Tasty Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

Finding crowd-pleasing appetizers for game day or casual get-togethers can feel like a real challenge. Between juggling different dietary preferences and trying to avoid spending hours in the kitchen, it’s easy to fall back on the same old chips and dip routine.

That’s why these air fryer bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers have become my go-to party snack: they’re quick to prepare, always get eaten up fast, and bring just the right amount of heat that keeps everyone coming back for more.

What Kind of Jalapeños Should I Use?

For jalapeño poppers, you’ll want to look for peppers that are about 2-3 inches long and have smooth, firm skin without any soft spots or blemishes. Fresh jalapeños can vary quite a bit in heat level – generally, the smaller ones pack more punch, while larger ones tend to be milder. If you spot jalapeños with little white lines or striations on the surface (we call these “stress marks”), heads up – these are usually spicier than their smooth-skinned cousins. When prepping your jalapeños, remember to wear gloves while handling them, and try to pick peppers that are similar in size so they’ll cook evenly in your air fryer.

Options for Substitutions

Need to switch things up with these poppers? Here are some handy substitutions you can try:

• Jalapeños: If jalapeños are too spicy, you can use mini sweet peppers or poblanos instead. For extra heat lovers, try serrano peppers, but remember they’re significantly spicier!
• Cream cheese: Cream cheese is pretty key for the filling’s texture, but you can use Neufchâtel cheese for a lighter option. If you’re dairy-free, dairy-free cream cheese works too, though the texture might be slightly different.
• Cheddar cheese: Feel free to swap cheddar with monterey jack, pepper jack for extra heat, or even Mexican blend cheese. For a different flavor profile, try gouda or smoked cheddar.
• Bacon: Regular bacon works best, but you can use turkey bacon if you prefer – just know it won’t get quite as crispy. For a non-pork option, you can try beef bacon too.
• Garlic and onion powder: Out of these? You can use fresh minced garlic (about 1 clove) and finely minced onion (about 1 tablespoon), or simply skip them – the poppers will still taste great!

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when making jalapeno poppers is dealing with the peppers – always wear gloves while handling and deseeding them, and avoid touching your face or eyes, as the oils can cause serious discomfort. When preparing the filling, make sure your cream cheese is properly softened at room temperature for at least an hour, otherwise you’ll end up with lumpy, hard-to-pipe filling that won’t blend well with the other ingredients. For the crispiest bacon wrap, avoid using thick-cut bacon which may not cook evenly in the air fryer, and secure the bacon ends with toothpicks to prevent them from unwrapping during cooking. To prevent the filling from bubbling over, don’t overfill the jalapeños – leave about 1/8 inch of space at the top, as the cheese mixture will expand while cooking.

What to Serve With Jalapeño Poppers?

These spicy, cheesy poppers work great as a party appetizer, but you can totally turn them into a meal with the right sides! Since they’re pretty rich, I like to balance them out with some crisp veggie sticks and ranch dressing for dipping. A cold Mexican-style beer or a margarita helps cool down the heat, while a simple side salad with lime vinaigrette keeps things fresh. If you’re serving these at a party, they go perfectly with other finger foods like chicken wings, chips and guacamole, or a bowl of chili.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers will stay good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Though let’s be honest – they rarely last that long in my house! Just make sure they’ve cooled completely before storing to keep the bacon nice and crispy.

Freeze: You can freeze these tasty bites either before or after cooking. For uncooked poppers, freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag – they’ll keep for up to 3 months. Already cooked? No problem! Store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

Reheat: To bring back that crispy bacon goodness, pop them in your air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes, or until they’re heated through. You can also use your regular oven – just place them on a baking sheet and warm them up at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	14-16 minutes
Total Time	24-31 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1500-1700
• Protein: 75-85 g
• Fat: 130-150 g
• Carbohydrates: 15-20 g

Ingredients

• 12 jalapenos
• 8 ounces softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
• 12 thin slices of bacon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step 1: Prepare the Jalapenos

Begin by cutting the jalapenos in half lengthwise.

Remove the stems as well as the seeds and membranes.

Be mindful that leaving more membrane will result in spicier jalapenos.

Adjust as desired based on your spice preference.

Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Filling

In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined, creating a creamy filling for the jalapenos.

Step 3: Fill the Jalapenos

Using a small spoon, scoop the cream cheese mixture into each jalapeno half, filling them just to the top.

Make sure to evenly distribute the filling for consistent flavor.

Step 4: Prepare the Air Fryer and Bacon

Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 3 minutes.

While the air fryer is heating, cut each slice of bacon in half.

Wrap each filled jalapeno half with one piece of bacon, ensuring the bacon is snug around the jalapeno.

Step 5: Cook the Jalapenos

Place the bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapenos in the air fryer, arranging them in an even layer so they do not touch each other.

Air fry at 350 degrees for 14-16 minutes, or until the bacon is thoroughly cooked and crispy.

Step 6: Serve and Store

Enjoy the bacon-wrapped jalapenos immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Alternatively, you can refrigerate them for up to 3 days.

If storing, reheat them in the air fryer or oven before serving to maintain their deliciousness.