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Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 188kcal
Equipment
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 12 jalapeños
- 6 ounces cream cheese softened
- ⅔ cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons green onions finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Wear gloves to handle the jalapeños, as their oils can irritate your skin. Slice each jalapeño in half lengthwise and carefully remove the seeds and ribs, ensuring enough space for the filling.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sharp cheddar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and finely chopped green onions. Stir everything together until the mixture is well combined and smooth.12 jalapeños, 6 ounces cream cheese, ⅔ cup sharp cheddar cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, 2 tablespoons green onions
- In a separate bowl, mix the melted butter with the panko breadcrumbs until evenly coated. Spoon the cream cheese mixture into each jalapeño half, pressing it down lightly to ensure it's secure. Next, sprinkle the panko mixture over the tops of the filled jalapeños, pressing gently to adhere the crumbs.1 tablespoon butter, ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
- Arrange the poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t touch each other. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 7-10 minutes or until the tops are golden and crispy. Once done, carefully remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture. Enjoy!
Notes
- Handle with care: Always use gloves when cutting and handling jalapeños. The oils from the peppers can cause skin irritation, and trust me, you don’t want to accidentally rub your eyes after touching them!
- Cheese blend: While the recipe calls for sharp cheddar, don’t be afraid to mix in other cheeses like pepper jack for extra heat or gouda for a rich, smoky flavor. It’s an easy way to customize the poppers to your taste.
- Panko perfection: The key to getting that perfect crunch on top is mixing butter into the panko breadcrumbs. It helps them crisp up in the air fryer, giving the poppers that satisfying golden-brown finish.
- Even cooking: To ensure all your jalapeños cook evenly, avoid overcrowding the air fryer. If needed, cook them in batches. Crowding them in the basket could result in some poppers being undercooked or less crispy.
- Taming the heat: If you love the flavor of jalapeños but prefer less heat, a quick trick is to soak the sliced jalapeños in cold water for 10 minutes before filling them. This will reduce some of the spiciness without compromising the flavor.
- Crispier tops: Want to take the crunch to the next level? Lightly spray the tops of the poppers with cooking oil before air frying. This helps the breadcrumbs brown evenly and adds a little extra texture.
- Vegan-friendly option: For a plant-based version, swap out the cream cheese and cheddar with dairy-free alternatives. There are plenty of vegan cheeses available that melt just like the real thing, so no one has to miss out on these poppers!
Nutrition
Calories: 188kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 706mg | Potassium: 126mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1177IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 131mg | Iron: 1mg
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