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Crispy Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers with Bacon Cheddar Filling

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These crispy air fryer jalapeño poppers are stuffed with a smoky bacon and sharp cheddar filling, delivering a perfect balance of heat, creaminess, and crunch without the mess of deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 medium fresh jalapeños, halved and deseeded
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until just crisp and chopped finely
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • Olive oil or cooking spray for coating

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C), about 3-5 minutes.
  2. Cut each jalapeño in half lengthwise and carefully remove seeds and membranes.
  3. Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until just crisp but still pliable, about 4-5 minutes. Drain and chop finely.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, chopped bacon, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until creamy and well blended.
  5. Spoon the filling into each jalapeño half, packing tightly without spilling over.
  6. Lightly press panko breadcrumbs onto the filling surface to create a crispy topping.
  7. Spray or brush the poppers with olive oil to promote browning and crispness.
  8. Arrange the poppers cut side up in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t touch for even air circulation.
  9. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, checking at 10 minutes to avoid over-browning. Poppers should be golden and bubbly.
  10. Let poppers rest for 2-3 minutes before serving to allow filling to set slightly.

Notes

For gluten-free, substitute panko with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond flour. For dairy-free, use vegan cream cheese and plant-based cheddar. Do not skip pre-cooking bacon to avoid greasy filling. Remove seeds to adjust heat level. Spray oil gives more even coating than brushing. Do not overcrowd air fryer basket for best crispiness. Can bake in oven at 400°F for 15-18 minutes if no air fryer is available. Leftovers keep up to 3 days refrigerated and reheat in air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: jalapeño poppers, air fryer recipes, bacon cheddar poppers, crispy snacks, appetizer, easy snack, party food

Find it online: https://evabake.com/crispy-air-fryer-jalape-n-o-poppers-with-bacon-cheddar-filling-easy-recipe/