Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Jalapeno Poppers
Cheesy, creamy, slightly spicy and wrapped in bacon, then drizzled in a seasoned buffalo ranch sauce? Yes please, these tasty, protein packed morsels are the ultimate mashup and perfect for any gathering!
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 445kcal
Ingredients
For the jalapeño poppers:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 4 ounces shredded gouda cheese
- 5 ounces Frank's RedHot sauce
- 1.25 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley (optional)
- 8 ounces cooked and shredded chicken breast (could use thighs as well)
- 10 whole jalapeños, halved lengthwise, seeds and ribs removed
- 10 slices bacon, cut in half
For the buffalo ranch:
- 6 ounces ranch dressing of choice
- 1 ounce Frank's RedHot sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley (optional)
Instructions
- To prepare the filling, combine gouda cheese, cream cheese, Frank's, salt and the dried seasonings. Mix to combine, then stir in the shredded chicken.
- Fill the jalapeño halves with the buffalo chicken mixture, then wrap with bacon. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Once preheated, cook the jalapeño poppers for around 18-22 minutes to reach desired doneness. Depending on the size of your jalapeños and design of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches, and switch the air fryer trays halfway through to ensure even crispiness.
- To make your buffalo ranch, combine your favorite ranch dressing and the remaining 1 ounce of Frank’s red hot with dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Refrigerate, covered until time to use.
- After poppers are done, allow to cool for a minute or two before digging in. Dip in buffalo ranch and dig in!
- Store in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 5 days.
Video
Notes
- To make in a regular oven, simply bake at 375°F for roughly 30-35 minutes, until bacon is completely cooked through.
- Ranch dipping sauce is optional, you could substitute for blue cheese dressing instead.
- Serve with carrots, celery and dipping sauce.
- Any neutral cheese could be substituted in place of gouda cheese. Colby jack, mozzarella or Havarti are a few great options.
Nutrition
Calories: 445kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 2223mg | Potassium: 271mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 176IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 218mg | Iron: 1mg