Description
Spicy jalapeño popper grilled cheese combines creamy cheese with zesty peppers for a mouthwatering sandwich. Crispy bread and melted filling create a perfect lunch or dinner option that satisfies comfort food cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 slices white cheddar cheese
- 2 slices sandwich bread
- 2 slices cooked, crispy bacon, crumbled
- 1 large jalapeno pepper, diced
Dairy and Spreadable Ingredients:
- 1 ounce (28 grams) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise (or softened butter)
Seasoning:
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Coat each bread slice’s interior with a thin layer of mayonnaise or butter, ensuring complete surface coverage.
- Create a zesty cream cheese blend by thoroughly mixing cream cheese with finely chopped jalapenos and a dash of garlic powder until uniformly combined.
- Layer the prepared cream cheese mixture evenly across the uncoated side of one bread slice, maintaining consistent thickness.
- Crumble crispy bacon fragments across the cream cheese spread, creating a savory foundation.
- Strategically arrange cheddar cheese slices atop the bacon, covering the entire surface for maximum melting potential.
- Complete the sandwich construction by positioning the second bread slice, ensuring the mayonnaise-coated side faces outward.
- Position the assembled sandwich inside the air fryer basket, maintaining centered placement for even heating.
- Configure air fryer to 370°F and cook for 8 minutes, rotating sandwich midway through cooking process to achieve golden-brown crispness on both sides.
- Remove sandwich once exterior turns crispy and golden, cheese melts completely, and edges appear perfectly toasted.
- Allow sandwich to rest momentarily before slicing diagonally and serving immediately while maintaining optimal temperature and crunch.
Notes
- Customize Heat levels by removing jalapeno seeds for milder flavor or adding more for extra spiciness.
- Dietary Swap cream cheese with dairy-free alternatives like cashew cream for vegan version.
- Bacon Options use turkey bacon, tempeh bacon, or skip entirely for vegetarian-friendly adaptation.
- Bread Choices experiment with sourdough, whole wheat, or gluten-free bread to match personal preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg