If you’re searching for a dinner that’s hearty, colorful, and utterly satisfying, look no further than these Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers! Juicy bell peppers are packed with a flavorful beef, rice, and tomato filling, then finished with gooey melted cheese for the perfect family meal— all cooked quickly and effortlessly in the air fryer.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Weeknight-Friendly: These Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers come together in about 30 minutes, perfect for busy evenings without sacrificing flavor.
- Vibrant & Satisfying: The combination of tender peppers, meaty filling, and melty cheese makes every bite comforting and nutritious.
- Customizable for Everyone: The recipe offers endless variations—swap the meat, use brown rice, or skip the cheese for a dairy-free option!
- Fuss-Free Cleanup: Cooking in the air fryer means less mess, less heating up your kitchen, and all the savory, roasted flavor you crave.
Ingredients You’ll Need
There’s nothing fussy here—just a handful of classic, wholesome ingredients that create bold flavors and beautiful color! Each element works together to fill these peppers with juicy, savory goodness in every forkful.
- Olive oil: Helps soften the onions and peppers and infuses richness right from the start.
- Yellow onion: Adds aromatic sweetness and depth to the filling.
- Garlic: Delivers punchy, irresistible flavor for that classic stuffed pepper aroma.
- Bell peppers: Choose any color (or a rainbow!)—each one brings vibrancy, nutrients, and natural sweetness.
- Ground beef: The hearty base of your filling, giving savory satisfaction to every bite. Lean or regular is fine!
- Italian seasoning: Blends dried herbs for a flavor boost that ties everything together.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning every layer and enhancing all the other flavors.
- Diced tomatoes: Un-drained, so they add moisture and tangy brightness to the filling.
- Coconut aminos or Worcestershire sauce: Adds a pop of umami and a subtle savory-sweet note.
- Uncooked white or brown rice: Soaks up all the delicious juices and provides that classic comforting texture.
- Water: Needed to cook the rice perfectly within the filling.
- Shredded cheddar cheese or vegan cheese (optional): Melts to bubbly perfection on top—totally irresistible, or leave it out for dairy-free.
Variations
The beauty of Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers is how easily you can play with fillings, seasonings, or even the rice—making them your own! Don’t be afraid to get creative to fit your pantry, preferences, or special diets.
- Low Carb: Swap the rice for cauliflower rice to make your peppers keto-friendly and lighter, but still just as tasty.
- Dairy-Free: Simply omit the cheese or use a dairy-free shredded cheese alternative—still gooey, no lactose needed!
- Gluten-Free: The classic recipe is naturally gluten-free, but always double-check labels, especially for Worcestershire sauce.
- Fiber Boost: Use brown rice and stir in drained black beans after the rice cooks—this adds a hearty, nutritious twist.
How to Make Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
Step 1: Prep the Peppers & Air Fryer
Begin by preheating your air fryer to 400°F. While it heats, cut the tops off each bell pepper and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and membranes inside. Don’t toss those pepper tops—dice them up for extra flavor in your filling! Let the peppers have a quick “blind bake” in the air fryer basket for 6 minutes. This softens the shells and means you’ll never bite into a crunchy pepper by accident.
Step 2: Make the Filling
While your peppers are getting a head start, heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium-high. Add the diced onion and those reserved pepper tops. Sauté until everything is soft and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes, then stir in the minced garlic for another minute. Next, add the ground beef and cook, breaking up pieces, until it’s fully browned—no pink left!
Step 3: Add Seasonings, Tomatoes & Rice
Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and salt, pour in the can of diced tomatoes (juices included!), and add your coconut aminos or Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine, then add the uncooked rice and water. Lower the heat, cover with a lid, and let everything simmer as the rice absorbs all that savory, herby goodness—usually about 15 minutes, or per your rice package instructions.
Step 4: Stuff & Air Fry
When the rice mixture is ready (and your kitchen smells amazing), use a spoon to generously fill each par-baked pepper with the beef and rice mixture. Place stuffed peppers back into the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F for 4 minutes, then carefully open the drawer and sprinkle each pepper generously with shredded cheese. Air fry for a final 4 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and golden. (If skipping cheese, just air fry for 8 minutes total after stuffing.)
Pro Tips for Making Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
- Choose Firm, Wide-Bottomed Peppers: Seek out bell peppers that can stand upright in your air fryer—this keeps all that glorious filling inside where it belongs!
- Blind Bake for Tenderness: Giving peppers a short air fryer blast before stuffing means they’re perfectly cooked—not too crunchy, not too mushy.
- Simmer the Rice in the Filling: No need to pre-cook your rice—letting it cook right in the skillet absorbs extra flavor and means fewer dishes.
- Cheese Timing is Everything: Add the cheese during the last 4 minutes in the air fryer for that golden, gooey finish without burning.
How to Serve Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
Garnishes
Finish your Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or basil for a burst of color and freshness. If you love a little extra zing, add a dollop of sour cream or a quick swirl of hot sauce before serving—each finishing touch makes them even more inviting!
Side Dishes
These peppers are an all-in-one meal, but you can round out the experience with a crisp side salad, garlic bread, or steamed green beans. For a heartier spread, serve with roasted potatoes or a medley of seasonal veggies for the ultimate weeknight feast.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or family gatherings, arrange Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers in a rainbow of colors on a platter, topped with extra cheese and fresh herbs. Or try slicing the peppers in half lengthwise for a “pepper boat” effect—easy to serve, fun to eat, and gorgeous on the table!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to 3–4 days—perfect for quick lunches or next-day dinners.
Freezing
Stuffed peppers are freezer-friendly! Arrange cooled peppers in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag and freeze for up to four months. This is a fantastic make-ahead meal option when you want something homemade and hearty, fast.
Reheating
To reheat, pop leftover peppers in your air fryer at 400°F for about 10 minutes, or until hot all the way through. You can also microwave for a couple of minutes (cover with a damp paper towel), but the air fryer keeps that roasted flavor and slightly crispy edge.
FAQs
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Can I use ground turkey, chicken, or a meat substitute instead of beef?
Absolutely! Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers are incredibly adaptable—substitute ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based ground meat. Just make sure to brown it fully before combining with the rest of the filling.
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Can I prep these ahead of time for a busy weeknight?
Yes! You can make the filling a day or two in advance and keep it refrigerated, then stuff and air fry the peppers when you’re ready to eat. Or assemble the stuffed peppers and store them unbaked in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking.
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How do I keep the peppers from tipping over in the air fryer?
Try to choose peppers with flat, sturdy bottoms. If needed, carefully trim a little off the base to help them stand upright, or nestle them close together in the basket so they support each other.
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Can I make Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers low-carb or grain-free?
Definitely! Replace the rice with cauliflower rice for a grain-free, low-carb option—just add it to the meat mixture and cook until warmed through instead of simmering with water.
Final Thoughts
If you need a crowd-pleasing, comforting, and colorful meal on the table in a flash, these Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers are always a hit. I hope you’ll give them a try—let their savory aromas fill your kitchen and your dinner plates!
Print
Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 peppers 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers are filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, and seasonings, then topped with melted cheese. A delicious and easy dinner option!
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 bell peppers (any color)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes (not drained)
- 1 tablespoon coconut aminos or Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup uncooked white or brown rice
- 1 cup water
Optional:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or vegan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3-5 minutes.
- Prepare Peppers: Cut the tops off the peppers, remove seeds. Dice pepper tops for later use. Place peppers in air fryer basket, cook for 6 minutes.
- Make Filling: In a skillet, cook onion, diced peppers, garlic. Add ground beef, seasonings, diced tomatoes, coconut aminos, rice, and water. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Fill Peppers: Stuff each pepper with beef and rice mixture. Return peppers to air fryer, cook at 400°F for 4 minutes. Top with cheese if desired, cook for an additional 4 minutes.
Notes
- Low carb: Swap rice with cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
- Dairy-free: Omit cheese for a dairy-free version.
- Gluten-free: Recipe is naturally gluten-free.
- More fiber: Use brown rice and add black beans.
- Storage: Store cooled peppers in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Freeze: Freeze stuffed peppers for up to 4 months.
- Reheat: Reheat in air fryer at 400°F for 10 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper
- Calories: 327 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 557mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 57mg
