Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers

Name: Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 fresh jalapenos, halved, seeded; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp onion powder; 1/2 tsp smoked paprika; 1/4 tsp kosher salt; 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs; as needed neutral cooking spray

Halved jalapenos stuffed with a creamy cheddar-cream cheese filling and coated in crispy panko breadcrumbs, air fried until molten inside and crunchy outside. A classic game-day vegetarian appetizer with none of the deep-fryer mess.

30 minEasyServes 4220 cal/serving

AmericanAppetizerAir FryerVegetarianLow CarbHalal-friendlyNut-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

Ingredients

12 fresh jalapenos, halved, seeded
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp kosher salt
2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
as needed neutral cooking spray

Instructions

1

Slice 12 fresh jalapenos in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and membranes. The more membrane you remove, the milder the heat.
2

In a bowl, beat together 8 oz softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/4 tsp kosher salt until smooth and well combined.
3

Spread the cheese filling generously into each jalapeno half, mounding it slightly.
4

Spread 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs on a plate. Press the filled side of each popper firmly into the panko so the crumbs stick. Spray the tops with neutral cooking spray.
5

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Place poppers in the basket filling-side up in a single layer.
6

Air fry at 375°F for 8-10 minutes until the panko is golden brown and the cheese filling is bubbling. Serve hot.

Questions

Can I make Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers dairy-free?

Not cleanly. Here the dairy (8 oz cream cheese, softened, 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded) is the backbone of the dish, and plant-based substitutes change both its texture and its flavor. If you need strictly dairy-free, start from the dairy-free appetizer collection instead.

Can I make Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs. Swap the bread or crumbs for a gluten-free loaf or gluten-free panko. Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Re-crisp leftovers in the air fryer at 350 F for three to four minutes; the microwave softens the coating.

Can I halve or double Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, air-fry in batches; a crowded basket steams instead of crisping.

Serve it with

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