VEGAN JALAPENO POPPERS
Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, these Vegan Jalapeño Poppers are bursting with flavor and just the right amount of spice. Perfect as a snack or appetizer, they’re irresistible fresh from the oven and even better with a dip of vegan ranch.
TENDER PEPPER BASE
These jalapeños are the star of the show, perfectly prepped to balance flavor and heat. Sliced in half and carefully de-veined, they can be customized to your preferred spice level — a little for mild, a little more for a fiery kick. Whether baked or air-fried, they’ll turn tender while keeping their fresh, crisp bite, ready to cradle the creamy filling to come.
CREAMY & CRUNCHY COMBO
The creamy filling made with vegan cream cheese pairs perfectly with a golden, crunchy breadcrumb topping. Together, they turn simple jalapeños into a snack or appetizer everyone will love.
SIMPLE STEPS TO MAKE THESE VEGAN JALAPENO POPPERS
Prepare Jalapeno's Adjusting For Flavor
Prepare Filling with Vegan Cream Cheese & Spices
Prepare Topping with Vegan Butter, Panko Breadcrumbs, and Paprika
Vegan Jalapeno Poppers Ingredients
STEP 1 – PREPARE THE PEPPERS:
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Preheat oven or air fryer to 400°F.
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Slice jalapeños in half lengthwise, leaving the stem on one side.
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Scoop out the seeds and veins, leaving some for desired heat.
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Air fryer tip: For softer peppers, pre-cook them for 1–2 minutes before filling.
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Arrange cut-side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
STEP 2 – MAKE THE FILLING:
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Mix vegan cream cheese, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning until fully blended.
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Spoon the mixture into each jalapeño half.
STEP 3 – PREPARE THE TOPPING:
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Melt vegan butter in a small bowl.
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Stir in panko and paprika until evenly coated.
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Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over each filled jalapeño.
STEP 4 – COOK THE POPPERS:
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Bake for 20 minutes in the oven, or 5 minutes in the air fryer, until tops are golden brown.
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Let cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
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Make-ahead tip: The poppers can be assembled ahead of time and baked just before serving.
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Optional: Serve with vegan ranch.
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Vegan Jalapeno Poppers
Ingredients
- 6-8 Medium-Large Jalapeño Peppers
- 8 oz Vegan Cream Cheese
- ¼ C Nutritional Yeast
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 3 Tbsp Vegan Butter
- ⅓ C Panko Bread Crumbs
- ½ tsp Paprika
- Vegan Ranch Dressing optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven or air fryer to 400°F.
- Slice jalapeños in half lengthwise, leaving the stem on one side for a nice presentation.6-8 Medium-Large Jalapeño Peppers
- With a small spoon, scoop out the seeds and veins and discard. Tip for heat: Leaving a bit of vein will add extra spice. To give options, leave more vein in the halves with stems and less in the others so everyone can choose their preferred heat level.
- Arrange the jalapeños cut-side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Air Fryer Note: Jalapeños will stay a bit firmer when cooking in the air fryer. For softer peppers, pre-cook them for 1–2 minutes before filling, then continue as directed.
- Mix the filling ingredients in a small bowl until fully blended.8 oz Vegan Cream Cheese, ¼ C Nutritional Yeast, 1 tsp Garlic Powder, 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- Spoon the cream cheese mixture into each jalapeño.
- In a separate small bowl, melt the vegan butter.3 Tbsp Vegan Butter
- Stir in the bread crumbs and paprika until evenly coated.⅓ C Panko Bread Crumbs, ½ tsp Paprika
- Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over each popper.
- These poppers can be assembled ahead of time and baked just before serving.
- Bake for about 20 minutes, or air fry for about 5 minutes, until the tops are golden brown.
- Let the poppers cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
Optional to Serve:
- Serve with vegan ranch for dipping.Vegan Ranch Dressing
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FAQ'S FOR THIS VEGAN JALAPENO POPPERS RECIPE
1. Can I make these vegan jalapeño poppers ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble these dairy-free jalapeño poppers a few hours in advance and bake them just before serving, making them a convenient vegan party snack.
2. How can I adjust the spice level of these plant-based jalapeño poppers?
For milder poppers, remove most of the veins and seeds. Leave some veins in for extra heat so everyone can enjoy them at their preferred spice level.
3. Can I use an air fryer instead of baking in the oven?
Absolutely! Air fry for about 5 minutes. For softer peppers, pre-cook them for 1–2 minutes before filling to get the perfect tender bite.
4. What can I serve with these vegan jalapeño poppers?
These plant-based jalapeño poppers are delicious on their own or served with vegan ranch dressing for dipping, making them a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
