Air-Fried Stuffed Peppers: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryer stuffed peppers are a quick, easy, and tasty meal. They are colourful peppers stuffed with a classic bolognese-style sauce, topped with cheese, and air-fried to perfection. This meal is healthy, gluten-free, and can be made dairy-free by omitting the cheese. It is also a great way to get kids to eat vegetables. The peppers are filled with a mixture of ground beef, Italian sausage, rice, and cheese. The filling is cooked on a stovetop and then stuffed into the peppers, which are air-fried for 12-15 minutes.

Choosing and preparing peppers

Choosing the right peppers for your stuffed pepper dish is essential. You'll want to look for peppers that are roughly the same size so that they cook evenly. Aim for peppers with flat bottoms so they can stand upright in your air fryer. If you're unable to find peppers with flat bottoms, don't worry! You can always trim the bottom to create a flat surface. Just be sure not to puncture the pepper.

When it comes to colour, any colour pepper will work. Green peppers have a mildly bitter flavour that sweetens as they cook, while yellow, orange, and red peppers are sweeter, with red being the sweetest. If you want to add a bit of colour to your dish, using a variety of pepper colours can make for a more vibrant presentation.

Once you've chosen your peppers, it's time to prepare them for stuffing. First, rinse the peppers and pat them dry. Then, cut off the tops and remove the seeds and membranes from the inside. If you're looking to add some extra pepper flavour to your filling, you can dice up the tops and mix them in.

If you're having trouble getting your peppers to stand upright, there are a few things you can try. One option is to use small balls of foil to help prop them up. You can also try trimming the bottoms of the peppers so they sit flatter, but be careful not to puncture the peppers. Another option is to cut the peppers in half and fill them that way. This method works well if you have peppers with uneven bottoms.

Making the filling

To make the filling for your air fryer stuffed peppers, you'll need to cook your chosen ingredients in a skillet or saucepan. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Ingredients

You can customise your filling to suit your taste, but common ingredients include:

• Olive oil
• Onion
• Garlic
• Ground beef, chicken, turkey, pork, or Italian sausage
• Canned diced tomatoes or tomato sauce
• Cooked rice or other grains (e.g. quinoa, couscous, cauliflower rice)
• Spices and seasonings (e.g. Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, parsley)
• Cheese (optional)

Method

• Heat olive oil in a skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Add onion and cook until soft and translucent.
• Add garlic and cook for another minute or two.
• Add your choice of ground meat and cook until browned, using a spatula or spoon to break it up.
• Add diced tomatoes or tomato sauce, rice or other grains, and spices/seasonings. Stir well and let the mixture simmer.
• If you're adding cheese to your filling, add it now and stir until melted.

Your filling is now ready to be spooned into your peppers!

Filling the peppers

The filling is what makes your stuffed peppers a hearty meal. You can be creative with your filling, but here's a simple and delicious mixture you can try:

Ingredients

• Lean ground beef
• Italian sausage
• Onion, diced
• Garlic, minced
• Cooked rice
• Canned diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Worcestershire sauce
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the beef and Italian sausage together, crumbling the meat as it cooks.
• Add the onions and garlic to the skillet and sauté until softened.
• Stir in the rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and salt. Mix well until combined.
• Carefully spoon the filling into each pepper, filling them generously.

Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and spices to make the filling your own!

Air frying

To air fry stuffed peppers, first prepare the filling. This can be done ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a quick weeknight dinner. For the filling, cook your meat of choice (beef, chicken, turkey, pork, or Italian sausage) with onion, garlic, and any other vegetables you like. Then add in your rice or grain of choice (white rice, brown rice, quinoa, couscous, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option), tinned tomatoes, tomato sauce, and any herbs and spices.

Next, prepare your peppers. Look for peppers that are roughly the same size and have a flat bottom so they stand up straight. Cut off the tops of the peppers and remove any seeds and veins inside. You can also slice a little off the bottom to help them stand up straight if needed. If your peppers are wobbly, you can trim the bottom so they sit flatter, but don't lean them against each other as you want the air to circulate.

You can then choose to air fry the peppers for a few minutes before filling them to help remove some moisture and prevent sogginess. Place them upright in the air fryer and cook at 400°F for around 5-6 minutes.

Once your peppers and filling are ready, stuff the peppers with the mixture and place them back in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 360-400°F for 10-15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender. Then, top with cheese and return to the air fryer for a further 2-4 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.

You can serve air fryer stuffed peppers on their own or with a side salad, roasted vegetables, or garlic bread. They are a great make-ahead option as they store and reheat well. Simply wrap or place in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months. To reheat, place back in the air fryer at 400°F for around 10 minutes, or until heated through.

Serving suggestions

Air fryer stuffed peppers are a complete meal in themselves, but they also go well with side dishes. Here are some serving suggestions:

• A simple green salad.
• Steamed or roasted vegetables.
• Garlic bread.
• Cookies or chocolate chip pudding cookies for dessert.
• Kale salad.
• Roasted brussels sprouts.
• Sweet potato fries.
• Air fryer smashed potatoes.
• Simple kale and goat cheese salad.
• Crispy potatoes.
• Roasted vegetables.

Frequently asked questions