Air-Fryer Stuffed Peppers: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Air fryer stuffed peppers are a quick, easy, and delicious meal that can be made in under 30 minutes. They are a great option for a weeknight dinner as they are packed with protein, carbs, and vegetables, making them a well-balanced meal. The peppers are filled with a mixture of ground beef, rice, and tomatoes, and are then cooked in the air fryer until tender. This cooking method ensures that the peppers do not become soggy and the filling remains juicy. The recipe can also be customised by adding different types of meat, vegetables, or spices to suit individual tastes.

What ingredients do you need?

There are many different recipes for making stuffed bell peppers in an air fryer, and you can customise the ingredients to your liking. Here is a list of ingredients that you may need to make this tasty dish:

• Bell peppers (any colour)
• Olive oil
• Onion (any colour)
• Garlic
• Ground beef, chicken, turkey, pork, or Italian sausage
• Rice (any variety)
• Canned diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce or paste
• Spices and seasonings (e.g. Italian seasoning, paprika, cumin, cinnamon, dried herbs, salt, and pepper)
• Cheese (e.g. Colby Jack, mozzarella, cheddar, or feta)
• Greek yoghurt
• Fresh herbs (e.g. parsley, dill, basil, mint, and coriander)

How do you prepare the peppers?

Preparing the peppers is a simple process. First, you'll want to cut off the tops of the peppers and remove any seeds and veins from the inside. If your peppers are wobbly and cannot stand upright, you can trim the bottom slightly to create a flat surface. This will ensure they stand up straight in the air fryer. You can also slice a sliver off the bottom of each pepper to create a sturdy base.

It's recommended to use peppers that are roughly the same size and have a good, even bottom. This ensures even cooking and allows the peppers to stand up straight. If you're using larger peppers, it will be easier to fill them. You can use any colour of bell peppers you like, but remember that green bell peppers are less sweet, while red, orange, and yellow peppers are generally sweeter.

Once you've prepared the peppers, you can start making the filling. However, it's important to note that the peppers themselves do not need to be cooked before stuffing and air frying. The moisture in the filling and the heat of the air fryer will cook the peppers to perfection.

How do you make the filling?

To make the filling for your stuffed peppers, you'll need to sauté your choice of meat (ground beef, chicken, turkey, pork, or Italian sausage) with onions and garlic. You can also add in some diced pepper. Once the meat is browned, add in your rice, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasoning. Stir well and let the mixture cook until the rice is done. You can also add in some fresh herbs at the end of cooking.

• Lean ground beef, onion, garlic, cooked rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Ground beef, yellow onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, cooked rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, and pepper.
• Ground beef, onion, garlic, cooked rice, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, canned tomatoes, dried herbs, cinnamon, paprika, cumin, salt, pepper, honey, balsamic vinegar, and fresh herbs.
• Lean ground beef, green onion, parsley, sage, salt, cooked rice, and marinara sauce.

How long do you cook the peppers for?

The cooking time for the peppers depends on the size of the peppers and the temperature of the air fryer. For example, larger peppers will take longer to cook than smaller ones. Most recipes recommend cooking the peppers in the air fryer for 10-15 minutes, or until tender. However, some recipes suggest cooking the peppers for as little as 6 minutes or as long as 20 minutes, depending on the desired level of doneness.

• One recipe recommends cooking the peppers at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, and then adding cheese and cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes.
• Another recipe suggests preheating the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and cooking the peppers for about 10 minutes, or until they are mostly tender.
• A third recipe instructs to cook the peppers at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, and then add cheese and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
• Yet another recipe recommends cooking the peppers at 355 degrees Fahrenheit for a total of 15 minutes, adding the cheese after the first 10 minutes.
• One recipe suggests blanching the peppers in boiling water for 2-3 minutes before air frying them for 5-10 minutes.
• Another recipe recommends preheating the air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit and cooking the empty peppers for 6 minutes before filling and cooking for an additional 8 minutes.

It's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, so it's always a good idea to refer to your air fryer's manual for specific instructions and guidelines. Additionally, you may need to cook the peppers in batches to ensure even cooking and allow for proper air circulation.

What do you serve with stuffed peppers?

There are many options for what to serve with stuffed peppers. Here are some ideas for side dishes:

• Salads, such as a simple arugula salad, a spinach salad with apples, walnuts, and feta, or a cucumber and carrot salad.
• Roasted vegetables, such as lemon Parmesan zucchini sticks, spicy hot honey carrots, or Moroccan carrots.
• Potato-based sides, such as crispy air fryer baby potatoes, garlic Parmesan air fryer sweet potato wedges, or cheesy smashed potatoes.
• Bread, such as homemade garlic bread or garlicky cheesy breadsticks.
• Green beans, such as buttery garlic green beans or Italian green beans with garlic-Parmesan breadcrumbs.

These sides can add extra colour, flavour, and texture to your meal, and many of them can be made in an air fryer as well!

Frequently asked questions