Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped JalapeƱo Poppers
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Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers are the easiest crowd-pleaser I’ve ever made. The air fryer gets the bacon perfectly crispy while the jalapeños stay tender, stuffed with cream cheese and sharp cheddar that melt into a rich, tangy filling. They keep just enough kick without being too spicy. You’ll be amazed how fast they disappear from the platter.
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I make them for game days, tailgating parties, Super Bowl Sunday, and potlucks because they’re the kind of finger food people actually hover around. They’re budget-friendly and perfect for feeding a crowd at family gatherings. Plus, you can prep them ahead and air fry right before guests arrive. Store leftovers in the fridge for 3 days.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
Here’s how to make crispy air fryer jalapeño poppers from start to finish.
Prep the Air Fryer Basket
Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper so the bacon doesn’t stick to the bottom. You can use these pre-cut air fryer parchment paper rounds that fit perfectly or trim regular parchment to size.
Mix the Cheese Filling
Mix the cream cheese and shredded sharp cheddar together in a mixing bowl until they’re evenly blended and smooth. I use this silicone spatula to really work them together so you don’t get pockets of plain cream cheese. The sharp cheddar adds tangy flavor that cuts through the richness of the cream cheese.
Fill the Jalapeño Halves
Fill each jalapeño half with the cream cheese mixture, packing it in firmly so it doesn’t fall out when you wrap them.
A small spoon or butter knife works well for spreading it evenly from end to end. Put the halves back together so you have whole stuffed peppers again.
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Crack Chicken Casserole
∙ Coffee Cake
...and much more!
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Wrap With Bacon and Arrange
Wrap each stuffed pepper with a bacon slice, starting at one end and spiraling around to the other end. You can secure them with toothpicks if needed, but the bacon usually shrinks and holds everything together on its own. I like using these bamboo toothpicks because they grip well and keep everything in place without snapping.
Arrange the bacon-wrapped peppers on the parchment-lined basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between each one for air circulation. I always grab my favorite kitchen tongs here because they give me better control when setting the peppers in place without burning my fingers.
Air Fry Until Crispy
Bake in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 15 to 20 minutes until the bacon is crispy and golden brown. Check them at 15 minutes since some air fryers run hotter than others.
The bacon should be fully cooked and crispy, and you might see some cheese bubbling out at the ends. I love using this digital meat thermometer to check that the bacon has reached a safe internal temperature if you’re unsure.
Serve Hot With Dipping Sauce
Serve them hot on this serving platter with your favorite dipping sauce, like ranch, blue cheese, or spicy mayo. I let them cool for just a minute or two before serving so nobody burns their mouth on the molten cheese. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- ½ cup cream cheese
- ½ cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 12 jalapeno peppers halved lengthwise, seeds and membranes removed
- 12 slices bacon
Instructions
- Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper.
- Mix cream cheese and Cheddar cheese together in a bowl until evenly blended. Fill each jalapeño half with cheese mixture.½ cup cream cheese, ½ cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, 12 jalapeno peppers
- Put halves back together and wrap each stuffed pepper with a slice of bacon (you can secure them with a toothpick). Arrange bacon-wrapped peppers on the prepared baking sheet.12 slices bacon
- Bake in the air fryer at 375ºF (190°C) for 15 to 20 minutes until bacon is crispy.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Remove all the membranes: Scrape out the white membranes inside each jalapeno half completely because that’s where most of the heat lives. Leave them in if you want extra spicy poppers.
- Don’t overfill the peppers: Pack the cheese mixture firmly, but don’t overstuff them, or it’ll squeeze out when you wrap the bacon around, and about a tablespoon per pepper half is just right.
-
Use thin-cut bacon: Regular thin-cut bacon cooks through perfectly in the 15 to 20 minute cooking time without drying out the peppers. Thick-cut bacon takes too long, and the peppers get mushy.
- Leave space between poppers: Arrange them in a single layer with a little space between each one so the hot air can circulate and crisp up all sides of the bacon evenly.
- Check bacon crispiness: If your bacon isn’t as crispy as you want at 20 minutes, add another 2 to 3 minutes and keep checking until it reaches your preferred level of crispiness.
- Flash freeze before storing: Freeze poppers on a baking sheet for 1 hour before transferring to containers so they don’t stick together in one frozen clump.
Nutrition
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Crack Chicken Casserole
∙ Coffee Cake
...and much more!
Includes ad-free recipes like:
How to Store Leftovers
These poppers are best eaten fresh and hot, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container like this in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes to crisp up the bacon again, or use the microwave for 30 seconds if you don’t mind softer bacon.
I don’t recommend freezing them since the texture won’t stay as perfect. The bacon loses crispiness, the peppers soften, and the cheese can turn slightly grainy once thawed and reheated.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
These poppers are best served with cooling dips like ranch dressing, blue cheese dip, or sour cream to balance the heat from the jalapeños. I also set out fresh veggie sticks like celery and carrots, plus some tortilla chips with guacamole or salsa on the side.
They work perfectly as part of a larger appetizer spread for parties and game days. Pair them with other finger foods like chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, or pigs in a blanket. The smoky, spicy flavors go well with cold drinks like iced tea to help cool things down between bites.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
You’ll love these other air fryer appetizers perfect for game days and parties.
