Whether it’s game day and you have company, or you just want to enjoy a tasty snack, there are tons of great frozen appetizer options to make life easier. I love TGI Friday’s jalapeno poppers in the air fryer because they’re quick, simple, and delicious!
Save tons of time by using frozen jalapeno poppers! No more seeding peppers, stuffing, and breading them in preparation. Instead, pop open the box, place them in the air fryer, and enjoy in 10 minutes or less!
I love the TGI Friday’s brand in particular because you can get them in cheddar or cream cheese filled varieties. However, you can use any other brand of frozen jalapeno popper you like as well.
Taking all the hard work out of it means that you can get to the best part even faster – eating! These stuffed peppers are a perfect appetizer, tailgate food, game day snack, and more.
They’re a crowd pleaser that many people enjoy, and as long as you don’t purchase a bacon filled variety, they’re suitable for vegetarian diets as well.
What You’ll Need: Ingredients
1 box frozen TGI Friday’s stuffed jalapeno poppers, any variety
Dipping sauces if desired (optional)
Ingredient Tips and Notes
Fridays makes both cream cheese and cheddar cheese stuffed varieties, and both work great. You can also use other brands, such as FarmRich, McCain, Crav’n, Appetitos (Aldi), Kroger, and more!
My store sells both 15-ounce and 32-ounce boxes, but wholesale clubs may have larger sizes. You can cook as many frozen jalapeno poppers at a time as fit in a single layer in your air fryer (with no additional time needed)!
Some brands come with dipping sauce, like the raspberry habanero dip with Fridays’ cream cheese variety. Other great options include other fruit sauces, sweet chili sauce, or ranch
Step By Step Cooking Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (or the closest setting your air fryer has). If you choose to skip this, plan to add 2-3 minutes to cooking time to account for the cooler starting temperature
Place the frozen jalapeno poppers into the preheated air fryer basket or rack in a single layer, allowing some air space between each one
Cook on the air fry setting for 8-10 minutes at 380°F, pausing halfway through to flip, until the exterior is golden brown and interior reaches 165°F
Serve hot, with dipping sauce if desired
What to Serve With Jalapeno Poppers
Chips and guacamole
Spinach and artichoke dip
Nachos
Queso
Salsa
Mexican rice
Chicken wings
Sliders
Mozzarella sticks
Cocktail meatballs
Bacon wrapped scallops
Potato skins
Cabernet
Chardonnay
Peppery cocktails
Pair your jalapeno poppers with other appetizers or sides to make the perfect party display or a complete meal!
Can You Put Friday’s Jalapeno Poppers in the Air Fryer?
Yes, you can definitely air fry Friday’s jalapeno poppers. It’s a great way to achieve a crispy and delicious texture using less oil than deep frying and it’s faster than the oven.
Preheat your air fryer, arrange the poppers in a single layer, and follow the recommended time and temperature for a fantastic result.
How Do You Cook TGIF Poppers in an Air Fryer?
Cooking TGI Friday’s jalapeno poppers in an air fryer is simple. Preheat your air fryer, typically to around 380°F (193°C). Place the poppers in a single layer in the basket and air fry for 8-10 minutes, turning them halfway through.
Times will vary slightly based on your specific air fryer, as well as the brand of frozen jalapeno poppers you use.
How Long Do You Cook Frozen Jalapeno Poppers in the Air Fryer?
The cooking time for frozen jalapeno poppers in the air fryer can vary, but a good starting point is around 8-10 minutes at 380°F (193°C).
Check their crispiness and browning levels, and add additional time in small increments if needed. Be sure to arrange them in a single layer for even cooking.
How to Cook TGI Friday Jalapeno Poppers?
TGI Friday jalapeno poppers may be cooked in the deep fryer at 350°F for 6 minutes, in a conventional oven at 450°F for 15 minutes, or in the air fryer at 380°F for around 10 minutes.
All methods require flipping halfway through the cooking process to promote even crisping.
What is the Best Way to Cook Frozen Jalapeno Poppers?
The best way to cook frozen jalapeno poppers is using an air fryer. It provides a healthier alternative compared to deep frying since it uses less oil.
Additionally, cooking in the air fryer requires about half the time of the conventional oven, so you save time as well as energy costs to prepare them in this manner.
Recipe Pro Tips
Like many frozen foods, you do not need to spray any oil on TGI Fridays jalapeno poppers before cooking. They come with enough inherently frozen in the breading that it’s not needed for the air fryer
My frozen poppers were perfectly cooked and verified via instant read thermometer in a Ninja air fryer after 8 minutes total. Other air fryers may vary slightly
It is normal for the jalapeno poppers to leak a little filling, as it heats and expands during cooking. This just means they’re hot and ready to eat!
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftover jalapeno poppers in an airtight container or zippered bag in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Do not refreeze once they have been cooked once
Reheat previously cooked jalapeno poppers in the air fryer for 5-7 minutes at 350°F, or in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. Times will vary slightly based on the type of jalapeno popper you have (whole breaded, halved and stuffed, or even bacon wrapped)
TGI Fridays frozen jalapeno poppers cook up beautifully in the air fryer. Get that crunchy coating you love with less oil than deep frying, and in way less time than the conventional oven!
Starting with frozen means that all the hard work of preparing and stuffing the peppers is done for you! Just heat and eat, and get back to entertaining or watching the game that much sooner.
I love adding jalapeno poppers to my game day spread because everyone loves them, and they’re a vegetarian friendly option as well. Plus, Fridays makes both cream cheese and cheddar cheese varieties, so you can please any palette!
TGI Fridays Jalapeno Poppers Air Fryer Recipe
Make TGI Fridays jalapeno poppers in your air fryer in under 10 minutes! They’ll be golden, crispy, and delicious, making for an easy yet delicious appetizer option!
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (or the closest setting your air fryer has). If you choose to skip this, plan to add 2-3 minutes to cooking time to account for the cooler starting temperature
Place the frozen jalapeno poppers into the preheated air fryer basket or rack in a single layer, allowing some air space between each one
3 frozen TGI Fridays jalapeno poppers
Cook on the air fry setting for 8-10 minutes at 380°F, pausing halfway through to flip, until the exterior is golden brown and interior reaches 165°F
Serve hot, with dipping sauce if desired
Notes
Fridays makes both cream cheese and cheddar cheese stuffed varieties, and both work great. You can also use other brands, such as FarmRich, McCain, Crav’n, Appetitos (Aldi), Kroger, and more!
My store sells both 15-ounce and 32-ounce boxes, but wholesale clubs may have larger sizes. You can cook as many servings of frozen jalapeno poppers at a time as fit in a single layer in your air fryer (with no additional time needed)!
Some brands come with dipping sauce, like the raspberry habanero dip with Fridays’ cream cheese variety or cilantro lime sauce with the cheddar filled version. Other great options include other fruit sauces, sweet chili sauce, or ranch
Like many frozen foods, you do not need to spray any oil on TGI Fridays jalapeno poppers before cooking. They come with enough inherently frozen in the breading that it’s not needed for the air fryer
My frozen poppers were perfectly cooked and verified via instant read thermometer in a Ninja air fryer after 8 minutes total. Other air fryers may vary slightly
It is normal for the jalapeno poppers to leak a little filling, as it heats and expands during cooking. This just means they’re hot and ready to eat!
Store leftover jalapeno poppers in an airtight container or zippered bag in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Do not refreeze once they have been cooked once
Reheat previously cooked jalapeno poppers in the air fryer for 5-7 minutes at 350°F, or in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. Times will vary slightly based on the type of jalapeno popper you have (whole breaded, halved and stuffed, or even bacon wrapped)
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Keyword air fryer appetizers, easy frozen appetizers, frozen jalapeno poppers in air fryer, restaurant snacks at home, tgi fridays jalapeno poppers air fryer, tgi fridays poppers air fryer ninja
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
