Emilie Meyer
Stuffed bell peppers are a delicious and healthy meal, and cooking them in an air fryer makes them even better. The air fryer adds a bit of crunch to the peppers while keeping the inside juicy and delicious. They also cook in half the time compared to a regular oven, making them a great option for a quick and easy dinner. You can fill your peppers with ground beef, Italian sausage, rice, and cheese, or get creative with your own fillings. The peppers are easy to prepare and cook in the air fryer, making them a convenient and tasty meal option.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | Cooks in half the time of an oven |
| Texture | Crispy on the outside, juicy and <co: 1,6,7,8,17>tender on the inside |
| Taste | Flavoursome and delicious |
| Nutritional value | Healthy, low-carb, high-protein |
| Filling | Beef, sausage, rice, cheese, vegetables |
| Customisation | Can be customised with different fillings and seasonings |
| Preparation | Easy to make, no pre-cooking required |
| Storage | Can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 6 months |
| Reheating | Can be reheated in the air fryer |
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What You'll Learn
How to prepare the peppers
Preparing the peppers is a straightforward process. First, select your peppers. Any colour will work, but green peppers are the most affordable, and red peppers are the sweetest. Look for peppers that are roughly the same size so they cook evenly, and ensure they have a flat bottom so they can stand up in the air fryer.
Next, rinse the peppers and pat them dry. Then, cut off the tops and set them aside. You can dice the tops and add them to the filling if you like. Remove the seeds and membranes from the insides of the peppers and discard them. If your peppers are wobbly, you can slice a small bit off the bottom to create a flat surface, but be careful not to puncture the pepper.
Now your peppers are ready to be stuffed!
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What ingredients to use for the filling
There are many different ingredients you can use to fill your stuffed peppers. A classic combination is ground beef, Italian sausage, and rice. You can also add in onion, garlic, and diced tomatoes. If you're looking for something with a bit more spice, try adding in some Worcestershire sauce, parsley, sage, and green onion.
If you're not a fan of beef, you can swap it out for ground chicken, lean ground turkey, or Italian seasoned ground turkey. You can also add in some cooked frozen diced cauliflower to bulk up your filling without adding extra starch.
When it comes to cheese, mozzarella and cheddar are popular choices, but you could also try crumbling some feta on top. If you're using pre-shredded cheese, be aware that it may not melt as well due to the addition of anti-caking agents.
Finally, don't forget to season your filling! Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper are all great options, but you can also add in some red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
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How long to cook the peppers for
The cooking time for stuffed peppers in an air fryer varies depending on the recipe and the type of air fryer. Most recipes recommend cooking the peppers for 15 minutes at temperatures between 350°F and 400°F. Some recipes suggest cooking the peppers for a shorter time, such as 10 minutes, while others recommend cooking them for up to 20 minutes.
It's important to note that the cooking time may depend on the size and shape of the peppers. Peppers that are roughly the same size will cook more evenly. It's also important to ensure that the peppers can stand upright in the air fryer to allow hot air to circulate around them. If the peppers are wobbly, you can slice off a bit of the bottom to create a flat surface.
Additionally, the cooking time may depend on the fillings used. For example, if you are using raw meat or vegetables, they may need a longer cooking time to ensure they are cooked through. On the other hand, if you are using pre-cooked fillings or fillings that don't require cooking, such as rice or cheese, you may need a shorter cooking time.
To ensure the peppers are cooked to your desired doneness, it's recommended to keep an eye on them during the last few minutes of cooking. You can also use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the filling, especially if it contains meat. The US Department of Agriculture recommends cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F.
If you are reheating leftover stuffed peppers, they can be cooked in the air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes at 350°F. If reheating from frozen, you may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
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How to reheat the peppers
To reheat your stuffed peppers, first, let them cool down completely. Then, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and aluminium foil to prevent freezer burn. Place them in a freezer bag or an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 4 to 6 months.
When you're ready to eat them, thaw the peppers overnight in the fridge. Then, place them back in the air fryer and reheat at 350°F to 400°F for 10 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat them straight from the freezer if you're short on time—just add a few minutes to the cooking time.
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What to serve the peppers with
Air fryer stuffed peppers are a quick, easy, and healthy meal. They are versatile and can be served with a variety of side dishes to make a complete and balanced meal. Here are some ideas for what to serve with your air fryer stuffed peppers:
Salads
A fresh and light salad can complement the hearty stuffed peppers. Try a simple green salad, or get creative with different ingredients. Some options include:
- Arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette and shaved Parmesan
- Baby spinach salad with fruit, nuts, and cheese
- Tomato, cucumber, and jalapeño salad
- Broccoli salad
- Quinoa salad
- Caesar salad
- Kale Caesar pasta salad
- Protein pasta salad
Roasted Vegetables
Roasted veggies make a great side dish and can be prepared in the air fryer alongside your stuffed peppers. Try roasting asparagus, zucchini, carrots, or broccoli. For an extra indulgent option, try air fryer eggplant Parmesan.
Starchy Sides
Add some carbohydrates to your meal with starchy sides such as garlic mashed potatoes or roasted potatoes. For a lighter option, serve with crusty bread or warm breadsticks.
Dips and Snacks
For a casual meal, serve your stuffed peppers with dips and snacks. Air fryer mozzarella sticks or carrot fries go well with stuffed peppers and can be served with warm marinara sauce for dipping.
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Frequently asked questions
Stuffed bell peppers take around 15 minutes to cook in an air fryer, plus an additional 2-5 minutes with cheese on top.
This depends on your air fryer, but most recipes recommend cooking at 355-400°F.
You will need bell peppers, olive oil, onion, ground beef/turkey/chicken, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, rice, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cheese.
Yes, you can make them up to 24 hours in advance and store them in the fridge. You can also freeze them for up to 3-6 months.
A simple green salad or steamed/roasted vegetables go well with stuffed bell peppers.
