appetizers
Air Fried Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Peppers
Fresh jalapeño peppers stuffed with creamy cheese, topped with sweet onion, and wrapped in smoky bacon, then air fried until the jalapeños are tender, the bacon is crisp, and the cheese is perfectly melted. This quick and easy air fryer version brings jalapeño poppers into everyday kitchen rotation—ideal as a bold appetizer, cookout side, or spicy snack for jalapeño lovers.
Ingredients
Jalapeños and Filling
- 6 whole jalapeño peppers
- 6 ounces cream cheese (block), softened
- 1 onion, sliced in strips
- 1/2 teaspoon Montreal seasoning
Bacon Wrap
- 6 slices bacon
- 1/2 cup flour
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F. If using a Breville-style oven, select the air fryer setting and prepare the rack or basket for cooking.
- Cut 6 whole jalapeño peppers in half lengthwise. Using a small spoon, carefully scrape out the seeds and membranes from all 12 jalapeño halves.
- Spread the 6 ounces cream cheese evenly into the 12 jalapeño halves, filling each cavity generously.
- Sprinkle the filled jalapeño halves with 1/2 teaspoon Montreal seasoning, dividing it evenly across all 12 halves.
- Cut 1 onion into thin strips and place one onion strip on top of the cream cheese in each of the 12 jalapeño halves.
- Cut 6 slices bacon in half to make 12 shorter strips. Dredge the 12 bacon halves in 1/2 cup flour, coating each piece lightly. The flour helps reduce splattering and encourages the bacon to crisp in the air fryer.
- Wrap each of the 12 filled jalapeño halves with one flour-dredged half-slice of bacon, making sure the cream cheese is covered as much as possible. Secure each jalapeño half with 2 toothpicks to hold the bacon in place.
- Place the 12 bacon-wrapped jalapeño halves cut side up on the air fryer rack or in the basket, leaving space between each for air circulation.
- Air fry at 390°F for 10 to 12 minutes, rotating or turning the air fryer rack halfway through cooking, until the bacon is crisp, the jalapeños are tender, and the cream cheese filling is melted and bubbly.
- Carefully remove toothpicks from the bacon-wrapped jalapeño peppers and serve hot as an appetizer or side dish.
Notes
- Use gloves when handling 6 whole jalapeño peppers to avoid irritation from the oils.
- Adjust heat by leaving a few seeds in the jalapeños if you like extra spice.
- Air fryer times can vary; check at 8–10 minutes the first time you make this recipe.
- For slightly crisper bacon, cook 1–2 minutes longer, watching closely to prevent over-browning.