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

Air fryer stuffed peppers are a quick and easy meal that can be made in half the time it takes to cook them in an oven. The peppers are filled with a savoury mixture of ground beef, sausage, rice, and cheese, and then cooked in the air fryer until tender. This recipe is a great way to use up leftover rice and can be customised with different types of meat, vegetables, and spices.

Choosing and preparing the peppers

Choosing the right bell peppers for your stuffed peppers is important. You'll want to look for peppers that are roughly the same size and have a good, even bottom so they can stand up straight in the air fryer. You can use any colour of bell pepper you like, but keep in mind that green bell peppers are mildly bitter, yellow and orange peppers are sweeter, and red peppers are the sweetest. If you want to save some money, you can opt for green bell peppers as they tend to be cheaper than the other colours.

Once you've chosen your peppers, it's time to prepare them for stuffing. First, cut off the tops of the peppers and remove the seeds and membranes from the inside. If you want to add some extra flavour to the filling, you can dice up the tops of the peppers and mix them in. If your peppers are wobbly and can't stand up straight, you can trim the bottom to create a flatter surface. Just be careful not to puncture the pepper.

Now your peppers are ready to be stuffed!

Making the filling

To make the filling for your stuffed peppers, you'll need to sauté some onion and garlic in a skillet with olive oil until they're soft and fragrant. Then, add your choice of ground beef, chicken, turkey, pork, or Italian sausage to the skillet and cook until it's browned. You can also add black beans, mushrooms, carrots, green onions, zucchini, sweet potatoes, or squash to the filling.

Next, stir in your cooked rice, spices, and tomatoes, and let the mixture simmer. For spices, you can use dried herbs like chili powder, paprika, thyme, and parsley, or go with Italian seasoning. For the tomatoes, you can use canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, or fresh tomatoes.

If you want to add cheese to your filling, shredded mozzarella, Colby Jack, or cheddar cheese work well. You can also add cheese just on top of the filling.

Filling the peppers

Firstly, you'll want to ensure your peppers are prepared correctly. Cut off the tops of the peppers and scoop out the seeds and any membranes. You can chop the tops from around the stem and dice them to add to the filling if you like—this is a great way to reduce waste. It's also a good idea to slice a thin sliver off the bottom of each pepper to create a sturdy base so they can stand up. If your peppers are still wobbly, you can trim the bottoms further to help them sit flatter.

Next, you'll want to make your filling. For a simple filling, you can sauté onions and garlic in a skillet with olive oil until soft and fragrant. Then, add your choice of ground meat—this could be beef, chicken, turkey, pork, or Italian sausage—and cook until browned. You can also add rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice, along with spices and herbs like Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, or parsley. Stir in some diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, and let the mixture simmer.

Now it's time to stuff your peppers. Spoon the filling into each pepper, filling them to the top. Place the stuffed peppers upright in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each pepper to allow for even cooking.

Finally, it's time to air fry! Cook the peppers at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they're tender. If you want to add cheese, sprinkle it on top of the peppers and return them to the air fryer for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to melt the cheese.

And that's it! You've now got delicious, flavour-packed stuffed bell peppers ready to be enjoyed.

Air frying the peppers

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 360-380°F (190°C) for 5 minutes. While the air fryer is heating up, prepare the peppers by rinsing them and patting them dry. Cut off the tops of the peppers and ensure they will fit in the air fryer basket standing upright. Remove the seeds and membranes from the peppers and discard them. If desired, you can chop the tops from around the stem and add them to the filling. You can also slice a sliver off the bottom of each pepper to create a sturdy base so they stand up straight.

Next, arrange the peppers in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each pepper to allow for even cooking. If you are struggling to keep them upright, you can use small balls of foil to support them.

Now, carefully spoon the prepared filling into each pepper. The filling should be level with the top of the pepper.

Once the peppers are stuffed, place them in the air fryer and cook for 12-15 minutes at 360°F (190°C). For a more tender pepper, you can cook at a lower temperature of 330°F for about 5 minutes before filling them with the meat mixture.

Finally, sprinkle the tops of the peppers with shredded cheese and return them to the air fryer for an additional 1-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and browned to your liking.

And that's it! Your air-fried stuffed peppers are now ready to be served and enjoyed.

Serving suggestions

Stuffed bell peppers are a versatile dish that can be served as a standalone meal or with a variety of sides. Here are some serving suggestions:

As a Main Course

Stuffed bell peppers can be a filling and satisfying main course, especially when paired with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables. The peppers themselves are packed with protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables, making them a well-rounded and nutritious option.

Side Dishes

If you're looking to round out your meal, here are some side dish suggestions that will complement your stuffed bell peppers:

• Garlic bread: A slice of homemade garlic bread, made with both fresh and powdered garlic, can be the perfect accompaniment to your peppers.
• Green salad: A light and fresh salad, such as a classic Caesar salad or a spinach salad with apples, walnuts, and feta, can provide a nice contrast to the heartiness of the stuffed peppers.
• Roasted vegetables: Try roasted asparagus or garlicky sautéed Swiss chard for a healthy and tasty side.
• Breadsticks: Cheesy garlic breadsticks or pizza dough garlic knots can add some extra flavour and texture to your meal.
• Fried zucchini: Breaded and fried zucchini sticks with a crunchy outside and tender inside are a fun and tasty side option. Serve them with marinara sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.
• Tomato and cucumber salad: A simple salad of juicy summer tomatoes, cucumbers, and basil, or a spicier version with jalapeño, can be a refreshing accompaniment to the rich stuffed peppers.

Dessert

For a sweet finish to your meal, consider serving cookie bars or another dessert of your choice.

Frequently asked questions