Discover the ultimate spicy appetizer that combines three simple ingredients into one irresistible bite. These air fryer bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers deliver the perfect trinity of flavors: fiery jalapeños, creamy melted cheese, and crispy bacon that wraps everything in smoky goodness. The air fryer transforms these poppers into golden perfection with evenly crisped bacon and perfectly melted cheese centers.
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Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
The air fryer’s circulating hot air creates the perfect environment for evenly cooking bacon while preventing the cheese from oozing. The high heat quickly renders the bacon fat, creating crispy exteriors while keeping the jalapeños tender and the cheese perfectly melted. The key is the balance of heat levels: the jalapeños provide spicy kick, the cheese offers cooling creaminess, and the bacon adds savory richness. This combination creates layers of flavor and texture that make these poppers absolutely addictive.
Ingredients
Main Components:
- Fresh jalapeño peppers – Provide the signature heat and crisp texture base
- American cheese – Melts into creamy perfection and balances the spice
- Bacon strips – Creates crispy, smoky wrapper that holds everything together
The amount for each is in the printable recipe card below.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
For this recipe, I suggested American cheese. You can buy American cheese at your deli in your grocery store. I often purchase a chunk of this cheese and use it when I want cheese that melts creamy.
You can substitute American cheese with Cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack cheese.
When hatch peppers are in season, use them instead of jalapeños. You can also use mini sweet peppers.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers in an Air Fryer
Here are the simple steps for making air fryer jalapeno poppers:
- Cut the jalapeno peppers in half lengthwise and then scoop out the membranes and the seeds in the middle of the pepper.
- Cut a small piece of cheese to fit inside the jalapeno.
- Wrap each jalapeno with a slice of bacon.
- Place the bacon-wrapped peppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry them in batches at 400°F. The cook time is about 15 minutes or until the bacon is crispy.
Note: You can pop the bacon-wrapped jalapeno peppers into the freezer for a few minutes before you place them into the air fryer. I think by popping these into the freezer for a few minutes before you put them into the air fryer the cheese keeps from melting out.
How to Serve Jalapeno Poppers
These are great to serve on a platter so everyone can share. Put out a few of your favorite dipping sauces to go with the poppers. Try these:
- BBQ sauce
- Guacamole
- Honey mustard sauce
- Pineapple chutney or salsa
- Ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
- Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
You can serve them as an appetizer or side dish.
How to Make Them in the Oven
If you don’t have an air fryer you can still make these. I suggest using a wire rack on top of a baking sheet. This way the bacon grease will drip away from the jalapeno popper.
Bake them at 375°F for 15 minutes or until the bacon is crispy.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Storing: Allow the poppers to cool to room temperature. Then, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
- Freezing: Place the poppers on a baking sheet with space between them and freeze them. Transfer the frozen poppers to a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag.
- Reheating Refrigerated Poppers: Air fry them at 325°F for about 5 minutes. Or place them on a wire rack over a baking sheet and bake them at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
- Reheating Frozen Poppers: Air fry them at 325°F for about 8 minutes. Or place them on a wire rack over a baking sheet and bake them at 440°F for about 15 minutes.
Love your air fryer? Check out these recipes!
More Great Appetizers to Try
- Bloomin Onions
- Buffalo Chicken Poppers
- Fried Mozzarella Recipes
- Queso Monterey
- Jalapeno Wonton
- Chilis Queso
- Goat Cheese Canapes
- Home Made Cheese Curds
- Loaded Cheese Fries Outback
- Meat Cheese Ball Recipe
Best sure to check out more of my air fryer recipes and the best appetizers.
Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers – 3 Ingredients
Ingredients
- 8 jalapeno peppers
- 4 ounces American Cheese use a small cube of American cheese
- 8 slices bacon regular not thick sliced bacon
Instructions
- Wear a pair of disposable gloves. Wash and cut the jalapeno peppers lengthwise into halves. Scoop out the membrane and seeds of the jalapenos. Place a small piece of cheese in the jalapeno. Wrap the jalapeno with bacon. Place the wrapped jalapenos on a plate, and put into a freezer for about 10 minutes.
Air Fryer Cooking Instructions
- To cook place the jalapenos into the air fryer. Set air fryer to 390 degrees and cook for about 10 minutes. If you do not have an air fryer place jalapenos on a rack on a baking sheet and cook at 400 degrees, for about 15 minutes or until the bacon is browned and crispy.
Oven Cooking Instructions
- Use toothpicks to anchor the bacon into the jalapeno pepper. Place bacon-wrapped jalapeno peppers onto a rack on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. Then broil at 400 degrees for about 5 minutes or until the bacon is browned.
Video
Notes
- Add some sliced green onions to the cheese for some extra flavor
- Stuff a small amount of chorizo with the cheese before you wrap them with bacon
- Monterey Jack cheese can be substituted for American cheese
These air fryer jalapeno poppers are amazing! The bacon adds such great flavor and the cooking method keeps them perfectly crispy without all the grease. I can’t wait to try this recipe for my next game day gathering!
These air fryer jalapeno poppers are absolutely delicious! I made them for a party last weekend and they were a huge hit. The bacon wrap gives them a nice smoky flavor and the jalapeno peppers add a nice spicy kick. I’ll definitely be making these again! 👌🍟
I’m very happy I looked at my first Copy-cat Long John’s batter & its just as I have always enjoyed LJS but here in Southern Oregon small town or close by we have no LJS & I have always enjoyed them. Now for my Commets I have & love my Cuisinart Air fryer now for over 3 years & a mainstay in my kitchen along with Instant Pot as well as several other tools of the culinary arts I do enjpy as a 88 year old widowed man now of 6 years. I have really enjoyed a few of these & will continue to follow also. Thanks so much Harold W2HR
Am I missing something? Why put them in the freezer for 10 mins?
I think some people feel like there is a less chance of the cheese oozing out while frying.
It makes it easier for the bacon stick of the cheese is hardened vs room temperature. My brother told me about this and it’s a great tip!
Add a shrimp to the middle of the cream cheese before wrapping the bacon.
Yes that was great I even made some with chunks of chicken breast. Delicious!!!!
I’m sure other cheese’s would would work? American cheese does not sound appetizing to me
You can use whatever cheese you like, I like the way American melts.
We need more air fryer recipes to help us cook the healthy way. We love it . Thank you
Thank you!
It’s ten times better if you add dry ranch mix to the cream cheese!
Please I would like fried lasagna from olive garden TY ???
Bacon wrapped shrimp is really good!!!
I bet so! Have you made them in an air fryer?
We have a air fryer, and love it. Every home needs one. You can fix so many things in it. We think it was the greatest thing ever invented!!
Since sliced bread!
We got our air fryer. And love it
What do you make in your air fryer?
I have unsubscribed you from my mailing list. I don’t understand how my website is like AARP or NRA though, but thanks for giving it a try.