Description
These Air Fryer Jalapeno Popper Bites are a delicious, crispy appetizer featuring fresh jalapenos stuffed with a creamy mixture of cream cheese and sharp cheddar cheese, coated in crunchy panko breadcrumbs, and perfectly cooked in the air fryer for a golden finish. Perfect for parties or a spicy snack, they are quick to prepare and require minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Jalapeno Popper Bites
- 6 fresh jalapenos
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp seasoning salt
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the optimal temperature for cooking the jalapeno popper bites evenly and to a perfect crisp.
- Prepare Jalapenos: Slice the jalapenos in half lengthwise and carefully remove the seeds to reduce the heat while keeping the halves intact for filling.
- Make Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and seasoning salt. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Stuff Jalapenos: Generously spoon the cheese mixture into each jalapeno half, making sure they are fully filled.
- Coat with Panko: Roll each stuffed jalapeno half in panko breadcrumbs until they are fully coated, which will give the poppers their crispy outer texture.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Air Fry: Place the coated jalapeno poppers in the basket in a single layer, and air fry for 8-10 minutes at 375°F (190°C), or until they become golden brown and crispy.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the air fryer and allow the poppers to cool slightly before serving warm to enjoy their full flavor and perfect texture.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of garlic powder and seasoning salt to suit your taste preferences.
- For an extra kick, leave some jalapeno seeds in the peppers before stuffing.
- To keep the poppers crispy, serve them immediately after air frying.
- Use gloves when handling jalapenos to avoid irritation from the oils.
- These poppers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated in the air fryer for best results.
