Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers are a dairy-free twist on a game day staple! They're filled with homemade cashew cheese and wrapped in crispy prosciutto. You only need 7 ingredients and they take just 10 minutes in the air fryer!
If jalapeño poppers are usually a part of your game day menu, you'll want to try this air fryer version with cashew cheese and prosciutto.
I've taken some liberties with the classic recipe, leaving out the cream cheese, cheddar cheese and panko crumbs, but I think you'll enjoy this twist.
The cashew cheese still gives you a creamy and 'cheesy' filling, and the prosciutto adds just the right amount of saltiness to complement the spicy jalapeños.
Table of contents
What is cashew cheese?
Cashew cheese is a plant-based cheese alternative that uses cashew nuts as a base ingredient instead of milk. While you can make or buy cultured cashew cheese, you can also quickly make it by soaking cashews in hot water and blending them together with nutritional yeast and seasonings.
In this recipe, we're using smoked paprika which pairs with the nutritional yeast to create a smokey, cheesy flavour. Feel free to change it up and add different spices and/or herbs.
Details on the ingredients
You only need 7 ingredients to make these dairy-free jalapeño poppers!
- Jalapeños - While I usually make these poppers with green jalapeños, the day I photographed them, I used black jalapeños. They're pretty similar to traditional green jalapeños, except they're flesh is a darker colour green (almost black) and they have a slightly milder taste than the green variety.
- Cashews - I used raw and unsalted whole cashews for the cashew cheese, and soaked them in hot water for 30 minutes. I haven't tested this recipe with salted or roasted cashews. I imagine the results would be similar, it just may change the taste of the cashew cheese.
- Prosciutto - This is just thinly sliced, dry-cured ham. When it's cooked, it gets crispy like bacon.
- Nut milk - I added a quarter of a cup of cashew milk to the cashew cheese mixture to make it more creamy and spreadable (and it also helps blend it up). You can use almond milk or another type of nut or seed milk. Just make sure it is unsweetened and unflavoured.
- Nutritional yeast - This is deactivated yeast that has a cheesy flavour and flaky texture.
- Smoked paprika - This will give the cashew cheese a smokey flavour. I don't recommend substituting regular paprika as it has a sweeter taste.
- Salt - Just a pinch goes into the cashew cheese.
How to make jalapeño poppers without cream cheese
- Soak your cashews in hot water.
- Drain the cashews and blend them together with some cashew milk, nutritional yeast, smoked paprika and salt.
- Cut your jalapeños in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and membranes.
- Fill each jalapeño half with cashew cheese and wrap with prosciutto.
- Air fry in a single layer on 325F for 10-12 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the prosciutto is crispy. (You may need to air fry in two batches).
Can you make these jalapeno poppers in advance?
You can prepare the cashew cheese the day before and keep it covered in the refrigerator. You can even stuff and wrap the jalapeños a few hours in advance. Just cover and refrigerate until you are ready to air fry them.
Storage and reheating leftovers
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and they should last for 1-2 days.
To reheat, you can warm them in the microwave for a few seconds or place them on a sheet pan and bake in the oven on 350F for 4-5 minutes.
Key recipe tips
- When removing the seeds and membrane from the jalapeños, I suggest wearing gloves to project your hands from getting spice burns.
- To make cashew dips and cheeses, I recommend using a high-powered food processor or blender. If you don't have a powerful one, you may just need to blend the mixture for a little longer or try soaking the cashews overnight instead of just for 30 minutes.
- The cashew cheese only has a minimal amount of salt added. I did this as the prosciutto is salty and I didn't want a salty flavour to overpower the spicy jalapeños. If you like it saltier, feel free to add more to the cashew cheese.
- The cashew cheese puffs up while air frying, so be sure not to overfill the jalapeños.
- I suggest not over doing it on the prosciutto. If you wrap too many layers around the stuffed jalapeños, the prosciutto will end up chewy instead of crispy.
- Be careful not to air fry your jalapeños for too much longer than the recommended time. The peppers may get soft and mushy and the prosciutto will start to burn.
- You don't want to overcrowd the air fryer either, so I recommend air frying the jalapeño poppers in at least two batches.
More air fryer snack recipes
If you make this recipe, I'd love to hear what you think in the comments below!
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Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers (Dairy-Free)
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1 cup hot water
- ¼ cup unsweetened cashew milk, (or almond milk)
- 1 ½ tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 12 small jalapeño peppers
- 8 slices prosciutto
Instructions
- Add the cashews to a glass dish, cover with hot water and let soak for 30 minutes.
- Drain the cashews and add them to a blender or food processor along with the nut milk, nutritional yeast, smoked paprika and salt. Blend on high until creamy.
- Cut your jalapeños in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and membrane. (Wear gloves to protect your hands).
- Tear each slice of prosciutto into 3 pieces. (Make sure they're big enough to wrap around a jalapeño).
- Fill each jalapeño half with cashew cheese and wrap with a piece of prosciutto.
- Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray. Add the jalapeños in a single layer and air fry on 325F for 10-12 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the prosciutto is crispy.
- Repeat until all the jalapeños are air fried.
Notes
- You can use traditional green jalapeños or black jalapeños (pictured in this recipe), which have a darker color (almost black) and a milder taste.
- A high powered blender or food processor works best to make the cashew cheese filling.
- The cashew cheese will puff up in the air fryer, so be sure not to overfill the jalapeños.
- This recipe was tested using a Philips 2.75 quart air fryer. If you're using a different brand, model and/or size, you may need to adjust the temperature or air frying time slightly.
Nutrition Facts per Serving
Disclaimer
Nutrition information is an estimate only and will vary depending on the substitutions made and the brands used.
Did you make this recipe or have any questions?
I love reading your comments and addressing your questions, so please leave your comments and ratings or questions below!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
I looooove jalapeno poppers! I bet the air fryer makes these so crispy and delicious! I would 100% make a meal out of this!
Leanne says
We've totally made a meal out of them! Thanks Katherine!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen says
We've got an air fryer recently too. We have only tried cooking potatoes, peppers, and tofu so far. But I know for sure where I can find my inspiration! 🙂 These jalapenos look fantastic, and of course I do love the prosciutto part!
Leanne says
Thanks Ben! You'll love your air fryer. So many fun recipes to try in it!