Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers: A Quick, Easy Feast

Air fryers are a great way to make stuffed peppers. They're quick, easy, and convenient, and they give the peppers a nice crunchy texture while keeping the insides juicy. You can use any colour of bell pepper you like and fill them with ground beef, sausage, rice, and cheese. The key to getting them just right is to pre-cook the filling, leave enough space between each pepper in the air fryer so that they cook evenly, and keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.

Choosing the right peppers

When choosing the right peppers for your air fryer stuffed peppers, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, look for peppers that are roughly the same size and have a good, even bottom so they can stand up in the air fryer. If you struggle to find peppers that stand up straight, you can always trim the bottom so they sit flatter. You could also use small balls of foil to help them stand upright.

Secondly, while you can use any colour of pepper, it's worth noting that different colours have different flavours. Green bell peppers have a mildly bitter flavour that sweetens as they cook, while yellow, orange, and red peppers are sweeter, with red being the sweetest. If you're after a slightly earthier flavour, go for green, but if you want something a little less bitter, opt for one of the sweeter options. Just remember to avoid peppers with wrinkled skin, soft spots, or mouldy stems as these are signs that a pepper is past its prime.

Finally, if you're planning on par-cooking your peppers before stuffing them, look for peppers with similar heights and widths so they cook evenly.

Preparing the filling

The filling for your air fryer stuffed peppers can be made with a variety of ingredients, but typically includes a combination of meat, vegetables, and cheese. Here's a step-by-step guide to preparing a simple and delicious filling:

Step 1: Choose your meat. Ground beef is a popular choice, but you can also use ground chicken, turkey, pork, or Italian sausage. If you prefer a vegetarian option, you can use cooked rice and beans as your base.

Step 2: Chop your vegetables. Onion, garlic, and bell peppers are commonly used, but you can also add carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, or sweet potatoes for extra flavour and texture.

Step 3: Sauté your vegetables in a skillet with some olive oil over medium heat until they are softened. This usually takes around 5 minutes.

Step 4: Add your chosen meat to the skillet and cook until it is browned and cooked through. If using ground meat, use a spatula to break it up into small pieces as it cooks.

Step 5: Stir in your spices and seasonings. This can include Italian seasoning, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, or any other combination of spices that you prefer.

Step 6: Add cooked rice to the mixture. You can use white or brown rice, or even substitute with cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option.

Step 7: Mix in a can of diced tomatoes and/or tomato sauce. This will add moisture and flavour to your filling.

Step 8: Remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool slightly before stuffing your peppers.

Feel free to get creative with your filling! You can add different types of cheese, beans, or even swap out the rice for quinoa or couscous. Once your filling is prepared, you can move on to the next step of assembling and cooking your air fryer stuffed peppers.

Stuffing the peppers

To stuff your peppers, you'll first need to prepare the filling. This can be done by sauteing onions in olive oil until they're tender, then adding in your choice of ground meat (beef, chicken, turkey, or Italian sausage) and cooking until browned. Next, add in your rice, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasonings, stirring everything together.

Now it's time to stuff the peppers! First, cut off the tops of your peppers and remove any seeds or veins. Then, fill each pepper with the meat and rice mixture. You can also sprinkle cheese on top of the filling to prevent the rice from getting too crunchy.

If your peppers are wobbly and can't stand up straight, you can trim the bottoms slightly to create a flatter surface. It's important to leave space between each pepper so that the air can circulate properly. You may need to cook them in batches if your air fryer is on the smaller side.

Once your peppers are stuffed and standing upright, they're ready to be cooked in the air fryer!

Air frying

To make stuffed peppers in an air fryer, first prepare the peppers by slicing off the tops and removing the seeds and veins. If the peppers are wobbly and cannot stand up straight, you can trim the bottom so they sit flatter.

Next, make the filling. Saute the onions and garlic in a skillet until soft and fragrant. Then, add the ground beef and cook until browned. You can also add other ingredients to the filling, such as Italian sausage, rice, beans, tomatoes, and various seasonings.

Once the filling is ready, stuff the peppers with the mixture and place them in the air fryer basket. Make sure to leave space between each pepper to allow for proper air circulation.

Air fry the peppers at around 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes, or until tender. Then, top with shredded cheese and air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted.

You can also make ahead and store leftovers. Allow the peppers to cool, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for later.

Storing and reheating

If you want to keep them for longer, you can freeze them. First, let them cool completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then in aluminium foil to prevent freezer burn. Put them in a freezer bag or container and they'll be good for up to six months.

When you're ready to eat your frozen peppers, you can defrost them overnight in the fridge, then reheat them in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes, checking halfway through. You can also reheat them straight from frozen in the air fryer—just add a few minutes to the cooking time.

You can also reheat your peppers in the oven, on the stovetop, in the microwave, or in a toaster oven. Here are some instructions for each method:

Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F and place your peppers in an oven-safe dish. Cover the dish with aluminium foil and bake for 15-20 minutes. Check halfway through and add a splash of water or broth if the peppers look dry. Let them rest for five minutes before serving.

Stovetop

Use a Dutch oven if you have one, or a thick pan with good heat distribution. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and heat on medium for a few minutes. Place the peppers in the pan, keeping them upright, and cover with a lid. Turn the heat down to low and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the middle of the peppers is heated through. Add water as needed to prevent the peppers from drying out or burning.

Microwave

Place the peppers on a microwave-safe plate or in a microwave-safe dish. Cover them with a paper towel or plastic wrap—just don't use foil, as it could spark. Microwave on full power for two minutes, then add 30-second intervals until the peppers are hot all the way through.

Toaster Oven

Place the peppers in a small baking dish that fits in your toaster oven. Cover with foil and toast at 325°F for 10-15 minutes. Check halfway through and add a bit of water if needed. Let them rest before serving to ensure the filling is fully heated.

Frequently asked questions