Air Fryer Magic: Perfectly Cooked Stuffed Peppers

Air fryers are a super-convenient way to cook stuffed peppers, with the added benefit of reducing cooking time by up to half compared to traditional oven cooking. They're a great way to get a tasty, healthy, and filling meal on the table quickly and with minimal clean-up. You can fill your peppers with a variety of ingredients, from meat sauces to vegetarian options, and the air fryer ensures your peppers are cooked to tender perfection without getting soggy.

Choosing the right pepper

Size and Shape:

Look for peppers that are roughly the same size so they cook at a similar rate. Choose peppers with a relatively flat bottom so they can stand upright in the air fryer. This ensures that the hot air circulates around them evenly and prevents them from wobbling or leaning on each other.

Colour and Taste:

The colour of the pepper will influence its flavour. Green bell peppers tend to have a mildly bitter taste, which becomes sweeter as they cook. Yellow and orange peppers are sweeter, while red peppers are the sweetest of the pepper family. If you prefer a sweeter flavour, opt for red, orange, or yellow peppers. However, if you enjoy a mildly bitter taste that balances out during cooking, go for green peppers.

Freshness:

Select peppers that are fresh and firm to the touch. Avoid any that show signs of wrinkling or softening, as this may indicate that they are past their prime.

Texture:

Look for peppers with smooth, unblemished skin. Avoid any peppers with noticeable bruises, cuts, or soft spots, as these can affect the overall texture of the cooked pepper.

Quantity:

Depending on the size of your air fryer, consider the number of peppers you can comfortably fit. Typically, you'll need enough peppers to feed your group, plus perhaps a few extra to allow for uneven cooking or to cater to larger appetites.

Remember, the key to choosing the right pepper is to find ones that will fit well in your air fryer, cook evenly, and suit your taste preferences in terms of colour, flavour, and texture.

Preparing the filling

Sauté the Aromatics

Start by heating some olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat. Add your choice of aromatics, such as onions or shallots, and cook them until they become soft and translucent. You can also add other vegetables like diced peppers, carrots, zucchini, or mushrooms at this stage for extra flavour and texture. Sautéing these ingredients first will create a flavour base for your filling.

Brown the Meat

Once your aromatics are softened, it's time to add your choice of ground meat. You can use ground beef, chicken, turkey, pork, or Italian sausage. Break up the meat with a spatula or wooden spoon and cook it until it is browned and cooked through. Ensure there is no pink meat remaining if you're using beef.

Add Seasonings and Vegetables

Now, it's time to amp up the flavour! Add your desired seasonings, such as garlic, Italian seasoning, basil, or mixed herbs. You can also include vegetables like diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. If you're looking for a plant-based option, you can substitute meat with black beans or other legumes.

Cook the Rice

To add bulk and substance to your filling, include some rice. You can use traditional rice or, for a healthier option, try cauliflower rice to cut down on carbs. Cook the rice according to the package instructions before adding it to your filling mixture. If you're using uncooked rice, make sure to add some water and simmer until the rice is tender.

Combine and Simmer

Once you've added all the ingredients, combine them well and let the mixture simmer. This step helps to blend the flavours and creates a cohesive filling. You can also add some broth or stock to keep it moist and flavourful. Simmer the filling for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired consistency.

Cool and Stuff

Finally, let your filling cool down before stuffing the peppers. This step is crucial as it ensures the peppers don't start cooking from the heat of the filling. Once the filling is cooled, generously stuff each pepper until they are nicely filled. You can top them with shredded cheese or other toppings of your choice.

Remember, you can always get creative and experiment with different ingredients to make your ideal stuffed pepper filling!

Stuffing the peppers

Stuffed peppers are a great, versatile dish that can be served as an appetiser, a light lunch, or a hearty main meal. They are also a fantastic way to get your daily dose of vegetables. The peppers can be stuffed with a variety of fillings, ranging from meat sauces to vegetarian options, and are typically cooked in an air fryer for a quick and easy meal.

To begin stuffing your peppers, you will first need to prepare the peppers themselves. Look for peppers that are roughly the same size so that they cook evenly, and ensure they have a flat bottom so they can stand upright in the air fryer. Cut the tops off the peppers and set them aside, as you can dice them up and add them to your filling if you like. Remove any seeds and membranes from the inside of the peppers and give them a rinse, patting them dry when you're done.

Next, you will need to prepare your filling. This can vary depending on your preference, but a simple option is to sauté onions in olive oil until they are soft, before adding in your choice of protein. For a meaty option, you can use ground beef, chicken, turkey, pork, or Italian sausage. If you would prefer a vegetarian filling, try using black beans, sweetcorn, or a grain like bulgur wheat. You can also add in other vegetables, such as mushrooms, carrots, green onions, zucchini, or squash. To add some extra flavour, throw in some diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. If you are using rice, add this to the mixture now, along with some water, and simmer until the rice is cooked.

Once your filling is ready, it's time to stuff your peppers. Use a spoon to carefully fill each pepper with the mixture, making sure to fill them all the way to the top. Place the stuffed peppers in the air fryer basket, using small balls of foil if necessary to help them stand up straight.

Now, you are ready to air fry your peppers! Depending on your desired level of doneness, air fry the stuffed peppers for 10-17 minutes at 360-400°F. If you are using cheese, add it to the peppers about 2-3 minutes before they are done so that it has a chance to melt.

And that's it! Your air fryer stuffed peppers are now ready to be served and enjoyed.

Air-frying instructions

Firstly, choose your peppers. You can use any colour, but red, orange, and yellow peppers are the sweetest. Look for peppers with a flat bottom so they can stand up in the air fryer. Romano peppers (sweet pointed peppers) are a good alternative to bell peppers for a different look.

Next, prepare the filling. This can be done ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking. You can use a variety of ingredients for your filling, but common options include ground beef, Italian sausage, rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, and cheese. Saute the onions and garlic in a skillet with olive oil until soft and fragrant, then add and brown the meat. Finally, add the rice, spices, and tomatoes and let the mixture simmer.

Now it's time to stuff your peppers. Slice the tops off the peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. If desired, dice the tops of the peppers and add them to the filling. Stand the peppers upright in the air fryer basket, using small balls of foil if necessary to help them stand up straight. Then, fill the peppers with the mixture.

Finally, air-fry your stuffed peppers. Preheat the air fryer to around 200 degrees Celsius. Brush the crisper tray with oil to prevent sticking, then place the peppers in the basket and cook for 10-17 minutes, or until tender. If desired, top with cheese and cook for an additional 2-4 minutes.

Your air-fried stuffed peppers are now ready to serve! They can be enjoyed as a complete meal on their own or with sides such as salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables.

Serving suggestions

Air fryer stuffed peppers can be served as a standalone meal, but they also go well with a variety of side dishes. A simple green salad or steamed or roasted vegetables are the perfect side dish for stuffed peppers. You can also serve them with garlic bread, chocolate chip pudding cookies, or goat cheese salad.

If you're looking for a more filling option, you can serve the peppers with a small amount of rice or bread on the side. For example, you could serve them with a side of salad and/or a small serving of roasted vegetables, or garlic bread.

For those who are health-conscious, the peppers can be made low-carb by swapping out the rice for cauliflower rice. You can also add extra vegetables to the filling, such as black beans, mushrooms, carrots, green onions, zucchini, sweet potatoes, or squash.

Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 3 to 4 days or frozen for up to 3-6 months. To reheat, simply place the peppers back in the air fryer until they're warmed through.

Frequently asked questions