Stuffed with rich, creamy filling, these bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers make the perfect appetizer or game-day snack! Just pop them into the air fryer to get a nice crispy bite.
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I’ve been wanting to make keto jalapeño poppers for a while. So when I saw this recipe in The Ultimate Keto Air Fryer Cookbook: 100+ Low-Carb, High-Fat Recipes by Wendy Polisi, I couldn’t wait to try it!
The combination of jalapeño flavor, creamy filling, and crispy bacon is so delicious. And I love the way everything crisps up in the air fryer!
These poppers are easy to make and were a big hit with my family. I will definitely be adding them to the weekly menu.
Why you'll love it
It’s so easy to make air fryer jalapeño poppers. Just eliminate the breading and use bacon instead. Plus, two poppers are only 170 calories and 2 net carbs. So you can enjoy them guilt-free.
Whether you’re looking for a tasty appetizer or game-day snack, these bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers are sure to be a big hit.
Ingredients
This air fryer recipe uses whole, simple ingredients. Here is a bit more information about what I used to make them!
Jalapeño peppers
You'll need a dozen jalapenos to make these air-fried jalapeño poppers. They will need to be cut in half, and the seeds will need to be removed.
Cream cheese
Just like classic poppers, I filled the peppers with cream cheese. If you want, you could add some grated cheddar cheese too!
Spices
I used fresh minced onion, but you can replace it with some onion powder. I also used garlic powder, smoked paprika, sea salt, and pepper.
Bacon
Air fryer bacon is so easy to make- I highly recommend it! Thinner strips will cook faster.
Use any type of bacon, but make it's sugar-free.
Please note: Check out the recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients used to make this low-carb recipe.
Tips
- Fully remove the seeds. This is where the heat is, so if you like mild flavors, make sure every single seed is removed.
- Use thin bacon. If you use thick-cut bacon, it will take longer for the poppers to cook.
- Add cooking spray. Prepare the air fryer basket with cooking spray so that the poppers don't stick.
Instructions
These are the simple steps Wendy uses to make her low-carb poppers in the air fryer:
Prepare the peppers
Slice the jalapeños in half lengthwise, then remove the seeds and any remaining white membranes. This will reduce the heat of the peppers and make room for the filling.
Air fry peppers
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Place the jalapeños in a single layer, cut-side down, in the air fryer basket. Cook for 7 minutes.
Let cool
Remove the peppers from the air fryer and place them on a paper towel, cut-side up. Allow them to rest until they are cool enough to handle.
Prepare cheese filling
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together the cream cheese, minced onion, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Stuff jalapeño peppers
Once the peppers have cooled, and the filling is well-mixed, spoon the cream cheese filling into each jalapeño popper.
Wrap with bacon
Cut the bacon strips in half, then wrap one piece around each stuffed jalapeño half.
Air fry poppers
Place the bacon-wrapped jalapeños, cut-side up, in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes until the bacon is crispy.
Allow the poppers to cool slightly and enjoy!
????️ Spice level
The heat of your bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers is going to depend on the pepper itself.
Jalapeño seeds add a lot of heat. Removing most or all of the seeds will make your poppers milder.
If you don’t like spice, look for peppers with smooth skin and scrape out as many of the seeds as you can.
If you like them spicy, choose jalapeños with stripes and flecks on the skin. You could even mix some seeds into the filling for an extra kick.
Tip: When buying jalapeño peppers, look at their skin. Jalapeños with white lines or small spots will be spicier. Peppers with smoother skin will be milder.
????️ Serving suggestions
These keto bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers are sure to be a huge hit.
They are the perfect party food - don’t be surprised if they disappear quickly!
Looking for a few more appetizers that are perfect for game day or a party? Try my keto buffalo chicken dip, tomato and cucumber salsa, or cheesy cauliflower breadsticks!
Everybody loves these traditional finger foods. Your non-low-carb friends may not even realize these stuffed jalapeños are keto.
FAQs
Before we get to the printable recipe card, here are some questions people often ask about how to make this recipe
Yes, this is basically convection cooking. In fact, an air fryer uses convection heating to cook your food. It's like having a mini convection oven on your countertop.
No, not all air fryers cook the exact same way. The cook time might change if you have a smaller air fryer.
When you get a new air fryer, check on your poppers after about 5 minutes. Remove them when the bacon is completely cooked.
The quickest and easiest way is to use a small spoon and then scrape the mixture in the peppers with a knife. You could also put the cheese in a piping bag and pipe them into the peppers.
Related recipes
Looking for more keto recipes that use the air fryer? Check out a few of my favorite keto air fryer recipes:
- Keto Air Fryer Chicken uses a low carb breading and can be made in the oven or air fryer!
- Pepperoni Chips are a quick zero-carb snack that can be made in the microwave, oven, or air fryer.
- Keto Fried Pickles are crunchy on the outside, hot and juicy on the inside, and only 2 net carbs each.
- Salt And Vinegar Chicken Wings are another delicious wing recipe if you want something besides buffalo flavor!
- Keto Chicken Nuggets are paleo, gluten free, and so delicious, they’re kid-approved!
There are also more than 100 recipes in Wendy Pilosi's The Ultimate Keto Air Fryer Cookbook: 100+ Low-Carb, High-Fat Recipes book. So be sure to check that out if you want even more delicious keto-friendly air fryer dishes.
Follow us on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, and INSTAGRAM for even more tasty keto-friendly recipes!
Recipe
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers In Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 12 jalapeño peppers
- 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons minced onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- sea salt to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
- 12 strips bacon
Instructions
- Slice the jalapeños in half lengthwise, then seed them and remove any remaining white membranes to make room for the filling.
- Set the air fryer to 400°F. Place the jalapeños in a single layer, cut-side down, in the air fryer basket. Cook for 7 minutes.
- Remove the peppers from the air fryer and place them on a paper towel, cut-side up. Allow to rest until they are cool enough to handle.
- While the jalapeños are cooking, in a medium bowl, stir together the cream cheese, minced onion, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Spoon the cream cheese filling into the jalapeños.
- Cut the bacon strips in half, and wrap 1 piece around each stuffed jalapeño half.
- Place the bacon-wrapped jalapeños, cut-side up, in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until the bacon is crispy.
Notes
By Wendy Polisi, Published by Rockridge Press. Copyright © 2020 by Callisto Media. All rights reserved. Be sure to fully remove the seeds from the peppers. This is where the heat is, so if you like mild flavors, make sure every single seed is removed. If you use thick-cut bacon, it will take longer for the poppers to cook. So thin sliced is recommended. Prepare the air fryer basket with cooking spray or a light coating of oil so that the poppers don't stick.
Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart
Nutrition
Additional Info
Notes on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Copyright
© LowCarbYum.com - Unauthorized use of this material without written permission from Lisa MarcAurele is strictly prohibited unless for personal offline purposes. Single photos may be used, provided that full credit is given to LowCarbYum.com along with a link back to the original content.
First published on June 5, 2020. Updated on February 22, 2022, with clearer images and additional recipe tips.
Iris Crain
Loving the site! I've had your recipes bookmarked for a long time!
I recommend that people be careful to remove the *ribs* along with the seeds - it's not actually the seeds that have the heat, that's a myth, it's the ribs and the flesh close to the ribs. Here's an article explaining it.
https://culinarylore.com/chiles:do-chile-seeds-have-heat/
Thankfully it comes off really easy with the edge of a spoon.
Also, if someone wants to use thick cut bacon, all you have to do is half cook it first where it's still very wiggly and can wrap the popper, but doesn't take as long to finish cooking. Hope this helps!
Lisa MarcAurele
Thanks for that tip! I usually end up removing the seeds with the ribs so that's likely why it's thought the heat comes from the seeds.
Nancy
Hi Lisa...I love your recipes!!! I would like to try this air fryer jalapeno recipe however, I don't have an air fryer...can I do them in oven? If so, what temp would I do them at and for how long?
Thank you!
Lisa MarcAurele
I'd try 450°F for about 15 minutes in the the oven.
Lisalia
Just YUMMY!!! I love my air fryer and love this appetizer. WE usually buy it at costco. Can't believe how delicious and easy it was to make at home. Thanks for this great recipe!
Taryn
Thanks for this! I just got the air fryer instant pot lid. These were so good.