Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers -- stuffed with refried beans and wrapped in bacon! Fresh jalapenos are loaded a cheesy refried bean filling, wrapped in bacon & air fried in this easy appetizer! Served with a variety of dipping sauces, these will become a staple for any celebration!
This post is sponsored by the Family Celebrations promotion at Publix. The opinions and text are all mine.
There's a lot to celebrate in the fall: Back to school, cooler weather, tailgating & football, and those cozy autumn holidays!
September is also the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, a month in which we acknowledge the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic & Latino Americans. It's a celebration of history, culture... and food!
From September 4 - October 2, Publix is offering amazing deals on various products that are perfect for creating Hispanic Heritage-Inspired recipes with their Family Celebrations promotion.
These air fryer jalapeno poppers stuffed with cheesy refried beans and wrapped in smoky bacon are the ultimate way to celebrate all the things the fall season has in store!
Ingredients
These air fryer jalapeno poppers are as easy to make as they are to eat! Here's what you'll need:
- Fresh jalapenos. Get the full effect by leaving the white pith in the pepper, where the majority of the heat lives, or tone them down by carefully removing it.
- Refried beans, such as Isadora Refried Beans. (They are on sale now at Publix for 50¢ off any one.) Refried beans are a pantry essential that I love to use for everything from quesadillas and burritos to fast, simple appetizer dips.
- Pepper jack cheese. Pepper Jack lends a little extra heat and a creamy texture. Feel free to experiment with other varieties of cheese such as Monterey Jack or Cheddar.
- Kentucky Legend Bacon. (Kentucky Legend Bacon is on sale now at Publix for $2 off any one.) A little piece of bacon goes a long way in adding smokiness and a mouthwatering crunch to the outside of each jalapeno popper.
- Suggested dips for serving:
- Cacique Queso Blanco Cheese Dip (on sale now for $2 off any one with digital coupon)
- Sir Kensington's Chile Lime Crema (on sale now at Publix for $1.50 off any one)
- Hellmann's Cilantro Lime Sauce (on sale now at Publix for $1.50 off any one)
Instructions
If you've never made jalapeno poppers in the air fryer, you're in for a treat. All it takes is a little assembly to whip up a batch in no time. In fact, you may want to double it since they'll disappear in an instant!
First, carefully slice the jalapeno peppers lengthwise. Using a spoon or a paring knife, scoop out the seeds (and the pith if you'd like to tame the heat) and discard. Set them aside -- I like to use cutting board for easy clean up.
Next, mix together the refried beans and cheese in a small bowl until well-combined.
Scoop the refried bean filling into a zip-top bag and snip off one tip to create a piping bag. Pipe the mixture into each of the jalapeno halves, just enough to fill to the top.
Tip: You may want to use a pair of disposable gloves to cut the jalapeno peppers if you have sensitive skin. If you don't use gloves, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly (then wash them again for good measure!) before touching your eyes or nose. This is a lesson I learned the hard way once when I cut hot peppers (gloveless) and then put my contact lenses in hours later. Ouch.
Slice each piece of bacon in half. Use a halved bacon strip to wrap each filled jalapeno pepper, with the seam side on the bottom.
Place the jalapenos in the basket of an air fryer, making sure to leave space between them so that the air can fully circulate and cook the bacon. (If you have a small air fryer, you may need to do this in two batches.)
Set the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the jalapeno poppers for 12-15 minutes or until the bacon is fully cooked. (It will crisp up slightly as it cools once removed from the air fryer.)
Serve on platter with a variety of dipping sauces such as Cacique Queso Blanco Cheese Dip, Hellmann's Cilantro Lime Sauce and Sir Kensington's Chile Lime Crema. The creamy dips are the perfect compliment to cool down the spicy peppers!
Variations
Give this recipe a try with these mouthwatering twists:
- Add veggies. Mix sautéed onion, corn or even chopped green chiles into the refried bean mixture to add texture and extra flavor.
- Add spices. A sprinkle of taco seasoning mixed into the filling can give extra depth to these bites.
- Beat the heat. If you don't care for spicy foods or are looking to make a more kid-friendly appetizer, stuff the refried bean mixture into colorful mini peppers! They have all the flavor and crunch and none of the heat.
FAQ's
Yes. Place the jalapeno poppers on a foil-lined baking pan and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15-17 minutes or until the bacon is cooked.
Yes! Prepare and stuff the jalapeno peppers, up to a day in advance. Wrap tightly or place in an airtight container. Wrap the poppers with bacon just before cooking.
Yes. Place the prepared poppers on a baking sheet. Freeze them until solid, then place them in an airtight, freezer-safe container or zip top freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Cook as directed when ready to serve -- you may have to add a minute or two to the cook time since they will be cold from the freezer.
Take advantage of these special deals and celebrate your own fall fiesta! From ingredients for festive dishes to household essentials like Bounty paper towels (on sale now for $3 off one with digital coupon) or Lysol Clean & Fresh Multisurface Cleaner (on sale now for $1 off one with digital coupon), the savings are spectacular -- up to $35! Visit GetTheSavings.com (or grab a flyer in the kiosk at your local Publix) to access print-at-home coupons & view other offers (more than $35 worth!) available throughout the Family Celebrations promotion, now through October 2, 2021.
Bacon & Refried Bean Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
Equipment
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 6 jalapeno peppers halved and seeded
- 1¼ cups Isadora Refried Beans
- ⅓ cup grated Monterey Jack cheese or your preferred cheese
- 4 slices Kentucky Legend Bacon cut into thirds
Instructions
- Cut jalapeno peppers lengthwise, removing seeds. (See notes) Set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix together refried beans and grated cheese until combined.
- Using a spoon or (or a zip top bag with the tip snipped to create a piping bag), fill each pepper half with the bean and cheese mixture.
- Wrap each filled jalapeno pepper with ⅓ of a strip of bacon.
- Place the bacon-wrapped jalapenos seam side down in the basket of an air fryer.
- Air fry at 350°F for about 12 minutes or until the bacon is fully cooked and crisp.
- Allow to cool slightly before removing from air fryer-- they will be soft and hard to handle. Serve warm with a variety of dipping sauces.
Notes
- Add veggies. Mix sautéed onion, corn or even chopped green chiles into the refried bean mixture to add texture and extra flavor.
- Add spices. A sprinkle of taco seasoning mixed into the filling can give extra depth to these bites.
- Beat the heat. If you don't care for spicy foods or are looking to make a more kid-friendly appetizer, stuff the refried bean mixture into colorful mini peppers! They have all the flavor and crunch and none of the heat.
