Bacon Wrapped JalapeƱo Poppers in Air Fryer
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Thereās only one thing better than jalapeƱo poppers: Bacon Wrapped JalapeƱo Poppers. And this air fryer version has all the spiciness and creaminess you love about traditional poppers without all the trouble of the deep fryer. Plus, theyāre wrapped in bacon!
Why Youāll Love These Jalapeno Bacon Poppers
These Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped JalapeƱo Poppers are the perfect game day snack or party appetizer. They have all the flavor you know and love without all the mess and oil of traditional deep fried poppers.
With just a handful of ingredients, these flavorful bites come together quickly for an amazingly no-fuss appetizer everyone always loves. And, theyāre simple to prep ahead the day before and cook just in time for your next game day, party, or backyard BBQ.
These air fried Jalapeno peppers wrapped in bacon are an irresistible spicy and creamy bite-size snack that is always welcome at parties and potlucks and perfect for any time of the year. Plus, they make a great side dish for burgers and chicken sandwiches!
Ingredients for Bacon Jalapeno Poppers
You only need a few ingredients and some seasonings to make these amazingly delicious appetizers.
- Fresh jalapeƱos – sliced lengthwise with seeds removed
- Uncooked bacon – use thinner strips of bacon for crispier texture
- Cream cheese – softened to room temp is best for mixing
- Cheddar cheese – use fresh shredded for maximum flavor
- Spices – Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder
Equipment Needed To Make
- Air fryer
- Medium bowl
- Knife
- Optional pastry bag or plastic sandwich bag – for piping the filling
Substitutions & Alterations
- Swap the cream cheese with a flavored spreadable cheese (like chive or garlic herb) to save time and add flavor.
- Use a Monterey Jack or pepper Jack instead of cheddar.
- Add some smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the cream cheese mixture for added flavor or a little heat.
- You can use turkey bacon or thin prosciutto if you want a lighter option.
- You can also bake these in the oven if you prefer. I recommend a preheated 350Ā° oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until bacon is crisp.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Poppers
This is an abbreviated form of the complete directions in the recipe card. Use the full instructions to get the best results.
- Prepare and slice jalapeƱos
- Prepare the cream cheese filling
- Fill the peppers and wrap with bacon
- Place in air fryer in single layer.
- Air Fry/Bake (see Substitution Section for baking instructions)
Time Saving Tips & Tricks
- Pre-stuff the poppers the night before, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Wear gloves when seeding jalapeƱos to save time (and avoid spicy hands!).
- Use a piping bag or plastic baggie with the tip cut off to fill the peppers quickly and cleanly.
- Use thin-cut bacon so it crisps up more easily in the oven. Thick-cut bacon can take longer and may stay chewy unless pre-cooked.
- Soften the cream cheese to room temperature first to make mixing and filling easier and quicker.
- If the bacon wonāt stay wrapped, secure it with toothpicks or moistened cooking twine. (Just remember to remove them before serving).
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How to Serve Bacon Wrapped JalapeƱo Poppers
These make a great appetizer or snack all on their own served with Homemade Buttermilk Ranch or Chipotle Aioli for dipping.
Add these air fried poppers to a game day platter or serve alongside any these great options
Sliders
Wings
Classic Game Day Apps
How to Store Leftover JalapeƱo Poppers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
You can also freeze these for up to 3 months. To keep them from sticking together when freezing, I like to spread the poppers out on a small baking sheet and stick directly in the freezer. Then transfer the frozen poppers to a freezer safe bag or container.
How to Reheat JalapeƱo Poppers
Reheat cold jalapeƱo poppers in the air fryer or oven to retain texture quality.
Air Fryer – 400Ā°F for 5-7 minutes until everything is crispy and hot. Donāt overlap the jalapeƱos for best results.
In the Oven – On a baking sheet in a preheated 400Ā° for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
More Popper Recipes
- Simple JalapeƱo Poppers
- Air Fryer Poppers
- JalapeƱo Popper Wontons
- JalapeƱo Popper Chicken Casserole
- JalapeƱo Popper Pinwheels
Bacon Wrapped JalapeƱo Poppers Air Fryer
Equipment
- air fryer
- sharp knife
- cutting board
- medium bowl
Ingredients
- 6 to 7 fresh jalapeƱos
- 8 oz cream cheese – softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Ā¼ tsp salt
- Ā¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 12 to 14 slices of uncooked bacon
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Slice the jalapeƱos in half lengthwise and carefully remove the seeds and ribs. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth using a hand or stand mixer.
- Add shredded cheddar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix until fully combined.
- Fill each jalapeƱo half with the cream cheese mixture, spreading evenly.
- Wrap each stuffed jalapeƱo with a slice of bacon. Secure with a toothpick if needed.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400Ā°F. Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray.
- Place the bacon-wrapped jalapeƱos in the basket in a single layer. Do not overcrowd; cook in batches if necessary.
- Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray and air fry for 15 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and golden.
- Remove from the air fryer and let cool for 2 to 3 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm!
Notes
- Wear gloves when seeding jalapeƱos to save time (and avoid spicy hands!).
- Use a piping bag or plastic baggie with the tip cut off to fill the peppers quickly and cleanly.
- Use thin-cut bacon so it crisps up more easily in the oven. Thick-cut bacon can take longer and may stay chewy unless pre-cooked.
Nutrition
With a background in productivity, Iām passionate about making the most of our time ā and that includes in the kitchen! Youāll find that my recipes are always designed to be simple, flavorful, and quick, so you can spend less time stressing and more time savoring.
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These were good and quick to make. I used turkey bacon and it came out great.