Add this jalapeños recipe to your Game Day party food! It is stuffed with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and crumbled bacon, regardless of what anyone else brings to a potluck, if these are around, they are the first to disappear.
Diving into a dish of Mexican jalapeños is quite the adventure, isn’t it? Every time you pop one in your mouth, you’re basically signing up for a taste bud adventure, stepping into a whole new world of flavors.
Sometimes, though, this adventure can be a bit too much, leaving you rushing around the room, tears streaming down your face, looking for something to calm the heat. That’s the magic of jalapeños – they can give you a delicious thrill and at the same time, challenge you to the extreme.
Cream Cheese Stuffed Jalapeños: The Perfect Counter to Spicy Heat
How do you make stuffed jalapenos not hot? If you find yourself biting into a jalapeño that’s just too fiery for your taste buds, don’t turn to water or beer to quench the fire – it won’t work. Dairy products like milk are the real heroes here, as the proteins in milk can mitigate the impact of capsaicin, the molecule that gives chilies their heat. That’s a great reason why stuffing Mexican jalapeños with cheese is such a popular and effective technique.
In the past, jalapeños generally packed a lot of heat, but now, their spiciness can vary, especially with “Americanized” hybrids. Some are no spicier than a bell pepper.
Also, baking the chilies until they’re tender (and covering them with foil if they brown too quickly) can greatly reduce their heat.
By the way, if you’re on the hunt for milder peppers, look for those with smooth skins. Stripes or wrinkles often indicate that the pepper experienced stress while growing, which can mean a spicier taste.
Easy Air Fryer Stuffed Jalapenos Recipe for Your Game Day Party
I like to make the stuffed jalapenos in an air fryer, because the air fryer’s circulating hot air ensures even cooking, giving the jalapeños a perfectly crisp texture. Moreover, the air fryers require less oil, making the stuffed jalapeños a healthier option.
Especially with the Typhur Dome large air fryer, its large cooking area is a standout feature, accommodating up to 32 chicken wings in one go. This makes prepping for a Game Day party a breeze. Plus, its self-cleaning function is a lifesaver, sparing me the hefty cleanup post-party.
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
Should You Wear Gloves When Preparing Jalapeños?
Yes, it’s a good idea to wear disposable gloves when preparing jalapeños. This precaution safeguards your skin from the spicy oils (capsaicin) they contain. In case gloves aren’t available, a clever workaround is to coat your hands with cooking oil before you start working with the peppers. The oil forms a protective barrier, reducing the risk of skin irritation.
After you’re done, remember to wash your hands thoroughly with warm soapy water. This step is crucial to remove any residual capsaicin that could still be lingering on your skin. It’s also important to avoid touching your eyes for several hours post-handling, as capsaicin can cause significant discomfort or a burning sensation if it comes into contact with sensitive areas like the eyes.
Cheesy Stuffed Jalapenos
Equipment
- Chef Knife
- Tongs
- Medium Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 8 oz Sliced Bacon
- 10 oz Cream Cheese softened to room temperature
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 2 cloves Garlic Clove, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp Fresh Chives, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tsp Kosher Salt
- 10 turns Black Pepper, freshly cracked
- 12 Jalapeños
Instructions
- Carefully arrange the bacon slices in a single layer in the cooking tray. Then, place the tray back in the air fryer. To achieve the best results, avoid overcrowding the air fryer.
- If you are using thick-cut bacon, you may need to cook it for a few minutes longer.Temperature: 400 °F Time: 10 minutes
- Using a pair of tongs, carefully remove the crispy bacon from the airfryer to a plate or serving tray. Chop or crumble the bacon into small bits.
- Combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, chives, parsley, garlic in a small mixing bowl. Stir well with a spoon or spatula and season with salt and pepper. Add the chopped bacon and mix well.10 oz Cream Cheese, 1 cup Cheddar Cheese, 2 cloves Garlic Clove, finely chopped, 1 tbsp Fresh Chives, thinly sliced, 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley, finely chopped, 1 tsp Kosher Salt, 10 turns Black Pepper, freshly cracked
- Wear gloves for this step if you are sensitive to pepper heat. Cut the jalapeños in half, lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. You can leave the stems on (they make nice handles for eating!) or trim them off.12 Jalapeños
- Using a spoon, fill each of the jalapeño halves with a big dollop of the cream cheese mixture, mounding slightly.
- Place the stuffed poppers into the cooking tray of the air fryer making sure to leave space between each of them.
- Cook the poppers at 365 °F for 8 minutes.Temperature: 365 °F Time: 8 minutes
- Carefully transfer the stuffed poppers to a serving plate or tray.
- Finish these delectable poppers with some freshly chopped parsley and a pinch of grated Parmesan cheese. Serve with sour cream or your favorite sauce.
Nutrition PER SERVING
(Nutrition information is calculated automatically by Spoonacular API and should be considered an estimate.)
