Easy Healthy Low Calorie Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
Get ready to elevate your snack game with these easy low calorie jalapeño poppers. Whether you’re watching your calories, carbs, or WeightWatchers Points or just aiming for a lighter healthier option from the traditional version, this jalapeno popper recipe delivers.
Simple ingredients including whipped cream cheese, a touch of reduced-fat Mexican cheese, crispy panko breadcrumbs, and real bacon bits create a symphony of flavors that prove healthy eating doesn’t have to mean sacrificing taste. The air fryer provides these poppers a delectable crispiness without the need for excess oils. They are a guilt-free way to satisfy a craving while staying on track.
As the pinnacle of football season, Super Bowl Sunday, approaches you may be on the lookout for healthy recipes. If you are on a low calorie diet, this easy jalapeño poppers recipe is the perfect appetizer to serve at your next party or game day gathering.
How Many Calories and WeightWatchers Points in these Easy Air Fried Jalapeño Poppers?
According to my calculations, each serving of 4 poppers (½ recipe) has just 84 calories. To see your WW Points for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site, Click here!
Why these Air-fried Cream Cheese Jalapeño Poppers Can Be a Good Choice for WeightWatchers?
Tasty and Controlled Portions: Each popper is designed to satisfy your cravings without overdoing it. Enjoy the goodness in just the right portion, keeping your healthy eating goals in check.
Delicious Flavors: With ingredients like whipped cream cheese, Mexican cheese blend, and bacon bits, these healthy jalapeño poppers bring lots of flavor to the table. Weight Watchers allows you to enjoy a variety of foods, and these poppers make for a healthy appetizer without going overboard.
Balanced Nutrition: Packed with a mix of ingredients, these jalapeño halves bring a balanced blend of carbs, proteins, and healthy fats to the table. Choosing reduced-fat Mexican cheese and whipped cream cheese helps to lower the fat and WW Points.
Air-Frying Goodness: Using an air fryer means less need for extra cooking fats. Embracing healthier cooking methods, such as air-frying is a great choice for your waistline.
Easy Healthy Low Calorie Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers Ingredients
4 fresh jalapeños, rinsed and dried
4 tablespoons whipped cream cheese with chives
1 tablespoon shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend
1 tablespoon panko bread crumbs
1 tablespoon real bacon bits
How to Make Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers, Step-by-Step
Step 1: Gather and prepare all ingredients.
Ready to make jalapeno poppers
Step 2: Using a small sharp knife, carefully cut the whole jalapeño peppers in half lengthwise and remove the ribs and seeds. (The jalapeño seeds can be very hot. If your skin is sensitive be sure to wear gloves). Set aside.
Cutting peppers in half to remove ribs and seeds
Step 3: In a small mixing bowl, stir together the whipped cream cheese, shredded cheese and bacon crumbles until combined. Spread the cheesy filling mixture into each pepper half, dividing it equally between the 8 pepper halves. Sprinkle the Panko breadcrumbs over the cream cheese mixture on each jalapeño.
Spread cream cheese mixture into prepared jalapenos and sprinkle Panko over the top of each pepper
Step 4: Place the stuffed pepper halves on the crisper plate in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Place the prepared jalapeno poppers in the air fryer basket
Step 5: Press the Air Fry function on your TurboBlaze™, reduce the heat to 360F degrees and cook for 10 minutes, until tops turn golden.
Air fry for 10 minutes at 360F degrees
Step 6: Carefully remove jalapeños from the basket and enjoy.
Cook peppers until golden brown
Step 7: Store any leftover jalapeño poppers in an airtight container.
Air fryer jalapeno poppers appetizer
Recipe Notes, Variations and Substitutions
Breadcrumb Options: For the crispiest poppers, opt for Panko breadcrumbs; however, regular breadcrumbs work well too if that’s your preference. Crushed cornflake crumbs would also work.
Cheese Options: I used reduced fat Mexican cheese blend but feel feel free to use whatever you prefer and have on hand: cheddar cheese, Monterey jack, or Pepper Jack for extra spice.
Low-Carb Twist: For a low-carb version, skip the panko and wrap the poppers in a slice of bacon for an extra flavor boost.
Gluten-Free: To make gluten-free jalapeño poppers, simply substitute regular panko with gluten-free panko.
Whipped Cream Cheese: Is regular cream cheese that goes through an additional process of whipping, which incorporates air into the mixture, making it lighter and fluffier. It is much easier to spread than regular cream cheese. I used chive flavored but you could always use plain and season it any way you desire – with, onion powder, garlic powder, chopped green onions, chopped chives, cayenne pepper, etc.
You could make your own light whipped cream cheese at home. Allow a block of lower fat cream cheese to come to room temperature. This makes it easier to whip into a light and fluffy texture. Here’s a simple recipe for savory whipped cream cheese you could use in this Easy Healthy Cream Cheese Stuffed Jalapenos Recipe:
DIY Savory Whipped Cream Cheese Ingredients:
8 ounces (about 226 grams) low fat cream cheese, softened
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon dried dill
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
In a mixing bowl, use an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer with the whisk attachment to whip the softened cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy.
Taste the whipped cream cheese and adjust the seasonings as needed. Add salt, pepper, or more of any of the savory ingredients to achieve the desired flavor profile.
Use the mixture immediately or transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use. It will firm up slightly in the refrigerator but remains spreadable.
Make Ahead: Make these ahead by preparing and stuffing the peppers, but wait to add the sprinkle of Panko until you are ready to cook. This will keep the Panko from getting soggy from the cream cheese mixture.
Extra Spicy: Adding a bit cayenne pepper or your favorite hot sauce is a great way to kick up the spice level in this jalapeño popper recipe.
Vegetarian: Skip the bacon to make these stuffed jalapeños vegetarian or substitute your favorite imitation bacon bits or vegan-friendly bacon alternative.
Open-face air fryer jalapeno poppers
What to Serve with Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers?
Enjoy these stuffed jalapeño poppers with other favorite appetizers or before your next Mexican-inspired dinner. They would pair nicely alongside 2-ingredient salsa chicken, chicken enchiladas verde, crock pot chicken posole turkey taco pie or chicken enchilada tacos.
Cheesy air fryer jalapeno poppers
How to Store Leftover Stuffed Jalapeños
With this petite 2-serving recipe, the chances of having any leftovers are quite slim! A good thing because stuffed Jalapeños are best eaten hot from the air fryer. If there are any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge; they’ll stay fresh for up to 4 days. Leftovers can be gently reheated in your air fryer, by reheating for 3-5 minutes until heated through.
In addition to be savory whipped cream cheese is perfect for spreading on crackers, bagels, or sandwiches. It adds a delicious savory kick without any added sugar.
Are You Ready To Firmly Plant Yourself
On The Path To Lasting Weight Loss Success?
If you’ve made these enlightened Air Fried Jalapeño Poppers (Low Calorie/Low Carb), please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Easy Low Calorie Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Cheese Options: I used reduced fat Mexican cheese blend but feel feel free to use whatever you prefer and have on hand: cheddar cheese, Monterey jack, or Pepper Jack for extra spice.
Low-Carb Twist: For a low-carb version, skip the panko and wrap the poppers in a slice of bacon for an extra flavor boost.
Gluten-Free: To make gluten-free jalapeño poppers, simply substitute regular panko with gluten-free panko.
Whipped Cream Cheese: Is regular cream cheese that goes through an additional process of whipping, which incorporates air into the mixture, making it lighter and fluffier. It is much easier to spread than regular cream cheese. I used chive flavored but you could always use plain and season it any way you desire – with, onion powder, garlic powder, chopped green onions, chopped chives, cayenne pepper, etc.
You could make your own light whipped cream cheese at home. Allow a block of lower fat cream cheese to come to room temperature. This makes it easier to whip into a light and fluffy texture. Here’s a simple recipe for savory whipped cream cheese you could use in this Easy Healthy Cream Cheese Stuffed Jalapenos Recipe:
DIY Savory Whipped Cream Cheese Ingredients:
8 ounces (about 226 grams) low fat cream cheese, softened
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon dried dill
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
In a mixing bowl, use an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer with the whisk attachment to whip the softened cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy.
Taste the whipped cream cheese and adjust the seasonings as needed. Add salt, pepper, or more of any of the savory ingredients to achieve the desired flavor profile.
Use the mixture immediately or transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use. It will firm up slightly in the refrigerator but remains spreadable.
Make Ahead: Make these ahead by preparing and stuffing the peppers, but wait to add the sprinkle of Panko until you are ready to cook. This will keep the Panko from getting soggy from the cream cheese mixture.
Extra Spicy: Adding a bit cayenne pepper or your favorite hot sauce is a great way to kick up the spice level in this jalapeño popper recipe.
Vegetarian: Skip the bacon to make these stuffed jalapeños vegetarian or substitute your favorite imitation bacon bits or vegan-friendly bacon alternative.
Serving size: ½ recipe (4 stuffed pepper halves)
Click here to see your WW Points for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site.
2 *PointsPlus (Old plan)
Nutrition
Recipe source: Healthy Air Fryer Cookbook: 100 great recipes with fewer calories and less fat! by Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC
*Points® calculated by WW. *PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® calculated by Simple Nourished Living; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers International, Inc. All recipe ingredients except optional items included in determining nutritional estimates. SmartPoints® values calculated WITHOUT each plan’s ZeroPoint Foods (Green plan, Blue plan, Purple plan) using the WW Recipe Builder.
More Easy Healthy WW Friendly Appetizers and Snacks You’ll Love
Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms
Cheesy Black Bean Nachos Made Lighter
Air Fryer Crunchy Cajun Chickpeas
Everything But the Bagel Parmesan Crisps
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The post Easy Healthy Low Calorie Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers appeared first on Simple Nourished Living.
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