Air-Fried Stuffed Peppers: A Quick, Easy, And Tasty Recipe

Air fryer stuffed peppers are a quick and easy meal that can be made in less than 30 minutes. They are a great option for a weeknight dinner as they are healthy, delicious, and can be customised with different ingredients. The peppers are filled with a savoury mixture and cooked to tender perfection in the air fryer, resulting in a juicy inside with a crunchy exterior. This recipe is a great way to use up leftover rice and get your daily dose of vegetables.

Choosing the right peppers

Size and Shape:

Look for peppers that are roughly the same size so that they cook evenly. Also, select peppers with a relatively flat or even bottom so that they can stand upright in the air fryer. The hot air needs to circulate around them, so avoid peppers that are wobbly or lean on each other. If necessary, you can trim the bottoms of the peppers to create a flatter surface.

Colour:

You can use any colour of bell peppers you like or mix and match for a colourful meal. Remember that larger peppers are easier to fill and cook. Here are some common colours and their flavours:

• Green bell peppers have a mildly bitter flavour that sweetens during cooking.
• Yellow and orange peppers are sweeter.
• Red peppers are the sweetest of the pepper family.

Freshness:

Choose fresh bell peppers that are firm and have smooth, shiny skin. Avoid older, softer, or wrinkled peppers as they may not hold up well during cooking. Look for peppers with bright, vibrant colours and avoid those with spots or bruises.

Variety:

Feel free to use a variety of peppers such as green, red, yellow, or orange. You can also mix different colours in your dish for a colourful presentation.

When selecting peppers for air fryer stuffed peppers, look for ones that are similar in size and shape, with a flat bottom to stand upright. Choose fresh, firm peppers with bright colours, and don't be afraid to mix different colours for a vibrant dish.

Preparing the filling

First, you'll want to cook your filling ingredients. Start by heating some olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add in your diced onion and cook until it's almost tender. If you're using garlic, add that in now and cook for another minute or so. Next, add your ground beef, sausage, or other protein of choice. Cook and crumble this until it's no longer pink.

Now it's time to add in your other filling ingredients. Pour in your diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, rice, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. If you're using other spices or ingredients like black beans, zucchini, or cheese, add them in now as well. Stir everything together and let it simmer.

Your filling is now ready to be stuffed into your peppers!

Stuffing the peppers

To make delicious stuffed peppers in an air fryer, you'll need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Prepare the Peppers

Chop the tops off the peppers and remove any seeds and veins from the inside. If your peppers are wobbly and won't stand up straight, you can slice a bit off the bottom to create a flat surface. Look for peppers with an even bottom so that they don't lean on each other, as you want the hot air to circulate well and cook the peppers evenly.

Step 2: Make the Filling

For the filling, you can use a variety of ingredients such as ground beef, Italian sausage, onion, garlic, rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and various seasonings. Cook the meat with the onion and garlic, then add the rest of the ingredients and let the mixture simmer. You can also add cheese to the filling for extra flavour.

Step 3: Stuff the Peppers

Once your filling is ready, scoop it into the peppers, filling them to the top. Make sure to leave some space at the top, as the peppers will cook more evenly this way.

Step 4: Air Fry

Place the stuffed peppers in the air fryer basket and cook at 360°F for 12-15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender. If you want to add cheese, sprinkle it on top of the peppers and air fry for an additional 1-3 minutes until the cheese is melted.

Air-frying techniques

Air fryers are a great way to cook stuffed peppers as they take half the time it would in an oven. The air fryer also adds a little crunch to the peppers and keeps the insides juicy and delicious. Here are some tips and tricks for making the most of your air fryer when cooking stuffed peppers:

Preheat your air fryer

Although air fryers do not technically need to be preheated, doing so will ensure more consistent timing. Preheat to 350°F–380°F for around 5 minutes.

Prepare the peppers

Look for peppers that are roughly the same size so they cook evenly. Peppers with a good, even bottom will stand up better. If your peppers are wobbly, trim a little off the bottom so they sit flatter. If you have peppers with uneven bottoms, you can cut them in half and fill them that way.

Filling

You can use a variety of fillings for your peppers. Here are some ideas:

• Ground beef, chicken, turkey, pork, or Italian sausage
• Rice, quinoa, riced cauliflower (for low-carb), or couscous
• Diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, or marinara sauce
• Onion, garlic, zucchini, celery, mushrooms, or sweet potatoes
• Spices such as Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, cumin, or taco seasoning
• Cheese such as Colby Jack, cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack

Cooking

When cooking, don't overcrowd the basket. Leave enough space between each pepper to allow the hot air to circulate. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the peppers in batches.

Timing

Cook the peppers at 360°F–380°F for 10–15 minutes until tender. Then, top with cheese and cook for an additional 2–5 minutes.

Reheating and Storing

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4–5 days or frozen for up to 6 months. Reheat in the air fryer until warmed through.

Serving suggestions

• Salad: A simple green salad is a great, healthy side dish to accompany the peppers. You could also try a kale and goat cheese salad.
• Bread: Garlic bread is a tasty option to serve alongside the peppers.
• Rice: Try Mexican red rice, or even tortilla chips and guacamole.
• Vegetables: Try roasted vegetables, such as brussels sprouts, sweet potato fries, or air fryer smashed potatoes.
• Meat: If you want to bulk up the meal with more meat, try Italian sausage.
• Dessert: Cookie bars or chocolate chip pudding cookies will satisfy your sweet tooth.

Frequently asked questions