Healthy Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers Air Fryer

by Sarah Harper MS, RD, LDN | Feb 2, 2024 | Lunch/Dinner, Recipe, Snack | 0 comments

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers Air Fryer cooked with bacon, cheddar, cheese, and a secret vegetable ingredient! Can you guess what it is?
Hi, I'm Sarah Harper. I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves to cook, eat, and talk about food! Here at The Addy Bean, you'll discover an array of flexitarian recipes. My mission is to inspire and encourage others to eat and explore the world of plant-based foods!

Healthy Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers Air Fryer

This Bacon “Wrapped” Jalapeno Popper Air Fryer recipe is healthy, delicious, and nutritious. I add butternut squash to the filling to provide a creamy, slightly sweet, and veggie packed bite!

Healthy Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Jalapeno poppers on an oblong white plate

Why You Will Love Making This Recipe

Flavor: The combination of spicy jalapenos, creamy cheese filling, and crispy bacon is incredibly flavorful and satisfying.

Indulgence with moderation: By creating a healthier version, individuals can indulge in this delicious treat without feeling guilty about consuming excessive calories or saturated fats.

Sharing with others: Making a healthier version of a popular dish allows individuals to share their culinary creations with friends and family, promoting healthier eating habits among loved ones.

Ingredients

Experimenting with healthier ingredients allows for creativity in the kitchen. You can swap the butternut squash for pureed carrot, sweet potato, or even pumpkin!

  • Jalapenos
  • Cream Cheese – option for use vegan for dairy free
  • Butternut Squash – you can even get this in a can from Farmer’s Market Organic Purees
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese – or a vegan cheddar
  • No Nitrite Bacon – or even tempeh bacon!
  • Salt & Pepper

 

Step – By – Step Instructions

Prepare the Jalapenos: Cut the jalapenos in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and membranes to reduce heat.

Prepare the Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mashed butternut squash, salt, pepper, and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until well combined.

Fill the Jalapenos: Spoon the cream cheese and butternut squash mixture into each jalapeno half, ensuring they are well-filled.

Top jalapeno and filling with 1/2 tsp shredded cheddar cheese then top with a piece of bacon.

Air frying: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Place the bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

Air fry for 10-12 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and the jalapenos are tender.

Serve: Carefully remove the jalapeno poppers from the air fryer. Allow them to cool slightly before serving.

 

How to Serve This Recipe

Below are some suggestions for serving this recipe.

Arrange on a Platter: Place the jalapeno poppers on a serving platter or plate, arranging them neatly for presentation.

Garnish: If desired, garnish the jalapeno poppers with fresh chopped cilantro, green onions, or a sprinkle of smoked paprika for extra flavor and visual appeal.

Serve Warm: Jalapeno poppers are best enjoyed warm, so serve them promptly after cooking.

 

Healthy Bacon "Wrapped" Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers on a platter and plate.

Enjoy This Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Air Fryer recipe?

Try These Other Air Fryer Fan Favorites!

Easy Air Fryer Camembert

Camembert Cheese on stacked plates with sliced bread topped with nuts and dried fruit. A pair of hands is slicing into the cheese and spreading it along bread.

Air Fryer Frozen Brussels Sprouts with Horseradish Aioli

A stoneware bowl with a creamy Horseradish Aioli inside a casserole dish with air fried brussel sprouts. A fork is dipping one Brussel Sprout into the dip.

Air Fryer Baked Apples

A grey speckled dessert plate with 2 halves of baked apples with pecan oat topping and a scoop of creamy ice cream and a silver and blue handled spoon cutting into the baked apple.

 

Healthy Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Jalapeno poppers on an oblong white plate

Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers

Sarah Harper MS, RD, LDN
These Jalapeno Poppers are a spin on the classic. The addition of butternut squash adds a touch of sweetness and more veggies!
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 177 kcal

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • rubber spatula
  • measuring spoons
  • Tongs

Ingredients
  

  • 8 jalapenos
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup frozen butternut squash, thawed and mashed
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp fresh cracked pepper
  • 8 tsp shredded cheddar cheese, divided you will use 1/2 tsp cheddar cheese on each popper
  • 4 strips no nitrite bacon, cut into 4 pieces

Instructions
 

Prepare the Jalapenos

  • Cut the jalapenos in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and membranes to reduce heat.

Prepare the Filling

  • In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mashed butternut squash, salt, pepper, and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until well combined.

Fill the Jalapenos

  • Spoon the cream cheese and butternut squash mixture into each jalapeno half, ensuring they are well-filled.
  • Top jalapeno and filling with 1/2 tsp shredded cheddar cheese then top with a piece of bacon.

Air frying

  • Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
  • Place the bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
  • Air fry for 10-12 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and the jalapenos are tender.

Serve

  • Carefully remove the jalapeno poppers from the air fryer. Allow them to cool slightly before serving.

Notes

To make Vegan or Dairy Free: Swap Cream Cheese with Cashew Cream or a Vegan Cream Cheese. Swap Cheddar cheese by mixing in nutritional yeast to Vegan Cream cheese swap. Omit bacon. Top with diced chives and paprika after cooking.
To make Vegetarian: Omit bacon and top with diced chives and paprika after cooking. 
This recipe is Gluten and Grain Free, Soy Free, and Peanut/Nut Free.
Option to serve with some Greek yogurt or sour cream as an easy dipping sauce!

Nutrition

Calories: 177kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 5gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 268mgPotassium: 161mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 2446IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 74mgIron: 0.3mg
Keyword appetizer, healthy
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Sarah Harper in her kitchen with a cutting board, broccoli, carrots, and a fruit bowl.
Website | + posts

Hi, I'm Sarah Harper. I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves to cook, eat, and talk about food! Here at The Addy Bean, you'll discover an array of flexitarian recipes. My mission is to inspire and encourage others to eat and explore the world of plant-based foods!

0 Comments

Sarah Eating for food blog

Subscribe To Our Newsletter!

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from The Addy Bean!

You have Successfully Subscribed!