalapeno poppers
Now you might be wondering if jalapeno poppers are worth a shot while you’re on your diet, below is a nutritional table to help you cater to your intake:
| Content | Serving 2 pieces (50 g) |
| Calories | 150 kcal |
| Total fat | 9 g |
| Cholesterol | 15 mg |
| Sodium | 270 mg |
| Carbohydrate | 14 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
Summary
- Jalapeno poppers are a famous appetizer for those who love spice and bacon.
- They can be served with different toppings and sauces to enhance their flavor. Cooking jalapenos in an air fryer can be easy for you and wouldn’t cause a mess.
- Frozen Jalapenos might only need to be cooked for 7 minutes, however, homemade ones are different.
- Follow the above-stated tips for yummy bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers and let me know how it goes.