It's a proven fact: an air fryer transforms the way you cook! This handy oven speeds up the cook time of jalapeño poppers—one of the best foods for tailgating or finger food for serving a crowd—to only five minutes per batch. Just five minutes and all that cheesy, spicy, crunchy deliciousness is yours! Of all the many air fryer recipes out there, these air fryer jalapeño poppers are one of the best—your guests are guaranteed to love it!
Ingredients
- 12
jalapeño peppers
- 2 c.
shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 5 oz.)
- 4 oz.
cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp.
mayonnaise
- 4
slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 c.
diced pickled jalapeños, drained
- 1/4 c.
finely chopped red onion
- 1/2 tsp.
salt, divided
- 1/2 tsp.
smoked paprika, divided
- 1/2 tsp.
garlic powder, divided
- 1/2 c.
panko breadcrumbs
-
Ranch dressing, for serving
Description
- Cut the jalapeño peppers in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scrape out and discard the seeds and ribs from the peppers. Set the halved peppers aside.
- Stir together the cheddar, cream cheese, mayonnaise, bacon, pickled jalapeños, onion and 1/4 teaspoon each salt, paprika, and garlic powder in a medium bowl. Stir together the panko breadcrumbs, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon each paprika and garlic powder in a small bowl.
- Fill each pepper half with the cheese mixture, and place on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle the tops of the peppers evenly with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Transfer half of the stuffed peppers to an air fryer basket sprayed with nonstick cooking spray and space evenly. Spray tops of peppers with cooking spray. Cook at 380° for 5 to 7 minutes, until the tops are browned and cheese mixture is melty.
- Place the cooked peppers okra on a rimmed baking sheet and keep warm in a 200° oven while air-frying the remaining stuffed peppers.
- Serve jalapeño poppers with ranch dressing, if you like.
