Air-Frying Bell Peppers: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great way to cook bell peppers, allowing you to enjoy them all year round without having to brave cold temperatures. They are a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook peppers, with a variety of serving options. You can use any colour of bell pepper, though red peppers are the sweetest and green peppers have a more bitter taste. You can also stuff peppers with beef, sausage, rice, and cheese, and cook them in the air fryer.

Air fryer bell peppers as a side dish

Air fryer bell peppers are a quick, easy, and healthy side dish that can be served with a variety of mains. They are also very versatile, as you can use any colour of bell pepper and season them with a wide range of spices and herbs.

Ingredients

You will need:

• Bell peppers (any colour)
• Olive oil (or avocado oil)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Other seasonings of your choice (e.g. garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Cut the tops off the peppers and remove the seeds and ribs.
• Slice the peppers into strips or halves, around ¼-½ inch thick.
• Place the pepper pieces into a large bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can also add other seasonings of your choice.
• Place the peppers into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with minimal overlap.
• Cook for 10-15 minutes, tossing every 5 minutes, until the peppers are tender and slightly charred.

Serving Suggestions

Air fryer bell peppers go well with:

• Grilled meats, such as steak, chicken, or sausage
• Fajitas, tacos, or burrito bowls
• Pasta dishes
• Sandwiches, such as cheesesteaks or subs
• Salads or grain bowls
• Stir-fries

Storage

Allow the peppers to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container or ziplock bag in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 5 months.

Air fryer stuffed peppers

Ingredients:

• Peppers: You will need four large peppers. Red, green, yellow, or orange bell peppers will work. Look for peppers that are somewhat flat on the bottom so they can stand upright in the air fryer.
• Filling: You can use a mixture of ground beef, Italian sausage, rice, and diced tomatoes.
• Seasoning: Keep it simple with onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning.
• Cheese: Shredded cheddar or any other cheese you prefer.

Instructions:

• Brown the meat: In a skillet, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage together, crumbling it as it cooks.
• Prepare the filling: Add the onions and garlic to the skillet and let them soften. Then, stir in the rice, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasoning.
• Prepare the peppers: Rinse and dry the peppers. Cut off the tops and remove the seeds and membranes. You may need to trim the bottoms slightly so they stand upright in the air fryer.
• Air fry: Add the peppers to the air fryer, keeping them upright. If necessary, use small balls of foil to help them stand. Spoon the filling into the peppers and air fry for 12-15 minutes at 360°F.
• Melt the cheese: Sprinkle the tops of the peppers with cheese and return to the air fryer for an additional minute to melt the cheese.

Tips:

• You do not need to boil the peppers before air frying. They will cook perfectly in the air fryer and will be tender-crisp when done.
• If you want a more tender pepper, cook at 330°F for about 5 minutes before filling with the meat mixture.
• You can freeze any extra stuffed peppers in individual freezer bags and reheat them in the air fryer when ready to eat.

Variations:

• Meat: Try using ground chicken, turkey, pork, or Italian sausage.
• Vegetables: Add black beans, mushrooms, zucchini, sweet potatoes, or other vegetables to the filling.
• Rice: Substitute with brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
• Sauces: Use your own marinara sauce, pizza sauce, or even BBQ sauce.
• Spices: Experiment with different combinations like taco seasoning, onion soup mix, ranch dressing mix, or fajita seasoning.
• Cheese: Besides cheddar, you can use Monterey Jack, pepper jack, Swiss, or mozzarella.

Air fryer bell peppers with olive oil

Ingredients

• Bell peppers (any colour)
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Optional Ingredients

• Onion
• Sausage
• Cilantro
• Lime juice
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Oregano
• Balsamic vinegar

Instructions

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. If your air fryer doesn't require pre-heating, you can skip this step.
• Remove the stems, seeds, and membranes from the peppers.
• Cut the peppers into slices or strips about 1/2-inch thick.
• In a large bowl, toss the peppers with olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can also add any other desired seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or oregano.
• Place the peppers in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
• Cook for a total of 10-12 minutes, shaking or tossing halfway through. The peppers are done when they start to soften and develop a nice char.
• Serve as a side dish or add to your favourite dishes such as fajitas, burrito bowls, pasta, or sandwiches.

Tips

• If you want to add onions, slice them thick enough so they don't fall through the holes of the air fryer basket.
• You can also add sliced Italian sausage or turkey sausage to the air fryer basket along with the peppers for a heartier dish.
• To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• To reheat, use the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes or until warmed through. You can also use the microwave, stovetop, or oven.

Air fryer bell peppers with garlic powder

Yes, you can cook bell peppers in an air fryer. In fact, air-fried bell peppers are a quick, easy, and healthy way to add flavor and nutrition to almost any dish.

Below is a recipe for air fryer bell peppers with garlic powder.

Ingredients:

• 3 bell peppers
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Wash and dry the bell peppers. Remove the stems, seeds, and membranes, and slice the peppers into 1/2-inch thick strips.
• In a large bowl, toss the bell pepper slices with olive oil, garlic powder, and salt until the strips are evenly coated.
• Place the bell peppers in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring there is space between each pepper for air to flow. Work in batches if necessary.
• Air fry the peppers for 8-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The peppers are done when they are tender with a slight char on the outside.
• Serve as a side dish or add to your favourite meals like fajitas, burrito bowls, sandwiches, or wraps.

Tips:

• For the best results, slice the bell peppers as evenly as possible so that they cook at the same speed.
• If your peppers are not blistering, you may have overcrowded the air fryer or the peppers may have had too much external moisture.
• You can store leftover bell peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• To reheat, preheat the air fryer to 400°F and cook the peppers for 2-3 minutes until heated through.

Air fryer bell peppers with onions

Yes, you can put bell peppers in an air fryer! Here is a recipe for air fryer bell peppers with onions:

Ingredients:

• 3 medium-sized bell peppers (any colour)
• 1 medium-sized red onion
• 1-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
• Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Cut the peppers and onion into 1/2-inch slices.
• Place the pepper and onion slices in a large bowl and add the oil, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Toss until well combined.
• Spray the air fryer basket and place the peppers and onions inside in a single layer.
• Air fry for 15-17 minutes, tossing halfway through, until fork-tender.
• Serve immediately with a dash of red pepper flakes, if desired.

Tips:

• For even cooking, cut the peppers and onions into uniform slices. If you cut them thinner or thicker, you may need to adjust the air frying time.
• If you prefer your peppers and onions softer, air fry them for a few minutes longer.
• If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook the peppers and onions in batches.
• If you're using a larger air fryer, the cooking time may be reduced.
• You can use any type of onion for this recipe, but red onions will make the dish sweeter.
• Any colour of bell pepper can be used, but green bell peppers are not as sweet as the other colours and may taste slightly bitter.
• If you like your food spicy, add a dash of crushed red pepper flakes, or try adding chilli powder, smoked paprika, or cumin.

Frequently asked questions