Air Fryer Jalapeño popper bites are delicious cheese balls packed with chopped jalapeños, gooey cheese, and bacon, all covered in a crispy breadcrumb coating. Each bite is a tasty mix of crunchy, creamy, spicy, and cheesy flavors that are just so satisfying!
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I fell in love with these Jalapeño popper bites after trying my hand at a Stuffed Jalapeño Popper recipe that quickly became one of my favorite appetizers. The combination of spicy jalapeños, creamy cheese, and crispy bacon is just irresistible! Once I made those stuffed poppers in the air fryer, I was hooked on how perfectly they turned out. It inspired me to create these bite-sized treats, and now I can’t get enough of their delicious flavor and satisfying crunch. They are easy to make, quick to cook in the air fryer, and are the perfect snack for any gathering or just a cozy night in!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I store leftover popper bites?
Store leftover bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can reheat them in the air fryer to maintain their crispy texture.
Can I make the filling ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the filling in advance and store it in the fridge. Just coat the bites with breadcrumbs, according to the recipe below and air fry them when you’re ready to serve.
Are these popper bites spicy?
The spice level depends on the jalapeños you use. For a milder snack, remove the seeds and membranes. You can also mix in some sweeter peppers to balance the heat.
What can I serve with jalapeño popper bites?
They pair perfectly with dipping sauces like ranch, sour cream, or Homemade Blue Cheese to balance off the heat. Serve them alongside other appetizers for a fun party spread!
Can I customize the filling?
Definitely! Feel free to add ingredients like shredded chicken, different cheeses, or spices to create your perfect flavor combination.
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Air Fryer Jalapeno Popper Bites
Ingredients
- 8 oz Cream cheese softened
- 4 Jalapeños: seeded and finely chopped about 2/3 cup (85grams)
- 1 cup Shredded cheese cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend. I used Cheddar and Pepperjack. Approx 110 grams.
- 3/4 cup chopped cooked bacon About 6 strips bacon: cooked and finely chopped.
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste Keep in mind that bacon is usually pretty salty
- 1 Tablespoon Sriracha sauce optional
- Cooking spray or oil for spraying
Instructions
- Prep the Jalapeños: Wash and pat them dry with a paper towel. Cut the jalapeños in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and membranes for a milder flavor (optional). Then finely chop jalapenos.Make the Filling: In a bowl, combine chopped jalapenos, softened cream cheese, shredded cheese, chopped bacon, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Shape the Balls: Take small amounts of the filling and shape them into balls (about 1 inch in diameter). You can also use a cookie scoop for even sizes. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes.
- Set Up Breading Station: Prepare three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt.
- Bread the Balls:Roll each cheese ball in flour, ensuring it’s fully coated.Dip it into the beaten eggs, letting any excess drip off.Roll it in panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere. Repeat for all the balls.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes.Arrange in the Air Fryer: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the panko-coated jalapeño popper balls in a single layer, leaving space between them.
- Air Fry: Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Carefully remove the jalapeño popper balls and let them cool slightly. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces like ranch or spicy mayo.
These look amazing! What dipping sauce is pictured? Recipe? Thx!
HI Karen, Thank you
Homemade honey chipotle mayo
Is there a recipe for a dipping sauce to go along with these. Great recipe, thank you!
Hello. Sure. May I recommend two of my faves – Chipotle mayo dipping sauce and Homemade chick-fil-a sauce.
HUUGE family hit! Super easy and fun to make! Definitely need to spray the tray first so the balls don’t stick, but they turned out great!
Yummy! Glad you enjoyed it! I have the non-stick tray so no food really sticks to it. But thanks for letting me know. It’s important to know that other trays may stick
Hard to flip melted cheese after 4 minutes. Cook them a bit longer and dumped them from the basket, looks more like soup than jalapeno cheese balls!
Same happened to us. Messy!!
I have a feeling if I try to make these I will end up with a leaky mess and empty shells of whatever is left
I made them multiple times and did not experience any leaky mess. Hope you will have success too. Delish!
Any advice on how to get them not to leak? The flavor is great but the few time I’ve cooked them most of the cheese mixture melts out.
Hi Jennifer. Coat generously in breadcrumbs. Air fry until the cheese starts to pop
We love the recipe however I had to cook them in the stove..
After 2 batches stuck to my basket on my instapot duo one batch I even used spray…any suggestions
Spraying is definitely a key, if they are getting stuck. Try to oil the basket more. If they still get stuck, place them on a small piece of parchment paper.
Why are jalapeños listed twice in the directions?
What kind of dipping sauce did you use
I served them with homemade Chipotle dipping sauce. You can also try them with Copycat Chick Fil A sauce. Yum
I followed this recipe to the letter. Needs more jalepenos vs cheese. Not enjoyable and a waste of my time honestly. I’ll go back to making poppers the normal way.
I air fryer some and they were very good. A bit messy. What was left I froze before I breaded them. I later took the frozen ones and threw them all in a bowl. I microwaved them till melted, stirring occasionally. It makes an excellent dip. Like it much better as a dip.
I made these to go with pizza and they came out perfect! So creamy and delicious on the inside and crunchy on the outside. Thank you
Can these be baked in the oven?” If so, temp and time please?
Sure. Please try at 425F (220C) for 10-15 minutes, or until the breading is crispy, golden brown and the cheese starts to pop.
Can these be made in deep fryer ??
Oh absolutely. Prepare the balls as per recipe then cook them in deep fryer, as per deep fryer instructions.
Hi, I would appreciate if you could let me know the brand & model number of the Air Fryers you use so I can see if they’re available in Australia.
Cheers, John
HI John. I’m using Cuisinart air fryer oven and Ninja Foodi XL 6-in-1
Would it be possible to use pickled jalapeños instead of fresh?
Absolutely. Just dice them up and follow the recipe. I’m sure they will turn out delish
What’s a good dipping sauce?
May I recommend this 5 minutes homemade Chipotle dipping sauce
Love these cheesy balls!! Have been envisioning these for a while and you nailed it
So glad you loved them! 😍🧀 I had the same vision for these little cheesy bites, and I’m thrilled they turned out just right! Hope you get to make them again soon—maybe with a little extra kick! 🌶🔥