Name: Ninja Foodi Jalapeno Poppers
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 12 stuffed jalapeños
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 6 whole jalapenos; 4 ounces cream cheese; 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 6 slices bacon (cut in half lengthwise); Cajun or Cayenne seasoning (optional)

Ninja Foodi Jalapeno Poppers

Ninja Foodi Air Fryer (AC) cream cheese stuffed jalapenos wrapped in crispy bacon, an easy under 30 minute Jalapeno appetizer that is mouthwateringly delicious. Use the Ninja Foodi all in one to make the BEST stuffed Jalapenos with perfectly amazing bacon outsides.

Prep

15 min

Cook

12 min

Total

30 min

Serves

12 stuffed jalapeños

Calories

These jalapeño poppers are cheesy, crispy, and wrapped in smoky bacon—perfect for any get-together. Whether it’s game day or a holiday party, they come together quickly in the Ninja Foodi or any air fryer. Packed with flavor, they’re always a hit and disappear fast!

Ninja Foodi Jalapeno Popper with Air Crisp basket.

Quick Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
Air Fryer Temp: 400°F
Servings: 12 poppers
Spice Level: Moderate (adjust by removing more or fewer seeds)

Ingredients:

6 whole jalapeños
4 oz cream cheese
¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 slices of bacon (cut in half lengthwise)
Cajun or cayenne seasoning (optional for extra heat)

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers in Ninja Foodi

Slice each jalapeño in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds (the more seeds you remove, the milder the heat).

In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese and shredded cheddar until smooth. Scoop the mixture into each jalapeño half, spreading it evenly with a spoon or your fingers. Take half a slice of bacon and wrap it around each filled jalapeño, tucking the ends under the pepper to keep it secure.

stuffed cut in half jalapenos and stuff with cream cheese and cheddar

Preheat your Ninja Foodi or air fryer to 400°F. Place the bacon-wrapped jalapeños in the air fryer basket in a single layer (you may need to work in batches).

Cook for 12-15 minutes until the bacon is crispy and the cheese is melted. The second batch may take less time since the air fryer will already be hot.

Converting to another Air Fryer Brand

If you’re using a different air fryer brand, don’t worry—it’s easy to adjust this recipe. Most air fryers will work just as well as the Ninja Foodi. Just make sure to preheat if your model requires it, and keep an eye on the cooking time. Every air fryer is a bit different, so check around the 10-minute mark. Adjust the cooking time slightly depending on how powerful your air fryer is, but the temp should stay around 400°F.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I store leftover jalapeño poppers?

If you have any leftovers (which doesn’t happen often at my house!), just pop them into an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat, I like to toss them back into the air fryer at 375°F for about 3-5 minutes to keep that crispy texture.

Can I make these jalapeño poppers ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prep the peppers and stuff them with the cheese mixture ahead of time. I’d suggest waiting to wrap them in bacon until right before cooking though.

Do I need to flip the jalapeño poppers while they cook?

Nope, no flipping necessary.

Crisp up jalapenos in air crisp air fryer basket

What should I serve with jalapeño poppers?

I love serving these with a side of ranch dip or blue cheese dressing for dipping. They also pair perfectly with other appetizers like air fryer wings, fried pickles, or a nacho bar if you’re doing a party spread.

Bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers made in the air fryer.

More Jalapeno Recipes you’ll love!

Steps

Slice each jalapeno pepper in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and discard.

In a small bowl, mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese and desired spices like Cayenne or Cajun.

Use a tablespoon scoop to scoop cheese into each pepper half, pressing in into the shell.

Clean fingers are the easiest way to spread the cream cheese in the jalapeno shells. Be careful not to overfill.

Wrap one half slice of bacon (just cut in half) around each pepper, tucking the ends in or under the jalapeno and place on a plate.

Air Crisp jalapenos at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

It also makes a difference if your AF is preheated, so if you're working in batches, which you probably have to do here ( since 12 won't fit with the basket) you need to check on the jalapeno timing. The second batch make take less time because of the heat already in the Air Crisp basket.

The great news is that the Air Crisp lid is super easy to open and check on, so this recipe can be made exactly to your level of crispiness!