Frozen jalapeno poppers are one of my most favorite snacks items, just like the Oreo Dirt Pudding, Italian Seasoned oyster crackers, Dunkin Hash Browns, or Buffalo Wild Wings Potato Wedges that I prepare now and then. THE FROZEN ONES COME IN HANDY whenever I crave jalapeno poppers but don’t want to go through the lengthy process to prepare the jalapeno poppers.
The jalapenos come out of the freezer directly and, once properly cooked, you will be surprised to see the heavily crispy outside and super creamy and perfectly melty inside! It’s a very fast and easy-peasy way to enjoy this appetizer!
It is very easy to cook jalapeno popper in air fryer. There is no preparation time, and the whole recipe takes about only 8 minutes! But that doesn’t mean you cannot cook Frozen jalapeno poppers in any other way. For example, your oven will just do fine to prepare the melty and crispy jalapeno poppers within minutes.
Today we will cover both these cooking processes. So, without wit without more ado, let’s find out how to prepare jalapeno poppers.
Recipe Ingredients
- Frozen Jalapeño Poppers (6 standard size pieces)
Recipe Directions
Here is how to cook frozen jalapeno poppers in air fryer
- Take the frozen jalapeño poppers out of the freezer and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overlapping the jalapeno poppers. Even there is no need for oil.
- Then set the air fryer temperature to 380-degree Fahrenheit (193-degree Celsius). Then air fry for 5-6 minutes.
- Now, shake the poppers gently and flip over. Keep air frying at the same temperature for another 3-4 minutes or more. When the cheese begins to ooze out, stop the frying process.
- At last, take the jalapeno poppers out of the fryer basket and let them cool down.
- Serve with ingredients of your choice.
Cooking in oven
When you are cooking in an oven, you have to be careful with every step of the way, from preheating to maintaining temperature and time of baking.
- To start the cooking process, preheat your oven to 350-degree Fahrenheit.
- Once the preheating is done, take the jalapenos out of the freezer and set them for cooking directly.
- Place them, in a single layer, on a baking sheet. Don’t overlay in any way, as it will make the jalapenos stick with one another.
- Then place the baking sheet in the oven and cook thoroughly for 18-22 minutes
Important note: Allow the frozen jalapeno poppers enough time to cool down before eating. They remain super-hot for a few minutes after the completion of cooking. So, you may burn your tongue accidentally if the jalapenos aren’t cooled down!
Recipe Notes
- If you want to improve the nutritional value of this dish, you can utilize some Frozen Cauliflower Veggie Tots while air frying the jalapeno poppers.
- Don’t overcook the jalapeno peppers, or the cheese will melt and become liquid completely.
- The time and cooking temperature vary based on the air fryer, brand, and poppers size as popper size also varies from brand to brand. So, cook the first batch as a test. Then you will get the accurate time and temperature measurement.
- I have used a medium-size air fryer. If you use a large one, the poppers may be cooked faster. So, modify the time, and temperature based on the size of the air fryer.
- The poppers’ crusts carry enough residual oil. So, there will be no need for supplementary or extra oil. Rather, adding addition may result in disrupting the original texture and creaminess of the poppers.
Tips and Tricks
To reach perfection in every piece of jalapeno pepper, follow these secret tips and tricks
- The frozen jalapeno poppers should go to the air fryer or oven directly. Avoid thawing the poppers by all means.
- Don’t skip the shaking or flipping process, or you will end up with half-cooked jalapeno poppers.
- The air fryer should not be preheated. But if you have to cook more than one batch back-to-back, then the next batches will cook more rapidly, as the air fryer remains preheated for the successive batches. So, you may need to cut down the cooking time proportionately. Use your keen eye and common sense.
- You must set your timer to 6 minutes so that you don’t miss to shake and flip the jalapenos.
Nutritional Information
With only one ingredient, this dish is healthier than you would ever expect. It is enriched with 150 calories in every 50-g serving along with the necessary vitamins and minerals.
| Nutrient Fact (Per 50-gram serving) | Value | Daily Value |
| Calories | 150 (660kJ) | – |
| Protein | 2 g | – |
| Carbohydrates | 14 g | 5% |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.4 g | 4 % |
| Total Sugars | 0.41g | – |
| Total Fat | 9g | 14 % |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5 g | 17% |
| Trans Fat | 0.3g | 7% |
| Iron | – | 8% |
| Cholesterol | 15mg | – |
| Sodium | 270 mg | 11 % |
| Calcium | 10 mg | 1 % |
| Potassium | 200 mg | 4 % |
| Vitamin A | – | 2% |
| Vitamin C | – | 2% |
FAQ
How long do jalapenos last in the freezer?
If you store them properly in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag, they will be fine for up to 10-12 months. During this month, the jalapenos will remain of the best quality. But after that, although they will remain safe, but they may lose the quality.
However, if you keep them at 0-degree Fahrenheit, and constantly frozen, they will be safe and in satisfactory quality for an indefinite period.
Should I blanch jalapenos before freezing?
Actually, jalapeno falls into an unusual category of vegetables just like the green peppers. So, there is no need to blanch the jalapeno before freezing. However, if you blanch them, you will have to thaw them.
So, it is better to keep the jalapeno without blanching and use frozen in recipes, just like we have done in the Frozen jalapeno poppers recipe.
The taste, creaminess, and crispiness of frozen jalapeno poppers are beyond any complaint. Yet, you may fail to reach perfection for several reasons, such as jalapeno size, and brand, air fryer size, time adjustment, etc.
So, follow the notes and tips mentioned throughout this post, and your jalapeno poppers will; be a hit for sure.