Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

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Introducing our Keto Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers, a delightful, spicy snack that’s perfect for those on a ketogenic diet. These poppers are filled with a creamy, savory mixture of cream cheese, crab meat, and Colby Jack cheese, then wrapped in crisp bacon. Cooked to perfection in an air fryer, these jalapeno poppers offer a burst of flavor in every bite!

Ingredients

Jalapeno Peppers: We need 8 jalapeno peppers for this recipe. These peppers will be cut in half and cleaned out, removing the seeds and membrane. They will then be filled with our crab and cheese mixture.

Cream Cheese: 8 ounces of room-temperature cream cheese is used as the base for the filling. It will be mixed with the other ingredients to create a creamy, flavorful filling for the jalapenos.

Old Bay Seasoning: 1 teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning is added to the cream cheese. This seasoning adds a unique flavor to the filling.

Onion Powder: 1 teaspoon of onion powder is also added to the filling. It enhances the flavor of the cream cheese and crab meat.

Crab Meat: 6 ounces of crab meat is added to the filling. You can use canned, fresh or imitation crab meat. The liquid from the crab meat should be drained before adding it to the filling.

Colby Jack Cheese: A half cup of shredded Colby Jack cheese is added to the filling. This cheese melts beautifully and adds a nice flavor to the filling. You can substitute this with any cheese of your choice.

Bacon: Thin slices of bacon are used to wrap around the filled jalapenos. The bacon becomes crispy in the air fryer, adding a nice texture to the poppers.

Making The Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

Prepare the Filling:
Start by preparing the filling. In a bowl, combine eight ounces of room-temperature cream cheese with one teaspoon each of Old Bay seasoning and onion powder. Stir until well mixed. Then, add six ounces of drained crab meat and stir again. Finally, add a half cup of shredded Colby Jack cheese and mix until everything is well combined.

Prepare the Jalapenos:
Next, prepare the jalapeno peppers. Take eight jalapenos and cut each one in half. Using a spoon, scoop out the membrane and seeds from each half. Ensure you wash your hands thoroughly after handling the jalapenos to avoid irritation.

Fill the Jalapenos:
Once the jalapenos are prepared, start filling them. Spread the cream cheese and crab mixture into each jalapeno half using a butter knife.

Wrap the Jalapenos:
Now, it’s time to wrap the jalapenos. Take thin slices of bacon and wrap each filled jalapeno half. Secure the bacon with a toothpick to ensure it stays in place during cooking.

Cook the Jalapenos:
Place the wrapped jalapenos into the air fryer. Set the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and the timer to 12 minutes. After 12 minutes, check the jalapenos. If the bacon isn’t as crispy as you’d like, cook for three more minutes.

Serve the Jalapenos:
Once the jalapenos are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and allow them to cool. Once cooled, they’re ready to serve. Enjoy the spicy, creamy, and crispy jalapeno poppers as a keto-friendly snack or appetizer.

Tips and Variations for Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers Recipe

Tips:

1. Choosing Jalapenos: When choosing jalapenos, look for firm, glossy peppers without any blemishes or soft spots. Larger jalapenos are often milder and easier to fill.
2. Handling Jalapenos: Jalapenos can cause a burning sensation on the skin. Wearing gloves while handling them is recommended, especially when removing the seeds and membrane.
3. Bacon Thickness: Try to use thin bacon for this recipe. It cooks faster and becomes crisper in the air fryer.
4. Toothpick Tip: Soak your toothpicks in water for about 15 minutes before using them to prevent them from burning in the air fryer.

Variations:

1. Cheese Variations: You can experiment with different types of cheese for the filling. Try using cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack for a different flavor.
2. Meat Variations: Instead of crab meat, you could use cooked and crumbled sausage, shredded chicken, or even cooked and crumbled bacon.
3. Vegetarian Option: For a vegetarian version, omit the crab meat and bacon. Add some finely chopped bell peppers or sweet corn to the cheese mixture for flavor and texture.
4. Spice It Up: If you love extra heat, leave some jalapeno seeds in or add a dash of cayenne pepper to the cheese mixture.
5. Breading Option: Before air frying, lightly coat the bacon-wrapped jalapenos in almond flour or crushed pork rinds for a crunchy exterior. This will give a nice crunchy texture to the poppers.

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Keto Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
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