Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers Bacon Wrapped Mummies

These bacon-wrapped air fryer jalapeno poppers are so tasty and so adorable. These Halloween mummy jalapeno poppers are perfect for any All Hallow's Eve celebration. Wrapped in bacon, with the rich, creamy cheese center, your choice of bacon, shrimp, chicken or ground beef. Then add that spicy kick of jalapeno... these poppers really pop, with or without the crescent dough outside layer!

Halloween Mummy Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers

Air fryer jalapeno poppers are one of my favorite snacks to make for Halloween or any event for that matter. This is our bacon wrapped jalapeno popper recipe that we enjoy all year 'round. Just modified for a spooky celebration!

Wrapped up in crescent dough rags, these Halloween mummy jalapeno poppers are bursting with flavor and overflowing with cuteness, from their wrapping to their googly eyes. They taste delicious, and they're just so adorable.

They're the perfect treat for both adults and older children who love a kick of spice to go with the cool delicious cheese filling of this easy recipe. 

Ingredients

There aren't a lot of ingredients to this air fryer jalapeno poppers recipe. In fact, it only takes a handful of ingredients to make them the traditional way. Of course, there are some optional ingredients you can use to change these up a bit, but even so, that only adds one or two ingredients to the overall list. It's a short and simple list just like the recipe!

• 8 slices bacon, diced
• 12 jalapeños, halved lengthwise with stems left intact, seeds and ribs removed, between 3 and 4 inches long
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons lime or lemon juice
• 1 tube refrigerated crescent rolls

Variations

• 2-3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro or parsley, if desired
• 1 teaspoon chili powder, taco seasoning, curry powder, ground cumin, paprika, or coriander (I usually use paprika)
• cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, dashes of sriracha or hot sauce, to taste
• cooked medium shrimp, deveined and shelled (one for each jalapeño half), optional
• ½ pound cooked ground beef, leftover roast beef, sausage, shredded chicken, or crab meat
• bacon strips cut in half crosswise to match the number of jalapeño halves
• toothpick for each jalapeño half
• ¼ cup Barbecue Sauce of choice

Making the Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers

There are several different ways you can make these mummy jalapeno poppers, and we'll be going over all of them. You can make them in the air fryer and in the oven and use a variety of different ingredients, depending on how fancy you want to get! 

Basic Instructions

• If using shrimp, sauté in a skillet in 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil until pink on both sides. Set aside until ready to use.
• If using ½ pound ground beef or sausage use a skillet to brown it, then place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Allow meat to totally cool before blending with cheese mixture.
• Cook diced bacon in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until crispy, 8 to 9 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Set aside.
• Mix cheddar, Monterey Jack, cream cheese, bacon, garlic powder, scallions, cilantro or parsley, panko, egg yolk, lime juice, seasoning of choice, bacon, and any extra options you want to include together in a bowl until incorporated and nice and creamy.

If you enjoyed this recipe, you may also enjoy our delicious Jalapeno Coleslaw recipe!

Without Bacon Wrapping

• Adjust your oven rack to the upper-middle position and preheat your oven to 500 degrees. Prepare your rimmed baking sheet with a wire rack lightly coated with cooking spray.
• Season jalapeños with sprinkles of salt and place cut side down on top of your wire rack. Bake until just starting t become tender, between 4 and 5 minutes.
• Remove jalapeños from the oven and set aside to cool.
• Set your oven's temperature to 450 degrees.
• Once jalapenos are cool enough to handle, flip them over so the cut side is facing up.
• Divide cheese mixture among each of your jalapeños, carefully pressing into each. Fill each jalapeño about ⅔ full with cheese mixture and do not overfill them.
• Bake until filling is a light golden brown, about 10 minutes. If desired, place under broiler for 2-3 minutes to lightly brown tops. Just keep a close watch because these poppers can burn fast. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

With Bacon Wrapping

• Divide cheese mixture among jalapeños, pressing into cavities. Fill each jalapeño half until it is about ⅔ full. Don’t overfill.
• Top each half with a shrimp, if using.
• Wrap each jalapeño half with bacon and secure with a wooden toothpick.
• Brush each half with barbecue sauce if desired. 

Oven-Baked

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Place poppers on a parchment-lined pan.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
• If desired, place under broiler for 2-3 minutes to lightly brown tops.
• Let sit about 10 minutes before serving.

Air Fryer

• To cook bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers in your air fryer, prepare as directed, then cook at 325 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of your peppers.
• If not wrapped in bacon only 10 minutes are needed.

Making them Ahead of Time

Option 1: First, you can make the filling up to 3 days in advance and store it inside your fridge covered or in an airtight container. Just remember to remove from the fridge about 45 minutes before needed so it's easier to stuff your peppers.

Option 2: Prepare cheese mixture and stuff each of your jalapeños but do not cook them. Place inside your fridge covered or in an air-tight container until needed.

They will last in your fridge for up to 3 days.
Add a few extra minutes to your baking time.

Prepare the stuffing and fill your peppers. Place stuffed jalapenos, not touching, inside an airtight container until needed. Freeze for up to one month, maybe two.

If possible, place stuffed jalapenos on some rimmed baking sheets, not touching, and place inside your freezer until frozen. Once frozen store inside an airtight container or in a resealable freezer bag.

This way when storing your jalapeno poppers inside your freezer they can touch each other and not only does this method take up less space inside your freezer you're able to remove the exact number you want to bake.

When ready to bake, prepare a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray and bake at 425 degrees from frozen for 25 to 30 minutes. You can also air fry or grill right from frozen, just add a few minutes to your cook time.

Storing Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers

Leftovers should be refrigerated in an airtight container and will last about 3 days inside your fridge, including the day you made them.

Place in the oven at 350 degrees on a rimmed baking sheet coated in cooking spray for 20 to 30 minutes or until heated through and golden brown.

You can also reheat in a microwave if necessary.

For longer storage, you can freeze these Halloween jalapeno poppers. There is some controversy here about whether freezing these jalapeno poppers works well. Some recommend it and some don't.

Some believe the texture of the poppers is adversely affected after freezing. They can turn mushy or soggy in some cases.

I leave the decision to freeze up to you. We do it ourselves but my close friend Julie refuses to and we use the same recipe.

For what it's worth I have served her frozen bacon-wrapped jalapenos without telling her and she never said a word and ate them all with me.

So I leave the decision up to you.

These Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers are Perfect for Your Next Party

These Halloween jalapeno poppers are absolutely adorable, and they make the perfect addition to any Halloween party.

Everyone will come running back for more of these mummy jalapeno poppers with their spicy kick, creamy cheese filling, crescent roll wrapping, and of course, bacon!

Give these air fryer jalapeno poppers a try for your Halloween party.  I know you'll love them. 

Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers Bacon Wrapped Mummies Video