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Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
These Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers are a hearty, comforting meal made with tender bell peppers and a savory ground meat filling. The filling combines seasoned beef, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, and optional rice, then everything is finished with a simple tomato sauce and melted cheese.
Using the air fryer makes this classic dinner simple and convenient. The peppers become tender while the filling cooks up juicy and flavorful, and a layer of melted cheese on top adds a delicious golden finish.
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Total Time: 40–45 minutes
Servings: 4
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy one-basket meal: The air fryer handles the peppers and filling with minimal cleanup.
- Tender and flavorful: The peppers soften while the seasoned meat filling stays hearty and satisfying.
- Simple ingredients: You only need everyday ingredients such as ground meat, bell peppers, onion, garlic, and tomato sauce.
- Great for busy nights: This is an easy dinner that works well for weeknights and family meals.
- Easy to customize: Change the meat, rice, seasonings, or cheese to suit your taste.
Ingredients
- 4 bell peppers, red, yellow, orange, or green
- 1 lb (500 g) ground beef, or a mixture of beef and pork
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup (90 g) cooked rice, optional
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup (30 g) breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (120 ml) tomato sauce
- ½ cup (120 ml) beef broth
- Cooking spray
For the Cheesy Topping
- ½ cup (50 g) shredded mozzarella or Manchego cheese
Ingredient Notes
Bell peppers: Red, yellow, and orange peppers have a naturally sweeter flavor, while green peppers have a more savory taste. Choose peppers that are firm, fresh, and large enough to hold plenty of filling.
Ground beef: Ground beef gives the filling a rich, savory flavor. A beef-and-pork mixture can make the filling even richer. Ground turkey or chicken can also be used for a lighter variation.
Cooked rice: Rice adds texture and helps stretch the filling. It is optional, so you can leave it out if you prefer a meatier filling. Cooked quinoa is another good alternative.
Onion and garlic: These aromatics add flavor and moisture to the meat mixture. Fresh garlic gives the best flavor, but ½ teaspoon garlic powder can work in a pinch.
Breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs help hold the filling together without making it too heavy. Panko breadcrumbs can be used for a slightly different texture.
Egg: The egg helps bind the filling so it stays together as the peppers cook.
Paprika and oregano: These simple seasonings give the filling a warm, savory flavor. Italian seasoning can replace the oregano if desired.
Tomato sauce: Tomato sauce adds moisture and a mild tomato flavor. You can use marinara sauce instead if you have it on hand.
Beef broth: The broth combines with the tomato sauce to create a flavorful cooking liquid. Chicken or vegetable broth can be substituted.
Cheese: Mozzarella melts beautifully and creates a stretchy topping. Manchego adds a stronger, slightly nutty flavor. Cheddar is another easy option.
How to Make Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
1. Cut the Potatoes
Wash and scrub the potatoes well. You can peel them if you prefer, but leaving the skins on gives the fries extra texture and a rustic look.
Cut each potato into even strips about ¼ inch (6 mm) thick. Try to keep the pieces close in size so they cook at the same rate.
2. Rinse the Fries
Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl and cover them with cold water. Swish them around, then drain.
Repeat the rinsing process until the water is fairly clear. This helps remove excess surface starch, which can prevent the fries from becoming as crisp.
3. Soak for Extra Crispiness
For especially crispy fries, soak the potato strips in fresh cold water for 20–30 minutes.
This step is optional, but it can help improve the texture. After soaking, drain the potatoes very well.
4. Dry the Potatoes Thoroughly
Spread the potatoes over a clean kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels.
Pat them completely dry. Don’t rush this step. Excess water can create steam inside the air fryer, making the fries softer instead of crisp.
5. Season the Potatoes
Place the dry potato strips in a large bowl.
Add the olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Toss gently until the potatoes are evenly coated.
The potatoes should have a light coating of oil rather than looking wet or greasy.
6. Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 3–5 minutes.
Preheating helps the potatoes start cooking immediately and can give them a better golden exterior.
7. Air Fry Until Crispy
Place the fries in the air fryer basket in as close to a single layer as possible.
Avoid overcrowding. If you have more potatoes than your basket can comfortably hold, cook them in batches.
Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 16–20 minutes. Shake the basket well after about 10 minutes to help the fries cook evenly.
Continue cooking until the fries are golden brown and crisp. If they need more color, add another 2–4 minutes.
Cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the fries and your particular air fryer.
8. Season and Serve
Transfer the hot fries to a serving bowl or plate.
Taste and add a little more salt if needed. Sprinkle with fresh parsley for a simple finishing touch.
Serve immediately while the fries are hot and crispy.
Serving Suggestions
These stuffed peppers are filling enough to serve as a complete dinner, especially when the filling includes rice. For an easy meal, serve them with a simple green salad dressed with lemon and olive oil.
You can also pair them with roasted vegetables, steamed broccoli, green beans, or a small serving of garlic bread. The tomato sauce from the bottom of the dish is delicious spooned over the peppers.
For a lighter meal, skip the rice and serve the peppers with a crisp cucumber and tomato salad. A spoonful of plain Greek yogurt or a simple herb sauce can also add a cool, creamy contrast.
Recipe Tips
- Choose similar-sized peppers: Peppers that are close in size will cook more evenly.
- Keep the peppers upright: A small heat-safe dish can help prevent them from tipping over.
- Don’t overpack the filling: Gently spoon it in rather than pressing it down tightly.
- Use cooked rice: If adding rice, make sure it is already cooked before mixing it into the raw meat.
- Don’t skip the temperature check: The center of a stuffed pepper can take longer to cook than the outside.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer: Good airflow helps the peppers cook evenly.
- Add cheese near the end: Adding it too early can cause the cheese to brown before the filling is fully cooked.
- Watch the peppers closely: Smaller peppers may finish sooner than large ones.
- Adjust cooking time: Air fryer temperatures and airflow vary between models, so use the internal temperature as your main guide.
Variations and Substitutions
Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Replace the ground beef with ground turkey. Add a little extra seasoning if desired, since turkey has a milder flavor.
Chicken Stuffed Peppers
Ground chicken works well with garlic, oregano, paprika, and mozzarella. Make sure the filling reaches 165°F (74°C) before serving.
Rice-Free Version
Simply leave out the cooked rice and prepare the filling with ground meat, vegetables, breadcrumbs, and seasonings.
Spicy Stuffed Peppers
Add ¼–½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, diced jalapeño, or a pinch of cayenne to the filling.
Italian-Style
Replace the oregano with Italian seasoning and use mozzarella with marinara sauce. A little grated Parmesan on top adds extra flavor.
Cheesy Version
Use cheddar, Monterey Jack, provolone, or a combination of cheeses instead of mozzarella.
Low-Carb Option
Skip the rice and use a low-carb breadcrumb alternative. Serve with a green salad or roasted vegetables.
Storage and Reheating
Allow leftover stuffed peppers to cool, then place them in an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
To reheat, place the peppers in an air-fryer-safe dish and heat at 350°F (175°C) for about 6–10 minutes, or until heated through. Cover loosely with foil if the cheese is browning too quickly.
You can freeze stuffed peppers, although the texture of the peppers may become softer after thawing. For best quality, freeze them in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 2–3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
Estimated nutrition per serving:
Calories | 490 kcal |
Carbohydrates | 24 g |
Protein | 35 g |
Fat | 28 g |
Saturated Fat | 10 g |
Fiber | 4 g |
Sugar | 9 g |
Sodium | 930 mg |
Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary depending on the size of the chicken thighs and the specific ingredients used.
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