Introduction

These Air Fryer Pull Apart Jalapeño Popper Rolls combine creamy, spicy jalapeños with cheesy goodness wrapped in soft dough. They make a perfect appetizer or snack that’s easy to prepare and irresistibly tasty.

The image shows several golden brown stuffed jalapeño peppers rolled tightly with a crisp, bubbly outer layer. Each pepper is filled with a creamy, slightly browned cheese mixture and small bits of meat visible on top. The peppers themselves have a dark green, wrinkled texture curling around the filling. These rolls are arranged closely inside a white bowl, with slices of bright green fresh jalapeño scattered around. A wooden bowl with a creamy dip is visible in the background, all placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

16 jalapeños
16 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature)
1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded, at room temperature)
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 can pizza dough (or use Pillsbury or crescent roll sheets)
¼ cup butter (melted)
Nonstick cooking spray (as needed)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and spray the basket with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 2: Cut the jalapeños in half lengthwise and carefully remove the seeds and membranes to reduce heat.
Step 3: In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, shredded cheddar, black pepper, and chili powder until well combined.
Step 4: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly on the pizza dough and arrange the jalapeño halves on top, cheese side down.
Step 5: Roll the dough tightly into a log and slice it into 12 to 16 equal pieces.
Step 6: Place the rolls cut side down into the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each.
Step 7: Brush the tops with melted butter to help them brown and become crispy.
Step 8: Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes or until rolls are golden and cooked through.
Step 9: Remove from the air fryer and let cool slightly before serving.

Tips & Variations

For milder rolls, use fewer jalapeños or remove all seeds to reduce heat.
Try adding cooked bacon bits into the cheese mixture for extra flavor.
Substitute Monterey Jack or pepper jack cheese for a different cheesy kick.
If you don’t have an air fryer, bake the rolls in a 375°F oven for 15–20 minutes.

Storage

Store leftover rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to maintain crispiness.

How to Serve

The image shows a white bowl filled with several rolled-up baked snacks that have a golden brown, crispy crust on the outside. Each roll is wrapped around a dark green roasted pepper, which holds a filling of melted and slightly browned cheese with small bits of seasoning visible on top. The texture of the crust looks crunchy and flaky, contrasting with the soft, gooey cheese inside. Around the bowl, there are fresh slices of green jalapeño peppers. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of dough?

Yes, pizza dough, crescent roll dough, or biscuit dough all work well for this recipe, just adjust cooking time if needed.

How spicy are these rolls?

The heat depends on how many seeds you remove from the jalapeños. Removing seeds and membranes will make them milder, while leaving them in will increase the spiciness.

Air Fryer Pull Apart Jalapeño Popper Rolls Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 71 reviews

These Air Fryer Pull Apart Jalapeño Popper Rolls are a spicy, cheesy appetizer perfect for game day or parties. Soft and fluffy pizza dough is stuffed with a creamy mixture of cream cheese, shredded cheddar, black pepper, and chili powder, then wrapped around fresh jalapeños and air fried to golden perfection. The melted butter adds a rich finish, creating irresistible bite-sized rolls with a spicy kick.

Author: Nora
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Yield: 16 rolls 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Jalapeño Filling

16 jalapeños
16 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (at room temperature)
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder

Dough & Coating

1 can pizza dough (or alternatively Pillsbury or crescent roll sheets)
¼ cup melted butter
Nonstick cooking spray (as needed)

Instructions

Prepare Jalapeños: Slice each jalapeño in half lengthwise and carefully remove the seeds and membranes to reduce the heat level. Set aside.
Make Cheese Filling: In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, black pepper, and chili powder. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well integrated.
Prepare Dough: Roll out the pizza dough on a clean surface and cut into squares large enough to wrap around each jalapeño half with filling.
Assemble Rolls: Spoon a generous amount of the cheese mixture onto each jalapeño half and place it on a dough square. Wrap the dough around the filled jalapeño to enclose it completely, pinching edges to seal.
Preheat Air Fryer and Prepare Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Air Fry the Rolls: Place the dough-wrapped jalapeño poppers in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don’t touch. Brush each roll with melted butter. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and cooked through.
Serve: Remove the rolls carefully from the air fryer and allow them to cool slightly before serving for a delicious, cheesy, spicy appetizer.

Notes

For less heat, use mild or deseeded jalapeños.
Ensure cream cheese and shredded cheddar are at room temperature for easier mixing.
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
Brush with additional melted butter after cooking for extra flavor if desired.
Use gloves when handling jalapeños to avoid skin irritation.

Keywords: jalapeño popper rolls, air fryer appetizer, cheesy jalapeño, spicy snack, pull apart rolls