Meat-free Monday: Creamy jalapeno poppers

Classic comfort food… with a spicy kick! Jalapeno poppers are a tasty snack that mixes the heat of jalapenos with crunchy garnish and a creamy, cheesy core. The poppers, which are often stuffed with cream cheese, have a rich taste that is wonderful on their own or coupled with dipping sauces. Recipe by Instant Pot.

Serves: 8-10 | Prep Time: 20-25 minutes | Cook: 12 minutes 

Ingredients

• 16-20 small jalapeno chillies, washed
• 200g plain cream cheese
• 150g smoked pepper cream cheese
• 100g mozzarella cheese, finely chopped
• ¼ cup chopped fresh dill
• Sea salt & cracked black pepper, to taste
• ½ a cup of flour
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 3 cups panko breadcrumbs
• Creamy dipping sauce, to serve

Method

1. Slice the stalks off of the chillies. Using the handle of a teaspoon, scoop out the white membrane & seeds of the chillies – wash your hands well when done.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, dill and season well with sea salt & cracked black pepper. Mix well.
3. Using the handle of a teaspoon, fill the chillies with the cream cheese mixture. Dip the filled chillies into flour, followed by beaten egg and then Panko crumbs. Repeat the process for a second dip.
4. Place the crumbed chilli poppers onto a lined baking tray and place in the refrigerator to firm up for 20 minutes.
5. Set the Vortex air fryer to the air fry setting, at 202C for 12 minutes or until the poppers are golden, the chillies softened and the cheese melted.
6. Remove from the air fryer and serve the poppers with a scatter of fresh dill and a creamy dipping sauce.