One of the easy recipes I love to recreate every time in my air fryer is the traditional stuffed peppers! This method has helped me in recreating a delicious dinner that’s perfect for a busy weeknight. This easy recipe uses simple ingredients to create a classic dish with so much flavor that it will surely become one of your favorite recipes.
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PRO TIPS for the Best Quick and Easy Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
Avoid Soggy Peppers: Choose fresh bell peppers with firm, smooth exteriors to ensure they hold up during cooking.
Pre-Cooking the Filling: Sautéing the ground meat with spices on medium-high heat before stuffing ensures that each pepper is packed with flavor and cooks evenly in the air fryer.
Optimal Air Frying: Arrange the peppers in the air fryer basket without overcrowding to achieve golden exteriors and perfectly cooked peppers.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
- Bell Peppers: Green bell peppers or red, and whole bell peppers are the stars of this recipe, providing a sweet and vibrant container for the filling.
- Ground Meat: Use a mix of lean ground beef, Italian sausage, and ground chicken for a rich and hearty filling.
- Rice: Leftover rice or brown rice adds substance and absorbs the flavors of the tomato sauce and spices.
- Cheese: A mix of cheddar, mozzarella, and pepper jack cheese gives a melty, cheesy top layer that adds richness.
- Spices: Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and taco seasoning bring vibrant flavors that penetrate the meat and rice filling.
How to cook Stuffed Peppers
Preparation:
- Halve the red peppers lengthwise, remove seeds, and spray with cooking spray.
- In a medium saucepan, cook rice until it’s almost done. Drain and set aside.
Cook the Filling:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground meat and cook until browned.
- Stir in taco seasoning, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper.
- Mix in cooked rice, black beans, and ½ cup tomato sauce until combined.
Stuff the Peppers:
- Spoon the meat mixture into each pepper half. Top with mixed cheeses.
- Place the stuffed pepper halves covered with the tops of the peppers in the air fryer basket.
Cook:
- Set the air fryer to 360°F and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is bubbly.
Serve:
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving to add a touch of freshness.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Meat: Substitute ground turkey or a different brand of plant-based meat for a lighter option.
- Rice: Quinoa or couscous can be used as a gluten-free alternative.
- Cheese: Vegan cheese is a great dairy-free substitute that melts beautifully for those with dietary restrictions.
- Worcestershire sauce and fresh garlic can be added for extra taste.
How to Store
Store leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can be reheated in the air fryer or microwave the next day for a quick meal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these air fryer stuffed peppers with a side of beef broth for added flavor, or enjoy them on their own as a tasty meal that the whole family will love as an easy dinner. The combination of melty cheese and robust, meaty filling makes these peppers a fulfilling comfort food.
Other cooking methods
Stuffed peppers are versatile and can be cooked using a variety of methods beyond the air fryer. Here are some alternative ways to prepare this classic dish:
1. Oven Baking
Baking is the most traditional method for cooking stuffed peppers.
2. Slow Cooker
Using a slow cooker is a great way to make stuffed peppers without having to monitor them constantly, the only draw back is the length of the cooking time.
3. Instant Pot
For a faster method that still yields tender peppers, use an Instant Pot. Place the stuffed peppers on the trivet with a cup of water in the bottom of the pot. Cook under high pressure for about 8-10 minutes with a quick release. This method is ideal for those who need a quick meal and prefer the peppers to be very soft.
4. Skillet and grilling are other common methods.
If you’re short on time and equipment, you can also cook stuffed peppers in a skillet. Cut the peppers into halves or slices, stuff them, and place them in a skillet with a lid over medium heat. Add a little water or broth to the pan, cover, and let them steam for about 15-20 minutes until the filling is heated through and the peppers are softened.
Easy Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Skillet
- Knife
- Chooping board
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup round grain rice such as Arborio or Jasmine
- 6 bell peppers
- 5 mushrooms
- 1 onion
- 1 carrot
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash the bell peppers, cut off the tops, and remove the seeds.
- Wash and peel the carrot and onion.
- Cut the onion into small cubes and grate the carrot.
- Finely chop the garlic.
- Cut the chicken breasts into small pieces.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a little olive oil.
- Add the chopped vegetables and chicken pieces to the skillet and cook until the chicken is no longer pink.
- Add the paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper to the skillet and mix well.
- In a separate pot, boil the rice for 7-10 minutes until it’s slightly undercooked. Rinse the rice and set it aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice with the chicken and vegetable mixture. Mix everything thoroughly and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Stuff each bell pepper with the chicken and rice mixture and replace the tops.
- Place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish. You can add a little water or tomato juice to the bottom of the dish.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking until the tops of the peppers are lightly browned.
- Enjoy your delicious stuffed peppers with chicken and rice!
FAQs
- Can I use different peppers? Yes, any large pepper suitable for stuffing, like poblano or even pepper soup varieties, can be used.
- What if I don’t have an air fryer? You can bake the stuffed peppers in a conventional oven at 375°F for about 25-30 minutes.
Have a look at the collection of air-fryer recipes on the blog.
Air-fried whole Chicken
Air fryer Doughnut recipe
Air fryer Salmon steak and bites
About the Author
I am Seun, and I love to share my first-hand experience using multiple air fryers. Stick around for yummy delicacies made from the air fryer and many amazing tips on using your newfound Kitchen appliance – the air fryer!
