Why You’ll Love These Cheesy Air Fried Sweet Pepper Poppers
Snack lovers, gather ’round! These sweet pepper poppers are about to become your new obsession. I’ve combined the perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and crunchy in every bite. The mini sweet peppers create a naturally sweet vessel that beautifully contrasts with the jalapeño-spiked cream cheese filling.
What makes these truly special? The wonton wrapper adds an irresistible crunch that traditional poppers lack. Plus, the air fryer gives you that deep-fried texture without the extra oil. Ready in just minutes, they’re perfect for game day, impromptu gatherings, or those nights when dinner just isn’t cutting it.
What Ingredients are in Cheesy Air Fried Sweet Pepper Poppers?
These cheesy air fried sweet pepper poppers are all about simple ingredients that create an explosion of flavor. The beauty of this recipe lies in its perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and creamy elements that come together in a crispy package. You don’t need a long list of fancy ingredients to make something absolutely mouthwatering—just a handful of items that might already be in your kitchen or are easy to grab at any grocery store.
- 16 ounces of colored mini sweet peppers
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 5 jalapeño peppers, minced
- 20 wonton wrappers
- Water (for sealing wrappers)
- Cooking spray
When shopping for your ingredients, look for mini sweet peppers with vibrant colors—the mix of red, orange, and yellow makes for a beautiful presentation. For the jalapeños, you can adjust the quantity based on your spice preference. Remove the seeds and membranes if you want less heat, or keep them in for an extra kick. The cream cheese should be at room temperature for easy mixing. And don’t skimp on quality wonton wrappers—they’re what gives these poppers that irresistible crunch that makes everyone reach for seconds.
How to Make These Cheesy Air Fried Sweet Pepper Poppers
Making these pepper poppers is honestly so simple, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making them all along. Start by combining 8 ounces of cream cheese with 5 minced jalapeño peppers in a small bowl. Mix them thoroughly until well combined—this creamy, spicy mixture is what gives these poppers their addictive kick. You can make this filling ahead of time and keep it refrigerated if you’re planning ahead for a party.
Next, take your 16 ounces of colorful mini sweet peppers and prep them by cutting off the tops and removing the seeds and membranes from inside. This creates the perfect little vessel for your cream cheese mixture. Stuff each pepper tightly with the jalapeño cream cheese—don’t be shy here, really pack it in!
Then comes the wrapper stage: place one stuffed pepper in the center of each wonton wrapper. To seal them properly, dab a bit of water along the edges of the wrapper, then roll up the pepper, pressing firmly on those moistened edges to create a tight seal. This step is essential for keeping all that cheesy goodness inside during cooking.
The final step is air frying these little bundles of joy. Spray the bottom of your air fryer basket with cooking spray, then arrange your poppers in a single layer without overcrowding—you might need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Give the tops a light spray of cooking oil too, which helps them achieve that gorgeous golden-brown finish. Air fry for 5-10 minutes, watching closely as cooking times can vary between air fryer models. When they’re crispy and golden, remove them and let them stand for a couple of minutes before serving.
Trust me on the waiting part—biting into these immediately is a surefire way to burn the roof of your mouth on molten cream cheese!
Cheesy Air Fried Sweet Pepper Poppers Substitutions and Variations
While the base recipe for these pepper poppers is absolutely delicious, you can easily customize them to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs.
Try swapping cream cheese for goat cheese or dairy-free alternatives if you’re avoiding traditional dairy. Not a fan of spice? Skip the jalapeños completely or replace them with milder green chiles.
For meat lovers, mix in some crispy bacon bits or cooked ground sausage. I’ve even tried adding corn kernels and black beans for a southwestern twist.
The wonton wrappers can be replaced with phyllo dough or puff pastry if that’s what you have on hand.
What to Serve with Cheesy Air Fried Sweet Pepper Poppers
Serving these cheesy air fried sweet pepper poppers as an appetizer calls for complementary sides that balance their rich, spicy flavors.
I love pairing them with a cooling cucumber dill dip that soothes the heat from those minced jalapeños. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette works beautifully too.
For drinks, nothing beats an ice-cold beer or a citrusy margarita. The bubbles or acidity cut through the creaminess perfectly.
Want to make it a meal? Add some grilled chicken skewers or a hearty soup. My family devours these poppers alongside barbecue during summer gatherings—the combination is absolutely divine.
Final Thoughts
These cheesy air fried sweet pepper poppers have completely transformed how I think about appetizers.
They’re the perfect blend of crispy, creamy, and just a touch spicy—everything you want in a crowd-pleaser.
I love how versatile they are, too. Running short on jalapenos? No problem, adjust the heat level to your liking.
Need to make them ahead? Just prep and store them in the fridge until ready to air fry.
What I appreciate most is their simplicity.
In just minutes, you’ll have golden-brown poppers that look like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Trust me, your guests will never guess how easy they were.
Cheesy Air Fried Sweet Pepper Poppers
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Combine softened cream cheese with minced jalapeño peppers in a small bowl and mix thoroughly.
- Cut off the tops of the mini sweet peppers and remove seeds and membranes.
- Stuff each pepper tightly with the jalapeño cream cheese mixture.
- Place one stuffed pepper in the center of each wonton wrapper.
- Dab water along the edges of the wrapper, then roll up the pepper, pressing firmly on moistened edges to seal.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Arrange poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary.
- Lightly spray the tops of the poppers with cooking spray.
- Air fry for 5-10 minutes until crispy and golden brown.
- Let stand for a few minutes before serving.
