Emilie Meyer
Air fryer stuffed peppers are a quick, easy, and delicious meal. They are a great way to use up leftover rice and can be filled with ground beef, Italian sausage, and cheese. The peppers can be pre-cooked in the microwave or boiled to speed up the air frying process, which takes around 15 minutes at 355°F. The air fryer keeps the peppers from getting soggy and adds a little crunch, while keeping the inside juicy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook time | 10-20 minutes |
| Temperature | 355-375°F (190°C) |
| Ingredients | Peppers, beef, sausage, rice, cheese, onion, garlic, olive oil, tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, parsley, marinara |
| Preparation | Slice tops off peppers, remove seeds, sauté onions and garlic, brown beef, add other ingredients, stuff peppers, cook in air fryer |
| Storage | Can be refrigerated for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 6 months |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right pepper
Secondly, you should select a pepper that is large enough to be stuffed. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to adjust the number of peppers you use. For example, one source mentions fitting four peppers in the first round and two in the second round. Another source mentions cooking three peppers in a 6-quart air fryer with no overcrowding.
Thirdly, consider the colour of the pepper, as this will impact the flavour. Green bell peppers have a mildly bitter flavour that sweetens during cooking. Yellow and orange peppers are sweeter, and red peppers are the sweetest of the pepper family.
Lastly, it is recommended to parboil or microwave the peppers before stuffing them, as this can help to ensure they are cooked through and have a desirable texture.
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Preparing the filling
To prepare the filling, start by rinsing and patting dry your bell peppers. Remove the tops and set them aside, ensuring that the peppers will fit upright in your air fryer—trim the bottoms if necessary. Remove the seeds and membranes from the peppers and discard them, or dice the pepper tops to add to your filling later.
In a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat, add olive oil, diced onion, and garlic. Cook until the onions are almost tender and the garlic is soft and fragrant. Next, add your ground meat of choice and cook until it is browned and cooked through, stirring often to break up the meat. You can also add other ingredients to your filling at this stage, such as parsley, sage, and green onion.
Once the meat is cooked, add your rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and any desired spices or seasonings. Some common additions include Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Let the mixture simmer until it starts to boil, and then it's ready to be scooped into your prepared peppers.
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Stuffing the peppers
To make stuffed peppers in an air fryer, you'll first need to prepare the peppers. Look for peppers that are somewhat flat on the bottom so they can stand up on their own. Rinse the peppers and pat them dry. Remove the tops and, if necessary, slice off a bit of the bottom to create a flat surface (without puncturing the pepper). Remove the seeds and membranes from the peppers and discard them. Set the peppers aside.
Dice the tops of the peppers, if desired, and add them to the filling. You can sauté the onions and garlic in an oiled skillet until soft and fragrant. Then, add the ground beef and cook until it's browned all over. You can also add other ingredients like Italian sausage, cooked rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and salt to the mixture. Stir the mixture well.
Once the filling is ready, use a spoon or scoop to fill the peppers with the mixture. Fill the peppers to the top and place them in the basket of the air fryer. If your peppers are wobbly and not standing up straight, you can lean them against each other, but it's preferable to ensure they stand on their own.
Some people suggest pre-cooking the peppers before stuffing them. You can microwave the peppers for 3-5 minutes, boil them for a few minutes, or cook them in the air fryer by themselves for 5 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Pre-cooking the peppers can help ensure they are tender and fully cooked when served.
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Air-frying the peppers
Some people suggest pre-cooking the peppers before stuffing them. This can be done by microwaving them for 3-5 minutes, boiling them for a few minutes, or cooking them in the air fryer for 5 minutes. Pre-cooking the peppers can help ensure they are tender and avoid a soggy bottom.
Once your peppers are prepared, you can fill them with your chosen mixture. Place the stuffed peppers in the basket of the air fryer, leaving space between each pepper. It is recommended to grease the air fryer tray with cooking spray to prevent the peppers from sticking.
Air-fry the peppers at 355°F for 10-15 minutes. Some recipes suggest a higher temperature of 360°F or 375°F. You can then add cheese to the peppers and cook for an additional 2-6 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
The cooking time may vary depending on the type of air fryer and the size of the peppers. It may take up to 30 minutes for the peppers to be cooked to your liking. You can check if the peppers are tender with an instant-read thermometer; the meat should be cooked to 160°F.
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Storing and reheating
To freeze your stuffed peppers, let them cool completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and aluminium foil to prevent freezer burn. Place them in a freezer bag or container. They will stay good for up to six months.
To reheat your stuffed peppers, you can use an air fryer, microwave, or oven. If you're using an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F to 360°F for about five minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with oil, then lay the peppers in a single layer, ensuring they don't touch each other. Reheat for about three to five minutes for chilled peppers, and about 15 minutes for frozen peppers.
If you're using a microwave, simply reheat the peppers for a few minutes until they're heated through. However, microwaving may cause your peppers to become soggy or watery.
To reheat your stuffed peppers in the oven, preheat your oven to 360°F or 180°C for five minutes. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and place the peppers on the tray with some space between them. Sprinkle a tablespoon of water over the peppers and cover them with foil or a glass lid. Bake for about 20 to 35 minutes, flipping the peppers halfway through for even reheating.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around 15 minutes to cook stuffed peppers in an air fryer oven. However, the time may vary depending on the air fryer model and the size of the peppers. Some recipes suggest cooking the peppers for 10 minutes, adding cheese, and then cooking for another 5-6 minutes.
The temperature varies depending on the air fryer model. Some recipes suggest cooking at 355°F, while others suggest 360°F or 375°F.
Rinse the peppers and pat them dry. Cut off the tops and remove the seeds and membranes. If desired, you can dice the tops and add them to the filling. Some people suggest microwaving or boiling the peppers for a few minutes before stuffing to ensure they are fully cooked.
The filling can vary depending on your preference. Common ingredients include ground beef, Italian sausage, onion, garlic, rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and cheese. You can also add in other vegetables or seasonings to suit your taste.
Yes, you can freeze the stuffed peppers for up to 6 months and reheat them in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes. They can also be reheated straight from frozen by adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
