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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers, Sides, & Salads

    Easy Vegan Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

    Published: Jan 19, 2022 · Modified: Dec 20, 2022 by Lauren Casolaro · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

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    close up of jalapeno poppers topped with bread crumbs and chives on a serving tray.

    These vegan and gluten-free air fryer jalapeño poppers are crispy, cheesy, spicy, and the best game day snack or appetizer for any get together! They're quick & easy to make and can be cooked in the air fryer or oven baked instead of deep fried, making them a bit healthier.

    close up of jalapeno poppers topped with bread crumbs and chives on a serving tray.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Variations/Substitutions
    • Expert Tips
    • FAQ
    • Other recipes you might like:
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    I never really cared about the Super Bowl until I realized the endless amount of snacks/appetizers that could be consumed. These poppers are always a crowd pleaser! For game day I love pairing them with other appetizers like dips, nachos, and more.

    These vegan jalapeño poppers taste exactly the same, if not better than, any regular version. The filling is creamy and cheesy, with just the right amount of flavor. This recipe is allergy-friendly by being made without bacon and are vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

    Ingredients

    ingredients for jalapeño poppers: jalapenos, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, chives, bread crumbs, salt & pepper.
    • Jalapeños: obviously, they are star of the show!! We'll be using fresh jalapeños, cutting them in half, and filling them with a dairy-free cream cheese mixture. If you're making these for people who can't handle the spice, you can make this recipe using bell peppers instead, or use a combination of both so you have options!
    • Vegan Cream Cheese: this is the base of our filling! You can use any vegan cream cheese brand you prefer. I personally used Tofutti as it's a bit thinner than some others so it spread and softened more easily.
    • Vegan Cheddar Cheese: to add that cheesy flavor!
    • Garlic: you didn't think I'd leave it out, did you? I could never! If you don't have any fresh garlic cloves, feel free to use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
    • Horseradish: just for an extra kick! It's totally optional and tastes just as great if you were to leave it out.
    • Chives: these just add another layer of flavor and freshness to each bite.
    • Salt & Pepper: for flavor!
    • Bread Crumbs: to keep this recipe gluten free, I used gluten free panko bread crumbs. If you're not gluten free, feel free to use regular breadcrumbs. The breadcrumbs help us get a nice crispy top to the jalapeño poppers.
    • Vegan Butter: to help the breadcrumbs stick together.

    Instructions

    jalapenos cut in half on a cutting board.
    jalapenos cut in half on a cutting board with the seeds scooped out.
    cream cheese stuffed jalapenos on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
    cream cheese stuffed jalapenos topped with bread crumbs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
    jalapeno poppers in an air fryer.
    cooked jalapeno poppers in an air fryer basket.
    1. Start by combining vegan shredded cheddar, vegan cream cheese, chives, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl to create your jalapeño popper filling.
    2. Using kitchen gloves to protect your hands, halve each jalapeño lengthwise, removing the seeds and membranes. You can leave the stems intact, they act as a nice little handle!
    3. Spoon the cream cheese mixture evenly into each jalapeño half and top with the breadcrumbs.
    4. Place the jalapeño poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry at 375 degrees F for 10-12 minutes. If you'd prefer your jalapeño poppers to be oven baked, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and bake for 18-22 minutes.

    Variations/Substitutions

    Use mini bell peppers instead of jalapeños if you or your guests can't handle the heat!

    Make these jalapeño poppers without cream cheese by using vegan ricotta, vegan feta cheese, or a cashew cheese sauce instead.

    For additional flavor, add 1-2 tablespoons of horseradish or vegan bacon bits into the cream cheese mixture.

    If you don't want to use or don't have an air fryer, these can be oven baked or deep fried.

    These jalapeño poppers can be made without cheese or breading simply by leaving them out!

    jalapeno poppers on a black serving tray.

    Expert Tips

    • Make sure you wear gloves when handling the jalapeños in order to avoid jalapeño hands!!!! When you cut peppers open and remove the seeds, you run the risk of burning your hands with the chili oils and capsaicin. It's incredibly hard to wash off and I've forgotten hours later and ended up burning my eyes!
    • Try to buy jalapeños that are the same size for even baking.
    • Soften the non-dairy cream cheese to room temperature for easy mixing!
    • If the vegan cheddar shreds are too long to fit into the jalapeños, cut them shorter. This will not only allow them to fit in the cavity, but will help the cheese melt more easily.

    FAQ

    What's the best sauce to dip jalapeño poppers in?

    I would recommend dipping them in a blue cheese, ranch, or aioli dipping sauce. Any of these would not only add yummy flavor but also help to counteract the heat from the peppers.

    What do I serve with jalapeño poppers?

    Jalapeño poppers are super fun with an array of other indulgent appetizers on game days like the Super Bowl or just a get together with friends. Serve them alongside: homemade guacamole, nachos, dips, fried pickles. Or you can serve them as starter before a main course such as: quinoa kidney bean burgers, jackfruit lettuce tacos, or one pot taco pasta!

    How do I store the left over cooked jalapeño poppers?

    Store them in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. To reheat, I would suggest putting them in the oven for 5-10 minutes at 350 degrees F. You could microwave them but they'll be a bit soggy as opposed to crispy.

    Can you freeze jalapeño poppers?

    Yes! Store them in an airtight container for up 3 months. To reheat, you can use the either microwave (which I don't recommend) or the oven and heat until warmed through.

    Can I make these ahead of time?

    Yes! Cut and fill the jalapeños with the filling and store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. I would just recommend leaving off the breadcrumbs until you're ready to air fry or bake.

    Are jalapeño poppers spicy?

    I didn't find this recipe too spicy, since we removed all of the seeds from the jalapeños. Also, the creamy, tangy, cheesy filling definitely helps to cut some of that heat, and even more so when paired with a non-spicy dipping sauce.

    jalapeno poppers being dipped into ranch dressing.

    Other recipes you might like:

    • Bang Bang Cauliflower
    • Homemade Guacamole
    • Roasted Garlic Hummus

    Be sure to leave a comment and rating down below if you try this recipe! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Instagram for more recipes and updates.

    📖 Recipe

    close up of jalapeno poppers topped with bread crumbs and chives on a serving tray.
    5 from 3 votes
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    Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

    Lauren Casolaro
    These vegan jalapeño poppers are a game day favorite and the best appetizer! Topped with breadcrumbs and stuffed with cream cheese, the jalapeño peppers are air fried to crispy perfection. 
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 45 minutes mins
    Category: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 12 Servings
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Food Processor

    Ingredients
     

    • 12 jalapeño peppers halved
    • 8 ounces (227 g) vegan cream cheese softened
    • 4 ounces (114 g) vegan shredded cheddar
    • 2 teaspoons horseradish optional
    • 2 cloves (8 g) garlic minced
    • 2 tablespoons chives finely chopped
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • ¼ cup (30 g) gluten free bread crumbs
    • 2 tablespoons (28 g) vegan butter melted

    Instructions

    • In a small bowl, combine the vegan shredded cheddar, vegan cream cheese, horseradish, chives, garlic, salt, and pepper.
      8 ounces vegan cream cheese, 4 ounces vegan shredded cheddar, 2 teaspoons horseradish, 2 cloves garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, 2 tablespoons chives
    • Using kitchen gloves to protect your hands, halve each jalapeño lengthwise, removing the seeds and membranes. Spoon the cream cheese mixture evenly into each jalapeño half.
      12 jalapeño peppers
    • In a small bowl, combine melted butter and breadcrumbs, mixing until the breadcrumbs are coated evenly. Sprinkle over each popper.
      ¼ cup gluten free bread crumbs, 2 tablespoons vegan butter

    AIR FRYER INSTRUCTIONS:

    • Place the jalapeño poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 375 degrees F for 10-12 minutes.

    OVEN INSTRUCTIONS:

    • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the poppers on prepared baking sheet lined with and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the jalapeños are tender and the breadcrumbs are golden.
    • Serve immediately along ranch or blue cheese dressing and enjoy!

    Notes

    *Air fryer cooking times can vary based on the power of your air fryer. If your air fryer is preheated, the peppers will cook faster. Either way, just be to keep an eye on them!
    To make ahead: stuffed the jalapeños with the cream cheese filling, leaving the bread crumbs off to avoid them getting soggy, then store in the fridge for up to 3 days until you're ready to air fry or bake. 
    To freeze:
     store in an airtight container for up to 8 months.
    To reheat: place the jalapeño poppers in the oven at 350 degrees F for 5-10 minutes until heated through.
    Nutritional facts are estimates only. Please see our full disclosure here. 

    Nutrition Facts

    Serving: 2Jalapeno Poppers | Calories: 116kcal | Carbohydrates: 5.5g | Protein: 1.2g | Fat: 8.8g | Saturated Fat: 4.3g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 660mg | Fiber: 0.7g | Sugar: 0.6g
    Keywords: air fryer jalapeño poppers,gluten free jalapeño poppers,stuffed jalapeño peppers,superbowl appetizers,vegan appetizers,vegan jalapeño poppers
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @pinchofparsley_ on Instastram or tag #pinchofparsley!

    More Vegan Appetizers, Sides & Salad Recipes

    • Easy 4 Ingredient Guacamole Recipe
    • Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower
    • Vegan Couscous Salad with Chickpeas
    • How to Make the Ultimate Vegan Charcuterie Board

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jess

      January 30, 2022 at 11:16 am

      5 stars
      This recipe was sooooo good. I am making it again today for football Sunday 🙂 thanks for the great recipe!

      Reply
      • Pinch of Parsley

        January 30, 2022 at 11:22 am

        Yay!! So glad to hear you're making it again! Thanks for commenting Jess 😊

        Reply
    2. Bianca

      January 23, 2022 at 6:06 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe came just in time for football playoffs, so delicious and no one knew they are vegan 🙂

      Reply
      • Pinch of Parsley

        January 23, 2022 at 6:07 pm

        So happy to hear that, Bianca!! Glad they were a hit!

        Reply
    3. Megan

      January 23, 2022 at 6:05 pm

      5 stars
      Made these today for football Sunday and they were a huge hit! Will definitely make these for the superbowl

      Reply
      • Pinch of Parsley

        January 23, 2022 at 6:05 pm

        So happy to hear that!! Thanks for commenting Megan!

        Reply

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