Keto Jalapeno Poppers | Whole30
Published Jul 13, 2021 Updated Jul 11, 2023
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Crispy bacon. Cream Cheese mixture. A hint of spice. Is your mouth watering yet? If I just described your perfect low-carb appetizer, you are in the right place. My crispy jalapeno poppers are wrapped in bacon and fried to perfection in my air fryer in just minutes!
No air fryer? No problem! I’ve included an oven baking method as well. Using low-carb, keto, & Whole30 ingredients, this recipe is diet-friendly, party-friendly, and just so gosh darn good!
What Makes This Recipe Work
Growing up, I loved going to Sonic and ordering their Crispy Jalapeño Poppers. Although those poppers are absolutely delicious, they are filled with a ton of calories and unwanted ingredients.
Since switching to a healthier lifestyle, I wanted to remedy my craving and create a jalapeño popper that is dairy-free, keto and Whole30 compliant. With just over 2 net carbs per popper, these stuffed jalapeños are the perfect low-carb snack!
How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
Ingredients
- Jalapeños
- Bacon: I always check the label to make sure my bacon is sugar-free!
- Dairy-free cream cheese: I use Kite Hill, but Miyokos makes one and so does Trader Joe’s!
- Chopped onions
- Coconut aminos
- Salt/pepper
- Paprika
Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
I LOVE my air fryer! Making these keto jalapeño poppers in the air fryer gets them super crispy, without any of the greasiness that typically comes from frying. If you have an air fryer, get ready for the best jalapeño poppers ever!
- Cut the jalapeños in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and ribs.
- Mix together the dairy-free cream cheese, diced onion, paprika, dairy-free mozzarella cheese, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.
- Fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture. Cut the slices of bacon in half crosswise and wrap each pepper half in a slice of bacon, using a toothpick to secure the bacon.
- Spray the air fryer basket and arrange to where the peppers are not touching.
- Cook at 390F for 10-15 depending on how crispy you like your bacon.
Keto Jalapeño Poppers Oven Method
Cooking these bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers in the air-fryer is my favorite way to get them super crispy. However, if you don’t have an air fryer you can make these in the oven and they will still turn out delicious!
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Cut the jalapeños in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and ribs.
- Mix together the dairy-free cream cheese, diced onion, paprika, dairy-free mozzarella cheese, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.
- Fill each jalapeño half with the cream cheese mixture. Cut the slices of bacon in half crosswise and wrap each pepper half in a slice of bacon, using a toothpick to secure the bacon.
- Arrange the peppers on the baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until bacon is crispy and browned.
Peachy Tips & Tricks
- Secure the jalapeño popper with a toothpick if you are cutting the bacon in half. Securing the bacon will keep it in place because if not, as it cooks it will shrink and fall off the pepper. If you don’t want to cut the bacon, just wrap the whole slice around the pepper multiple times so it stays in place.
- Air fryers are all sodifferent so make sure to change your cook time to accommodate how crispy you like the bacon.
- Dairy: If you are not dairy-free, feel free to sub regular cream cheese and mozzarella.
- Dipping: These poppers pair perfectly with my homemade ranch dressing for dipping.
This is a question that is asked a lot by the Whole30 community. Below is the Whole30 creator’s answer:
“Nut cheeses and dips ARE compliant on the program, with a strong caveat that these should be used with caution, especially if you know you rely on cheese as comfort or stress-relieving food, OR if cheese is a trigger for other food cravings (like wine or crackers). As with Larabars or almond butter, Whole30 HQ and our Coaches all recommend that program participants use with caution, and think critically about whether including these foods in their Whole30 is a healthy choice, given their contexts and goals.”
Store your poppers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Yes! This is an awesome low-carb appetizer! Each popper just has 2 net carbs!
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Keto Jalapeno Poppers | Whole30
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon cut in half
- 6 jalapeños cut in half and seeds removed
- 8 oz. of dairy-free or regular cream cheese
- 1/2 cup dairy free mozzarella or regular mozzarella will work
- 2 tsp coconut aminos
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Salt/pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons diced onions
Instructions
Jalapeño Popper Air Fryer Method
- Cut the jalapenos in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and ribs.
- In a medium bowl mix together the dairy-free cream cheese, diced onion, paprika, dairy-free mozzarella cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Fill each jalapeno half with the cheese mixture. Cut the slices of bacon in half crosswise and wrap each pepper half in a slice of bacon, using a toothpick to secure the bacon.
- Spray the air fryer basket and arrange to where the peppers are not touching.
- Cook at 390F for 10-15 depending on how crispy you like your bacon.
Jalapeño Popper Oven Method
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Cut the jalapenos in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and ribs.
- In a medium bowl mix together the dairy-free cream cheese, diced onion, paprika, dairy-free mozzarella cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Fill each jalapeno half with the cheese mixture. Cut the slices of bacon in half crosswise and wrap each pepper half in a slice of bacon, using a toothpick to secure the bacon.
- Arrange the peppers on the baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until bacon is crispy and browned.
Video
Notes
- If you are cutting the bacon, be sure to secure it with a toothpick. If not, as the bacon cooks it will shrink and fall off the pepper. If you don't want to cut the bacon, just wrap the whole slice around the pepper multiple times so it stays in place.
- All air fryers are different so make sure to change your cook time to accommodate how crispy you like the bacon.
- If you are not dairy-free. feel free to sub regular cream cheese and mozzarella.
- These poppers pair perfectly with my homemade ranch dressing for dipping.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.