Description
Spicy and crispy air fryer jalapeno poppers promise a delightful appetizer with creamy cheese filling and crunchy bacon bits. Guests will savor these zesty bites that deliver bold flavor and irresistible texture.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese
- ½ cup (120 ml) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 5 medium jalapenos
- ¼ cup (30 g) panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) butter, melted
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsps green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Preparation: Slice jalapenos lengthwise, maintaining stems. Use a spoon to meticulously extract seeds and membranes, creating a pristine vessel for filling.
- Cheese Mixture: Thoroughly blend cream cheese, cheddar, green onions, garlic powder, and black pepper in a mixing bowl until smooth and uniform.
- Stuffing: Lavishly fill each jalapeno half with the creamy cheese mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Coating: Melt butter and thoroughly coat panko breadcrumbs. Delicately dredge filled poppers, pressing gently to achieve a complete, crisp exterior.
- Air Frying: Position poppers in the air fryer basket, allowing adequate space between each piece. Set temperature to 375°F and cook for 6-8 minutes, monitoring until exterior turns golden and cheese begins to bubble.
- Serving: Carefully extract poppers from the air fryer. Let cool momentarily, then garnish with additional chopped green onions. Serve immediately to preserve optimal crispiness and flavor intensity.
Notes
- Handle with Care: Use kitchen gloves when deseeding jalapenos to prevent skin irritation and potential burning sensation from capsaicin.
- Cheese Filling Tip: Soften cream cheese at room temperature for easier mixing and smoother texture in the cheese blend.
- Crispiness Hack: Press panko coating firmly onto poppers to create a more adherent and crunchier exterior during air frying.
- Temperature Watch: Monitor air fryer closely during last 2 minutes of cooking to prevent burning and ensure perfect golden-brown crust.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 163
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 242 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg