Air-Fryer Bell Peppers: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Air fryer bell peppers are a quick and easy dish to make, requiring minimal preparation and few ingredients. They can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, sandwiches, and stir-fries, or served as a side dish. The peppers are sliced and seasoned with oil, salt, and pepper before being cooked in the air fryer for around 10-15 minutes, depending on the desired level of doneness. This cooking method gives the peppers a tender texture and a slightly charred exterior, adding a smoky flavour.

Choosing the right bell peppers

Colour

Bell peppers come in various colours, including red, yellow, orange, and green. The colour you choose will depend on your preference for taste and presentation. Red bell peppers are the sweetest and most flavourful, making them a popular choice. Orange and yellow peppers are also sweet but with a subtle tang. Green bell peppers have a more robust and grassy flavour. You can use just one colour or a combination of colours for a vibrant and tasty dish.

Ripeness

The ripeness of bell peppers affects their flavour. Green bell peppers are less ripe and have a slightly bitter taste, while red, yellow, and orange peppers are fully ripe and tend to be sweeter. If you prefer a sweeter flavour, go for the riper options.

Size and Shape

When selecting bell peppers, look for ones that are roughly the same size to ensure even cooking. If you're making stuffed peppers, choose peppers with good, even bottoms so they can stand upright. If you struggle to find peppers that stand up straight, you can trim the bottoms slightly to help them sit flatter. Avoid leaning them against each other during cooking, as this will prevent air from circulating properly.

Freshness

Choose bell peppers that have smooth, firm skin and feel heavy for their size. Avoid peppers with soft spots, wrinkles, or discolouration. Fresh peppers will have bright, vibrant colours, while dull colours may indicate that they are past their prime.

Texture

Look for bell peppers with taut, shiny skin. Wrinkled or shrivelled skin can indicate that the pepper is drying out. Avoid peppers with cuts or bruises, as they will not only affect the appearance but also provide entry points for bacteria.

By following these tips, you'll be able to choose the right bell peppers for your air fryer dish, ensuring a delicious and successful cooking experience.

Preparing the peppers

Next, place the peppers or pepper strips in a large bowl and toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, or cayenne pepper to taste. Make sure the peppers are coated evenly with the oil and seasonings.

Now your peppers are ready to be placed in the air fryer! For stuffed peppers, simply spoon the filling of your choice into the peppers before placing them in the air fryer.

Cooking the peppers

To cook bell peppers in an air fryer, you'll first need to preheat your air fryer to 400°F. While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the bell peppers.

For stuffed bell peppers, cut the tops off the peppers and remove the seeds and veins inside. For sliced bell peppers, cut the tops off and remove the seeds and ribs, then slice the peppers in half from top to bottom, and slice the halves into strips about 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick.

Next, toss the peppers in a large bowl with olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, or cayenne pepper to taste. Toss or stir the peppers until they are coated in oil and seasonings.

Once the air fryer has preheated, arrange the peppers in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with minimal overlap. If cooking stuffed peppers, place them upright in the basket. If necessary, you can use small balls of foil to help them stand up straight.

Cook the peppers for 8-15 minutes, tossing or shaking the basket every 5 minutes, until they are tender and slightly charred. The cooking time will depend on the desired level of doneness and the thickness of the pepper slices. For stuffed peppers, cook for 10-15 minutes, then sprinkle cheese on top and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Flavour combinations

There are endless ways to flavour your bell peppers in the air fryer. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Spices and herbs: After drizzling with oil, sprinkle on some garlic powder, onion powder, or oregano.
• Cheese: Top your peppers with cheddar, Colby Jack, Monterey jack, pepper jack, Swiss, or mozzarella.
• Sauces: Try using your own marinara sauce or pizza sauce to mix with the filling, or even some BBQ sauce for a western twist.
• Meat: Experiment with different types of meat such as ground chicken, turkey, sausage, or lean ground beef.
• Vegetables: Add in some extra veggies like black beans, kidney beans, zucchini, celery, mushrooms, or sweet potatoes.
• Dips: Serve your air fryer bell peppers with dips such as Keto Bacon Cheddar Dip for a tasty snack.

Serving suggestions

Air fryer bell peppers are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your meal:

• Salads and Grain Bowls: Add a burst of colour and flavour to your salads or grain bowls by topping them with air fryer bell peppers. The peppers pair well with roasted chicken, whipped feta or ricotta cheese, and other veggies or proteins.
• Fajitas: Create delicious air fryer fajitas by combining the bell peppers with onions and your choice of protein. This makes for a quick and tasty Mexican-themed dinner.
• Sandwiches and Wraps: These peppers are an excellent addition to sandwiches or wraps, providing a tasty and healthy crunch. Try them in a cheesesteak sandwich or sausage sub.
• Burrito Bowls: Air fryer bell peppers make a great side dish to burrito bowls, adding a charred and tender texture to complement the other ingredients.
• Pasta Dishes: Enhance your pasta creations, such as Shrimp Fra Diavolo, by tossing in some air fryer bell peppers for that extra bit of flavour and colour.
• Side Dish: Serve the bell peppers as a simple yet tasty side dish to grilled meats like chicken or turkey sausage. They can also accompany Italian sausage for a classic sausage and peppers meal.
• Stir-Fries: Speed up your stir-fry preparation by cooking bell peppers in the air fryer beforehand and then tossing them into your stir-fry with other ingredients.
• Snacks and Dips: Use air fryer bell peppers as a healthy, low-carb alternative to tortilla chips when enjoying your favourite dips. They are rich in vitamins, low in calories, and high in fibre.

Frequently asked questions