Ways to upgrade air-fried pepper poppers
While this simple air-fried cheese-and-pepper snack is already delightful, it reaches new heights when you incorporate gourmet cheese options like Brie or feta. Both cheeses are spreadable and provide unique flavor profiles that are even more distinctive than cream cheese. If you prefer to stick with cream cheese but want a bit of crunch to complement its creaminess, consider using the leftover cheese and tuna ball from your last gathering.
A cheese ball recipe, whether it includes tuna or not, can easily be stuffed into your halved peppers just like cream cheese. However, it also brings in additional flavors such as onions, garlic, bacon, nuts, ranch dressing, and Worcestershire sauce, giving your poppers a rich umami and sometimes smoky taste that plain cream cheese simply can't match. You can also draw inspiration from popular stuffing mixtures used in dishes like stuffed mushrooms. For example, adding panko breadcrumbs to your cheese creates a creamy, savory, and crunchy blend that tastes just as amazing in peppers. To elevate the flavor, opt for a stuffing mix that features seafood like crab or a cheesy smoked sausage blend instead of the standard mushroom mix.
To finish off your stuffed peppers, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan or Romano cheese will give them a beautiful golden-brown top, thanks to the Maillard reaction (which is distinct from caramelization). For an extra touch, drizzle some hot honey or maple syrup over the top to create a sweet-and-savory flavor reminiscent of the dips served with pepper poppers at your favorite fast-casual restaurant.
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