Gluten-Free Jalapeño Poppers (Dairy-Free)

Why This Recipe Works:

• Simple Ingredients: The main ingredients required for making these gluten-free jalapeño poppers are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
• Easy to Make: Preparing these spicy jalapeño appetizers is uncomplicated and a batch is ready in 30 minutes.. which is perfect for game day!
• Totally Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: The best part is that this easy jalapeno popper recipe is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy them without issues!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for making this gluten-free jalapeño poppers recipe.

(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Recipe Notes + Substitutions:

• Jalapeño Peppers: Since this is a recipe for jalapeño poppers, jalapeño peppers are a key ingredient here. Alternatively, if you prefer an alternative to these spicy peppers that is less spicy, you may also use baby bell peppers instead. (Be careful not to rub your eyes after cutting the jalapeños as it will cause your eyes to sting. It is best to wear disposable gloves for this.)
• Bacon Crumbles: You can either use ready-made bacon crumbles, or make your own by cooking bacon strips until very crispy then crumbling them into small pieces. If you prefer to make vegan jalapeño poppers, you may use vegan bacon bits instead.
• Cream Cheese: I used dairy-free cream cheese to keep this recipe dairy-free. However, if you are not lactose-intolerant, you may also use regular cream cheese instead.
•  Mozzarella Cheese: I used shredded dairy-free mozzarella cheese to keep this recipe dairy-free, but if you are not lactose-intolerant, you may use regular shredded mozzarella cheese instead.
• Mayonnaise: If you wish to keep this recipe vegan, you may use vegan mayonnaise instead.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: I used gluten-free panko breadcrumbs to keep this recipe gluten-free. Regular gluten-free breadcrumbs will work too. However, if you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, feel free to use regular panko breadcrumbs instead.
• Granulated Garlic: I’ve added granulated garlic for extra flavor. Alternatively, you may also use garlic powder instead. For other seasonings, you may also use onion powder, ground paprika etc.

How to Make Gluten-Free Jalapeño Poppers (Step by Step):

1. Cut Jalapeño & Remove Seeds

Slice jalapenos in half lengthwise and remove seeds.

(TIP: Be careful not to rub your eyes after cutting the jalapeños as it will cause your eyes to sting. It is best to wear disposable gloves for this.)

2. Prepare Filling

In a large bowl, combine the bacon crumbles, dairy-free cream cheese, dairy-free mozzarella, and mayonnaise in a large mixing bowl.

Mix the ingredients thoroughly until you get a homogeneous cream cheese mixture.

3. Fill Jalapeños

Fill each jalapeño half with the cream cheese-bacon filling.

4. Preheat Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 360F.

5. Sprinkle Panko on Top

Sprinkle gluten-free panko breadcrumbs on top of stuffed jalapeños. Place the jalapeño halves in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

(TIP: You may need to cook them in two batches depending on the size of your air fryer).

6. Cook Jalapeño Poppers

Air fry the jalapeño poppers for 7 minutes. If needed, increase the air frying time by 1-2 minutes.

7. Repeat Until All Cooked

Air fry the remaining jalapeño poppers until done.

8. Serve and Enjoy

Sprinkle the gluten-free jalapeno poppers with fresh parsley and serve immediately, while they are still hot and the cheesy filling is still soft.

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:

• Alternative to Jalapeños: If you prefer an alternative that is not so spicy, you may also use baby bell peppers instead.
• No Air Fryer? Use the Oven: If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake place the stuffed peppers on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake these in the oven at 425F for 10 to 13 minutes (until the peppers are tender).
• Leave Out the Breadcrumbs: If you wish you can also leave out the breadcrumbs before baking them, and then sprinkle with the jalapeno poppers with crushed potato chips once cooked.
• Serve These Jalapeño Poppers With: These will go great alongside potato chips or tortilla chips.

Other Gluten-Free Jalapeño Recipes:

• Easy Pickled Jalapeños (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Jalapeño Cornbread (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Spicy Pico de Gallo (Salsa Fresca)

Gluten-Free Appetizer Recipes for the Holiday Season:

P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!

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Gluten-Free Jalapeño Poppers (Dairy-Free)

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• Author: Felicia Lim
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

In these gluten-free jalapeño poppers, spicy jalapeño peppers are stuffed with a creamy filling and then sprinkled with breadcrumbs and air-fried till crispy on top. They make a crowd-pleasing appetizer for gatherings and the holiday season. Totally dairy-free too.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 jalapeño peppers, sliced in half lengthwise and seeds removed
• 4 tablespoons bacon crumbles
• 4 tablespoons dairy-free cream cheese
• 4 tablespoons shredded dairy-free mozzarella
• 2 tablespoons mayonaise
• 4 tablespoons gluten-free panko breadcrumbs
• 1/3 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 1/3 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Cut Jalapeños & Remove Seeds: Slice jalapenos in half lengthwise and remove seeds. (Be careful not to rub your eyes after cutting the jalapeños as it will cause your eyes to sting. It is best to wear disposable gloves for this.)
2. Prepare Filling: In a large bowl, combine the bacon crumbles, dairy-free cream cheese, dairy-free mozzarella, and mayonnaise in a large mixing bowl. Mix the ingredients thoroughly until you get a homogeneous mixture.
3. Fill Jalapeños: Fill each jalapeño half with the filling mixture.
4. Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 360F.
5. Sprinkle Panko on Top: Sprinkle gluten-free panko breadcrumbs on top of stuffed jalapeños. Place the jalapeño halves in a single layer in the air fryer basket. (You may need to cook them in two batches depending on the size of your air fryer).
6. Cook Jalapeño Poppers: Air fry the jalapeño poppers for 7 minutes. If needed, increase the air frying time by 1-2 minutes.
7. Repeat Until All Cooked: Air fry the remaining jalapeño poppers until done.
8. Serve and Enjoy: Serve the gluten-free jalapeño poppers immediately, while they are still hot and the cheesy filling is still soft.

Notes

Jalapeño Peppers: Since this is a recipe for jalapeño poppers, jalapeño peppers are a key ingredient here. Alternatively, if you prefer an alternative that is not so spicy, you may also use baby bell peppers instead. Be careful not to rub your eyes after cutting the jalapeños as it will cause your eyes to sting. It is best to wear disposible gloves for this.

Bacon Crumbles: You can either use ready-made bacon crumbles, or make your own by cooking bacon strips until very crispy then crumbling them into small pieces. If you prefer to keep this recipe vegan, you may use vegan bacon bits instead.

Cream Cheese: I used dairy-free cream cheese to keep this recipe dairy-free. However, if you are not lactose-intolerant, you may also use regular cream cheese instead.

 Mozzarella Cheese: I used shredded dairy-free mozzarella cheese to keep this recipe dairy-free, but if you are not lactose-intolerant, you may use regular shredded mozzarella cheese instead.

Mayonnaise: If you wish to keep this recipe vegan, you may use vegan mayonnaise instead.

Panko Breadcrumbs: I used gluten-free panko breadcrumbs to keep this recipe gluten-free. However, if you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, feel free to use regular panko breadcrumbs instead.

Granulated Garlic: I’ve added granulated garlic for extra flavor. Alternatively, you may also use garlic powder instead. For other seasonings, you may also use onion powder, ground paprika etc.

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins
• Category: Appetizers
• Method: Air Fryer
• Cuisine: American