Game day isn’t complete without Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers. Tender jalapeños are filled with a creamy, cheesy mixture, wrapped in crisp bacon, and ready in minutes. You can assemble them up to two days ahead and cook them in the air fryer in about 8–10 minutes. An oven-baked option is included in the recipe notes.
I’m a big football fan, and playoff season means lots of great games—and equally important, great snacks. These jalapeño poppers are a go-to for entertaining: creamy inside, smoky and crisp outside, and they’re easy to make in the air fryer for fast results.
These poppers pair perfectly with other crowd-pleasers like homemade guacamole or baked zucchini chips. If you enjoy air fryer cooking, this recipe is a fast and satisfying addition to your rotation.
The air fryer method is quick: the peppers get tender and the bacon crisps up in 8–10 minutes without waiting for an oven to preheat. If you prefer, you can bake them instead—see the recipe notes below for oven instructions.
Love the air fryer? Find more easy air fryer recipes for game day and beyond.
Table of contents
- Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Recipe ingredients
- How to make bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers
- Recipe FAQs
- Recipe notes
- More game day appetizers you’ll love:
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers deliver tender, cheesy peppers with crisp, smoky bacon—an unbeatable game day appetizer.
- They come together fast with a short ingredients list and can be prepped entirely ahead of time.
- The air fryer cooks them in roughly 8–10 minutes; the oven option takes about 15–20 minutes.
- Gluten-free and low-carb friendly, and easily adapted with different cheeses or seasonings.
Recipe ingredients
- Jalapeño peppers — Choose fresh, firm peppers. Remove seeds and white membrane for a milder popper; leave the membrane for more heat.
- Cream cheese — Soften to room temperature for easy mixing and a silky filling.
- Garlic — Fresh minced garlic adds bright flavor; garlic powder can be substituted if needed.
- Smoked paprika — Optional, but adds a pleasant smoky note and color.
- Grated cheese — Cheddar works well, but Parmesan, Monterey Jack, or a blend are good alternatives.
- Bacon — Thin-cut bacon crisps faster and wraps easily. Omit for a vegetarian version.
How to make bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers
These poppers are straightforward to prepare and cook quickly in the air fryer. If you don’t have an air fryer, see the notes for oven instructions.
Pro tip: Assemble poppers up to 2 days ahead, then wrap them in bacon just before cooking for the best texture.
Quick overview
- Mix the filling: combine softened cream cheese, minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and grated cheddar until smooth.
- Halve jalapeños lengthwise and remove seeds and white membrane for milder poppers.
- Fill each half with the cream cheese mixture, leveling to the edges.
- Wrap each filled half with 1/2 slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- Place poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket (you may need two batches).
- Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes, checking at 8 minutes. Ensure the bacon stays secure and the peppers are tender.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Most of the heat concentrates in the seeds and the white membrane, so removing them yields a milder popper. Leave the membrane in if you prefer more heat.
Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes. Check after 8 minutes since air fryer temperatures and pepper sizes vary. You’ll likely cook in two batches depending on basket size, but the total time including multiple batches is still shorter than baking because no preheating is required. 
They’re done when the peppers are tender, the filling is slightly golden, and the bacon is crisp. Avoid overcooking to prevent the filling from overflowing; if it does, scoop it back in and let cool briefly before serving.
Yes. You can prep and assemble them up to 1–2 days ahead. For best results, wrap with bacon just before cooking. Once cooked, store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
They’re delicious on their own or with dipping sauces such as Greek yogurt ranch, tzatziki, or a favorite BBQ sauce.
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: Assemble poppers up to 2 days ahead, then wrap with bacon just before cooking to keep the bacon crisp.
- Cooking time depends on jalapeño size; smaller peppers will cook faster.
- No air fryer? Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15–20 minutes or until peppers are tender and bacon is crisp.
- Customize the cream cheese filling with herbs, spices, or different grated cheeses.
- Store leftovers refrigerated for up to 3 days.
More game day appetizers you’ll love:
- Air fryer brussels sprouts
- Air fryer meatballs
- Air fryer potato skins
- Air fryer shrimp
- Buffalo chicken dip
- Homemade soft pretzels
- Hot artichoke dip
- Mini goat cheese balls
- Pub cheese
- Spicy maple rosemary roasted nuts
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag @flavorthemoments on social media so I can see what you made!
Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
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Equipment
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Ninja 4 QT Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 6 fresh jalapeños about medium size
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika optional
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 6 slices thin cut bacon halved width-wise
- freshly chopped parsley, for garnish optional
Instructions
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Cut the jalapeños in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and white inner membrane. Set aside.6 fresh jalapeños
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Place the softened cream cheese, garlic, smoked paprika, salt, pepper and grated cheddar cheese in a medium bowl and stir well to combine.4 ounces cream cheese, 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
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Divide the mixture evenly between the (12) jalapeño pepper halves, filling them just to the top of the sides. Wrap each pepper with bacon and secure with a wooden toothpick.
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Place the bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers in the air fryer basket in a single layer (you may need to cook them in 2 batches) and cook at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes, checking for doneness after 8 minutes as all air fryer temperatures vary. Check the poppers after 5 minutes to ensure that the bacon is still securely fastened and that they haven’t shifted.6 slices thin cut bacon
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Place on a serving plate and let stand 1-2 minutes until cool enough to handle. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and enjoy!freshly chopped parsley, for garnish
Video
Notes
- Pro tip: Assemble air fryer jalapeño poppers up to 2 days in advance, then wrap with bacon just before you’re ready to cook them.
- Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your jalapeños.
- No air fryer? Bake the poppers in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 15–20 minutes or until tender and the bacon is crisp.
- Change up the cream cheese filling with herbs, spices, or different grated cheeses to suit your taste.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and provided as a guideline for informational purposes.