Air-Fried Chile Rellenos: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Chile Rellenos is a classic Mexican dish that can be made in an air fryer with a few simple ingredients. This dish typically consists of poblano peppers stuffed with cheese and deep-fried, resulting in a crispy exterior and a creamy, mildly spicy centre. By using an air fryer, you can achieve a similar delicious taste and texture with less grease and effort.

Blistering and preparing the peppers

To begin, you will need to select your peppers. Poblano peppers are the traditional choice for Chile Rellenos, but you can also use Anaheim peppers (also known as Hatch peppers) or other varieties. Aim for large peppers, as they are easier to stuff. Once you have chosen your peppers, rinse and dry them.

The next step is to char the peppers. Place them directly on the burner grates over a medium-high flame, turning them carefully with tongs every few minutes until their skins are blistered and blackened all around. Alternatively, you can char the peppers in your air fryer by placing them in the basket and setting the temperature to 400°F for 8-10 minutes, turning them halfway through.

Once the peppers are evenly charred, transfer them to a bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel. This will allow the peppers to steam, making it easier to remove their skins. Let them steam for about 5-10 minutes.

After steaming, carefully remove the skins from the peppers. They should peel off easily, but if you encounter any resistance, use a knife to gently scrape off the remaining skin. Rinse the peeled peppers under cold running water to remove any residual skin.

Now it's time to prepare the peppers for stuffing. Make a lengthwise slit on each pepper, starting from the stem and stopping just before the tip. Be careful not to cut all the way through. Gently remove the seeds and membranes from inside the peppers, taking care not to tear the fragile flesh.

Your peppers are now ready to be stuffed with your chosen filling! A traditional Chile Relleno filling includes cheese, such as Monterey Jack, Oaxaca, Chihuahua, or a combination of these. However, you can get creative and experiment with different fillings, such as ground beef, chorizo, crab, or vegetables. Simply stuff each pepper generously with your chosen filling, being careful not to overstuff to avoid any spillage during cooking.

Once your peppers are stuffed, you can move on to the coating and air frying process. This involves dipping the stuffed peppers in a batter and then cooking them in the air fryer. First, preheat your air fryer to 375°F for about 5 minutes.

In conclusion, blistering and preparing the peppers is a crucial step in making Chile Rellenos. By following these steps, you will be able to create delicious, crispy, and gooey Chile Rellenos in your air fryer!

Making the filling

The filling is the star of the Chile Rellenos, and you can get creative with it. The traditional filling is a combination of cheeses, such as queso Oaxaca, Chihuahua, Monterey Jack, or cheddar. However, you can also experiment with other types of cheese based on your preference or availability. If you want a creamier texture, you can add whipped cream cheese to your mixture. For a more substantial filling, you can add cooked ground beef, chorizo sausage, ground turkey, or even crab meat. Some recipes also suggest adding corn, scallions, cilantro, parsley, and spices like salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to the cheese mixture.

Once you've decided on your filling, it's time to stuff the peppers. Start by making a lengthwise slit on each pepper, being careful not to cut all the way through. Remove the seeds and membranes, and then generously stuff each pepper with your chosen filling. Be careful not to overstuff, as the cheese may spill out during cooking. You can sprinkle some oregano and salt over the filling if desired.

Coating the peppers

Now that your peppers are stuffed with delicious fillings, it's time to coat them before air frying.

Preparing the batter

In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix well. In a separate bowl, crack and beat the eggs.

Dipping and coating the peppers

Dip each stuffed pepper into the beaten eggs, ensuring they are thoroughly coated. Allow any excess egg mixture to drip off before moving the pepper to the bowl of flour mixture. Roll the pepper in the flour mixture until it’s evenly coated on all sides. Gently tap off any excess flour.

For an extra crispy exterior, sprinkle some cornstarch on each pepper before dipping them in the egg mixture.

Air frying the peppers

Preheat your air fryer to 365-375°F. Lightly spray the air fryer basket or the coated peppers with cooking spray or olive oil spray to help with browning and prevent sticking. Place the coated peppers in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching or overcrowded. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping the peppers halfway through to ensure even browning and cooking. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer, so keep a close eye on the peppers to avoid overcooking. Once the peppers are golden brown and the cheese is melted inside, carefully remove them from the air fryer.

Air frying the peppers

Now that you've gathered your ingredients and stuffed your peppers, it's time to air fry!

Preheat your air fryer to between 365°F and 400°F. You'll want to lightly spray the air fryer basket or the coated peppers with cooking spray or olive oil spray to help with browning and prevent sticking. Place the coated peppers in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching or overcrowded.

Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping the peppers halfway through to ensure even browning and cooking. The cooking time may vary depending on the specific make and model of your air fryer, so keep a close eye on the peppers to avoid overcooking. Once the peppers are golden brown and the cheese is melted inside, carefully remove them from the air fryer.

Serving

Let the peppers cool for a few minutes before serving to avoid burning your mouth. You can serve your Chile Rellenos with traditional sides such as Mexican rice, refried beans, and guacamole for a complete meal. Add your preferred toppings, like salsa, sour cream, or chopped cilantro, to enhance the flavors. Enjoy the creamy, melted cheese as it combines with the smoky flavor of the roasted peppers in each succulent bite. Remember to share this delightful twist on a classic dish with family and friends, and don't hesitate to experiment with different fillings and spices to make it your own.

Serving suggestions

Chile Rellenos can be served as an appetizer, a side dish, or as part of a complete meal. They are best served hot, straight out of the air fryer, but they can be reheated in the air fryer if needed.

For a traditional Mexican meal, serve Chile Rellenos with Mexican rice, refried beans, and a side of tortillas. You can also add toppings such as salsa, sour cream, red chile sauce, guacamole, or chopped cilantro.

If you want to make a complete meal out of it, serve Chile Rellenos with a nice Tomato Coconut soup or Air Fryer Carne Asada for a meaty option.

For a more elaborate spread, pair Chile Rellenos with Instant Pot Refried beans and Instant Pot Arroz con Pollo, or Spanish rice and homemade refried beans. You can also add black beans, elotes, or carnitas for some extra protein.

If you're serving Chile Rellenos as an appetizer or side, they can be accompanied by Avocado slices, and a nice glass of wine.

Frequently asked questions