These air fryer Philly cheesesteak jalapeño poppers are what happens when shaved steak, cream cheese and provolone get tucked into jalapeño halves and cooked until the tops are hot and golden. There is no breading to fuss with, and the air-fryer time is only five minutes.
They work well when you want a cheesy appetizer with a little heat but do not want to build a whole party menu around it. If you are building that whole party menu anyway, I respect it. Start with my easy air fryer appetizers roundup.
Quick heads-up: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What goes in the poppers
You only need five ingredients for the tested recipe:
- Shaved steak: The thin pieces cook quickly in a skillet before they go into the filling.
- Jalapeños: Eight large peppers make 16 popper halves.
- Cream cheese: Let it soften so it mixes evenly with the steak.
- Provolone: Shredded provolone gives the filling its cheesesteak flavor.
- Salt and pepper: Season the steak to taste while it cooks.
If you need an air fryer, that link shows the current options on Amazon. You do not need a special accessory for this recipe.
How to make Philly cheesesteak jalapeño poppers in the air fryer
Cook the shaved steak in a skillet over medium heat until no pink remains, seasoning it with salt and pepper as it cooks. The tested recipe allows about 10 minutes for this step.
Cut the jalapeños in half lengthwise, then remove the seeds and white membrane. Mix the cooked steak with the softened cream cheese and shredded provolone. Spoon that mixture into the pepper halves and level the tops.
Arrange the filled peppers in the air-fryer basket, working in batches if you need to. Cook at 350°F for 5 minutes. Thicker jalapeños may need another minute or two to soften. Let the poppers cool for at least five minutes before serving because that cheese filling hangs onto heat.
How spicy are they?
Jalapeños are not perfectly predictable, so one batch can be noticeably hotter than another. Removing the white ribs and seeds usually makes the finished poppers milder. The seeds themselves are not the source of the heat. New Mexico State University explains that capsaicinoids are produced in the pepper's placenta, while the nearby seeds can pick them up through contact.
Gloves are a good idea while cleaning the peppers, especially if your skin is sensitive. Either way, wash your hands well before touching your face.
What to serve with them
Serve the poppers warm on their own or add them to a snack spread with air fryer Korean chicken wings and air fryer frozen mozzarella sticks. For more low-carb ideas, the keto air fryer recipe collection has dinners, snacks, breads and desserts in one place.
Quick answers
What temperature do you use?
Cook the filled jalapeño halves at 350°F.
How long do jalapeño poppers take in the air fryer?
The tested cooking time is five minutes. Add one or two minutes for especially thick peppers, watching the cheese and browning closely.
Are these low carb?
According to the nutrition calculation in the recipe card, one serving of two poppers contains 2.3 grams of net carbohydrates.
Nutrition information
This recipe makes 16 poppers, or eight servings of two. The complete calculated nutrition information remains in the recipe card below.
Philly Cheesesteak Jalapeno Poppers
These Philly Cheesesteak Jalapeno Poppers are a flavorful twist on a low carb favorite! Loaded with cheese and plenty of spice, you can't go wrong with this keto friendly appetizer!
Ingredients
- 2 ounces beef shaved steak
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- 8 large jalapenos
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 ounces shredded provolone
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the beef shaved steak until no pink remains, about 10 minutes. Adding your preferred amount of salt and pepper about halfway through cooking.
- Slice the tops off the jalapenos and cut them in half lengthwise. Use a knife or spoon to carefully remove the seeds and white membrane. You can use gloves for this part if you prefer. The oil inside the pepper and sometimes cause burning and skin irriation.
- In a large bowl, use a rubber spatula to mix the cream cheese, provelone and cooked steak until well combined.
- Use a spoon to fill each jalapeno half with the cheese and meat mixture then level off the top.
- Place the poppers into the air fryer basket, working in batches as needed.
- Set the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and the timer for 5 minutes. If you have thicker jalapenos, you may need to add an extra 1-2 minutes to help them soften. Just be sure to keep an eye on the browning.
- When done, the poppers will be browned and golden on top. Let cool for at least 5 minutes then serve warm.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Servings Serving Size: 2 Jalapeno PoppersAmount Per Serving: Calories: 97.5Total Fat: 7.8gCarbohydrates: 3.5gNet Carbohydrates: 2.3gFiber: 1.2gProtein: 4.3g
EdgedInBlue
Monday 22nd of January 2024
I usually hit the jalapenos alone for 3 minutes in the air fryer if they are nice and thick, then stuff um. I also add some bell pepper in the mix and after removing, sprinkle with crushed crispy onions (Durkees) so I get a bit of low carb crunch!
tammy
Tuesday 30th of March 2021
How long should I cook these in a regular oven?