Savory, spicy jalapeño poppers are always a crowd-pleasing appetizer, but my Bacon Jalapeno Poppers Air Fryer Recipe features an easy, foolproof twist.
Instead of wrapping the stuffed jalapenos in bacon—which sometimes results in unevenly cooked strips—I mix crispy homemade bacon bits right into the creamy, cheesy filling and sprinkle more on top for the perfect smoky crunch.
Every bite of these popular appetizers is packed with bold bacon flavor, plus you get a deliciously cheesy center with just the right amount of heat from the jalapeños.
These poppers are also quick and easy to make, thanks to the air fryer! Just pop them in the basket, and in minutes you’ll have golden, bubbly, irresistible jalapeño poppers. (No air fryer? No problem! I’ve included directions for cooking these tasty appetizers in the oven, too!)
Whether you’re making them for game day, a holiday party, a BBQ, or just because you’re craving something cheesy and spicy, this cream cheese stuffed jalapenos recipe delivers BIG flavor!
If you love the combination of salty, savory bacon with spicy jalapeño peppers, be sure to check out our recipes for Jalapeno Bacon, Jalapeno Bacon Wontons, and Jalapeno Popper Queso Dip.
Why You’ll Go Hog Wild for This Recipe
Crispy BACON in Every Bite – These air fryer jalapeño poppers feature crispy, delicious bacon in the filling and on top!
Perfectly cooked and easy to eat – With bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers, sometimes the bacon is unevenly cooked. They can also be greasy and tricky to bite into. This recipe solves all those challenges!
Quick and easy to make: After assembling the poppers, they cook up in just a few minutes in the air fryer!
Tasty and appealing: These small bites are packed with flavor, balancing the heat of jalapenos with the creamy, cheesy filling. Whenever I bring these to a party, they disappear so fast!
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here’s a picture of what you’ll need to make this recipe:
A few notes about the primary ingredients:
Cream cheese – The rich, creamy base of the filling, cream cheese helps balance the heat of the jalapeños.
Creole seasoning salt – My go-to seasoning salt is Tony Cachere’s. This blend of spices brings a bold, zesty kick to the filling with hints of paprika, garlic, and cayenne. It adds just the right amount of heat without overpowering the poppers.
Shredded cheddar cheese – I prefer to use freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese in this recipe, because it melts perfectly and compliments the flavors of the savory bacon, creamy filling, and spicy peppers.
Jalapeno peppers – Fresh jalapeños are the perfect “container” for the cheesy filling. They offer a balance of heat and flavor—just spicy enough to make these poppers irresistible.
Homemade bacon bits – The star of the show! Using homemade bacon bits gives the poppers a crispy texture with the most delicious flavor.
Equipment Needed
In addition to common kitchen tools like a sharp knife, cutting board, you’ll need:
Box grater – Grating your cheese just before adding it to the poppers will give you the best flavor and make your cheese extra-melty!
Melon baller – This gadget makes removing the seeds and cores from the jalapeno peppers so easy!
Air fryer – You can make this recipe with any size air fryer. I used a smaller one for these photos, and cooked the poppers in three batches.
Step by Step Instructions
STEP ONE: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with the black pepper, seasoning salt, and garlic powder. Stir until well blended.
STEP TWO: Add the shredded cheese and stir until combined.
STEP THREE: Add half of the bacon bits to the filling mixture, and stir until combined.
STEP FOUR: Cut the jalapenos in half lengthwise. Use a melon baller or a teaspoon to remove the seeds and white ribs.
STEP FIVE: Use a small spoon to fill the jalapenos with the cream cheese mixture.
STEP SIX: Sprinkle with the cheese and remaining bacon bits.
STEP SEVEN: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Arrange the poppers in the cooking basket, leaving room around the poppers for air ventilation. (Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches).
STEP EIGHT: Cook until the poppers are hot and the cheese is melted. In my air fryer this took 6 minutes, but your time may vary.
STEP NINE: Cool briefly and enjoy!
Oven Directions
If you don’t have an air fryer or would prefer to cook the poppers in the oven, we’ve got you covered!
Prepare the jalapeno poppers through Step 6. Then, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and arrange the poppers on a foil-lined baking sheet.
Bake until the poppers are hot and the cheese is melted, about 7 to 8 minutes.
How to Store Leftovers
In the unlikely event that you have leftovers, cover them tightly and refrigerate up to 2 days. Reheat the poppers in a 400 degree F air fryer or oven for about 5 minutes.
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Bacon Jalapeno Poppers in the Air Fryer
Equipment
- Box grater
- melon ballerr
- air fryer
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon Creole seasoning salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 8 medium jalapeno peppers
- 1/2 cup bacon bits
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with the black pepper, seasoning salt, and garlic powder. Stir until well blended.
- Add 1 cup of the shredded cheese and stir until combined.
- Add half of the bacon bits to the filling mixture, and stir until combined.
- Cut the jalapenos in half lengthwise. Use a melon baller or a teaspoon to remove the seeds and white ribs.
- Use a small spoon to fill the jalapenos with the cream cheese mixture.
- Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and remaining bacon bits.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Arrange the poppers in the cooking basket, leaving room around the poppers for air ventilation. (Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the poppers in batches).
- Cook until the poppers are hot and the cheese is melted, about 6 minutes. (Your cooking time may vary depending on how your air fryer cooks.)
- Cool briefly and serve.
Notes
ADD YOUR OWN PRIVATE NOTES
Whenever you come back to this recipe, you’ll be able to see your notes!
Nutrition
Got questions? Just ask! I’m happy to help.
If you post your creations on social media, tag #BENSABaconLovers so I can share! Thank you for your support. – Eliza
Nutrition Disclaimer: All nutritional information shared on this site is an approximation. I am not a certified nutritionist, and any nutritional information should be used as a general guideline.
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I love the spicy, savory flavors of jalapeno poppers, but when they’re wrapped in bacon they can sometimes be greasy, unevenly cooked, and hard to bite into. With this recipe, all those challenges are solved! Plus, the creamy filling features tasty BACON in every bite! I hope you and your guests love them as much as I enjoyed creating the recipe. ~Eliza