Emilie Meyer
Stuffed bell peppers are a delicious and healthy meal, perfect for a quick family dinner. They are easy to make and can be customised with a variety of fillings and seasonings. Cooking them in an air fryer adds a little crunch, keeps the inside juicy, and reduces the cooking time by half compared to using an oven. This guide will teach you how to cook stuffed bell peppers in an air fryer, from preparing the ingredients to serving the final dish.
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right pepper
You can use any colour pepper you like, and different colours will bring different flavours. Green bell peppers have a mildly bitter flavour that sweetens as it cooks, while yellow and orange peppers are sweeter. Red peppers are the sweetest of the bunch, as they are simply riper green peppers. If you are using leftover peppers from your garden, you can use any variety, and they will all work well.
When preparing your peppers, you will want to slice off the tops and remove any seeds or veins inside. You can save the tops and dice them up to add to your filling if you wish. You may need to remove more of the top to ensure the peppers fit in your air fryer, so keep this in mind when selecting your peppers—you don't want to end up with a pepper that is mostly top!
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Preparing the filling
Now it's time to add your spices and flavourings. You can use Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, or get creative with your own combinations. If you're using rice, add it to the mixture now, along with some water or tomato sauce. You can also add diced tomatoes, either canned or fresh. If you're using cooked rice, simply mix it into the filling until everything is well combined. Finally, scoop the filling into your prepared peppers and place them in the air fryer basket.
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Stuffing the peppers
To make delicious stuffed bell peppers in an air fryer, you'll need to start by preparing the peppers. Look for peppers that are roughly the same size and have a flat bottom so they stand up straight in the air fryer. Rinse the peppers and pat them dry. Cut off the tops and remove any seeds and membranes from the insides. You can save the tops and dice them up to add to your filling later.
Next, make your filling. In a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat, add some olive oil, diced onions, and garlic. Cook this mixture until the onions are almost tender and the garlic is soft and fragrant. Then, add your choice of ground beef, ground chicken, ground turkey, Italian sausage, or a combination. Cook the meat until it is browned and cooked through, and then crumble or drain it. Now, add your cooked rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir everything together and let the mixture simmer.
Once your filling is ready, it's time to stuff the peppers. Using a spoon or scoop, fill each pepper with the mixture until it reaches the top. Be careful not to overfill them. Place the stuffed peppers upright in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't lean on each other as the hot air needs to circulate around them.
Finally, it's time to air fry your stuffed peppers! Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, which can range from 355°F to 400°F, depending on your preference and the model of your air fryer. Cook the peppers for about 15 minutes, keeping an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook. If you'd like to add cheese, take the peppers out after 12-13 minutes, top them with shredded mozzarella, Colby Jack, or cheddar cheese, and then air fry for an additional 2-5 minutes until the cheese is melted.
Your air fryer stuffed bell peppers are now ready to be served and enjoyed! They should be tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked, with no risk of sogginess.
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Air frying
To begin, preheat your air fryer. While the air fryer is heating up, prepare your peppers by slicing off the tops and removing the seeds and veins. If you want to reduce the cooking time, you can blanch the peppers in boiling water for 2-3 minutes before stuffing. However, this step is not necessary as the moisture in the filling and the heat of the air fryer will cook the peppers thoroughly.
Next, make your filling. In a skillet, cook your choice of meat, such as ground beef, chicken, turkey, or Italian sausage, until it is browned. You can also add onions, garlic, and spices to the filling for extra flavour. Once the meat is cooked, add in your rice, diced tomatoes, and any other desired ingredients, such as cheese or vegetables.
Now it's time to stuff your peppers. Fill the peppers with the meat and rice mixture, ensuring they are filled to the top. Place the stuffed peppers in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each pepper to allow for even cooking. Set the air fryer temperature to between 355°F and 400°F, and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender.
Finally, add your cheese. Top each pepper with shredded cheese and continue air frying for an additional 2-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and gooey. Serve your air fryer stuffed bell peppers with a side of your choice, such as a simple green salad or roasted vegetables. Enjoy!
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Storing and reheating
Storing
Allow the cooked stuffed peppers to cool down to room temperature. Place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can store them in the fridge for up to 4 days.
If you wish to store them for longer, freezing is a great option. To freeze the peppers, wrap them in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Place the wrapped peppers in a freezer bag or container and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months. If you are planning on freezing, you may want to leave out the cheese and add it after reheating for the best results.
Reheating
There are several ways to reheat your stuffed peppers:
- Air fryer: Place the frozen stuffed peppers in the air fryer and reheat them for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees F. If reheating from frozen, add a few minutes to the cooking time.
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Place the peppers on a baking tray or in an oven-proof dish, ensuring they are facing upright with a little space between them. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes to melt and brown any cheese on top.
- Microwave: Place the peppers upright on a microwave-safe plate or dish. Cover with a paper towel or microwave-safe plastic wrap and heat on full power for 2 minutes. Check if they are fully heated, and if not, add 30-second increments until steaming hot. However, it is worth noting that reheating peppers in the microwave may negatively affect their texture.
- Stovetop: Use a Dutch oven or a thick pan with good heat distribution, such as a cast-iron skillet. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and heat the pan on medium heat for a few minutes. Place the peppers in the pan and add a tablespoon of water or tomato/marinara sauce to prevent burning. Reheat until steaming hot.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking time varies across recipes, but most sources recommend cooking the peppers for 15 minutes, then adding cheese and cooking for an additional 2-5 minutes.
Temperatures vary across recipes and air fryer models, but most sources recommend cooking the peppers at 355-375°F (174-191°C).
You will need bell peppers, ground beef or turkey, onion, garlic, cooked rice, Italian seasoning, salt, and cheese. You can also add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and spices.
Cut off the tops of the peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. If desired, you can blanch the peppers in boiling water for 2-3 minutes before stuffing to ensure even cooking.
Yes, you can prepare the stuffed peppers up to 24 hours in advance and store them in the fridge. You can also freeze stuffed peppers for up to 3-6 months.
