If you are craving a colorful, wholesome, and unbelievably satisfying meal, this Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers Recipe is going to become your new favorite dinner idea. Bursting with juicy ground beef, savory tomato, and melty mozzarella cheese, stuffed inside tender bell peppers, these little flavor-packed parcels cook quickly and evenly thanks to the air fryer, making them a weeknight lifesaver. Each bite delivers a perfect balance of richness and freshness, showing just how simple ingredients and a bit of air fryer magic can transform into a dish everyone will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers Recipe calls for a handful of ingredients that are straightforward but essential for building the perfect blend of savory, tangy, and cheesy goodness. Every component has a role, from the hearty ground beef to the sweet bell peppers that hold everything together with their vibrant flavors.
- 1 lb. ground beef: Provides a rich, meaty base that makes the filling satisfyingly hearty.
- 2 tbsp soy sauce: Adds depth and a subtle umami touch to elevate the flavors.
- 1 tsp garlic powder: Brings a warm, aromatic note without overpowering the dish.
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning: Infuses herbs like oregano and basil for a Mediterranean flair.
- ½ tsp salt: Essential to enhance all the other flavors perfectly.
- 1¾ cups cooked rice: Gives the filling a wonderful texture and helps soak up the delicious juices.
- 15 oz. diced tomatoes: Provides juicy brightness and a slight acidity to balance the richness.
- 6 oz. tomato paste: Concentrates the tomato flavor, adding thickness and depth.
- 4 whole bell peppers (any color): Sweet, crisp vessels for the filling, adding color and crunch.
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully on top, creating a luscious, gooey finish.
- Chopped parsley (optional garnish): Adds a fresh, herbaceous pop to brighten the final presentation.
How to Make Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Beef and Season It
Start by browning your ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it’s nicely caramelized. This step is where the meaty flavor gets locked in. After draining the excess grease, season the beef with soy sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt to build that irresistible savory foundation.
Step 2: Combine the Filling Ingredients
Next, stir in the cooked rice, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste. Mixing these ingredients in the skillet allows the flavors to meld and the filling to thicken slightly. Let it cook for about 3 minutes so everything binds together wonderfully.
Step 3: Prepare and Stuff the Bell Peppers
While your filling cooks, take your bell peppers and cut off the tops. Remove all the seeds and membranes to create perfect little edible cups. Stuff each pepper with the beef and rice mixture, packing it firmly but gently. Since air fryer baskets can be small, be ready to cook in batches if necessary.
Step 4: Cook the Stuffed Peppers in the Air Fryer
Place the filled peppers upright inside the air fryer basket and cook at 360°F for 10 minutes. The air fryer seals in moisture and crisps up the edges of the peppers, creating a delicious texture that’s hard to beat.
Step 5: Add Cheese and Finish Cooking
Carefully remove the peppers and sprinkle a generous layer of mozzarella cheese on top. Return the peppers to the air fryer and cook for another 3 minutes, just until the cheese melts into a bubbly, golden topping.
Step 6: Plate and Serve
Once the cheese is melted and perfectly bubbly, your Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers Recipe is ready to enjoy. Serve them hot, optionally garnished with chopped parsley for a fresh, colorful touch.
How to Serve Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Garnishes
Adding chopped parsley on top is a simple but beautiful way to brighten the dish visually and add a fresh, herbal note. You can also sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes if you like a kick of heat or a little drizzle of extra tomato sauce for added moisture.
Side Dishes
These stuffed peppers are hearty on their own but pair wonderfully with a crisp green salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette or a side of roasted vegetables. Garlic bread or buttery mashed potatoes also complement the filling’s rich flavors beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive touch, arrange stuffed peppers on a platter with different colored bell peppers to create a vibrant display. You can also serve them halved on a bed of fresh greens for an elegant dinner party dish that’s as eye-catching as it is tasty.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover stuffed peppers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping the cheese on top sealed well preserves its melty goodness for reheating later.
Freezing
You can freeze the stuffed peppers after cooking and cooling completely. Wrap each pepper individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container or bag. They will keep well for up to 2 months and thaw quickly when you’re ready to enjoy.
Reheating
Reheat stuffed peppers in the air fryer at 350°F for about 5 to 7 minutes or until warmed through. This method helps retain that lightly crisped pepper texture, unlike microwaving, which can make them soggy.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken works perfectly in this recipe. Just follow the same recipe steps, adjusting the cooking time slightly if needed to ensure the poultry is fully cooked.
Do I have to cook the rice before stuffing the peppers?
Yes, the rice should be cooked ahead of time because it needs to be soft and capable of absorbing the flavors in the filling without drying out during air frying.
Can I prepare these stuffed peppers ahead of time and cook later?
Definitely. You can stuff the peppers and store them covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking. This makes the Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers Recipe perfect for meal prep or when you want to save time.
What if I don’t have an air fryer? Can I bake these instead?
You can bake the stuffed peppers in a conventional oven at 375°F for about 25-30 minutes, then add cheese and bake for an additional 5 minutes. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
How can I add more veggies to the filling?
Feel free to mix in finely chopped onions, mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini to boost the veggie content. Just sauté them with the beef to keep the flavors balanced and moisture levels right.
Final Thoughts
This Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers Recipe is a shining example of how a handful of simple ingredients can come together to create a meal full of comforting flavors and vibrant colors. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just yourself, these stuffed peppers are a delightful way to enjoy a quick, nutritious, and satisfying dinner. I hope you give this recipe a try and love it as much as I do—it’s truly a weeknight game changer!
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Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers recipe offers a delicious, quick, and easy way to enjoy a classic stuffed pepper dish using an air fryer. Ground beef, seasoned with soy sauce and Italian spices, is combined with rice and tomatoes before being stuffed into colorful bell peppers and cooked to perfection. Topped with melted mozzarella and optional fresh parsley, this recipe serves a hearty, flavorful meal in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Meat and Seasonings
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
Fillings
- 1¾ cups cooked rice
- 15 oz. diced tomatoes
- 6 oz. tomato paste
Vegetables
- 4 whole bell peppers (any color)
Toppings and Garnishes
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- Chopped parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain any excess grease, then stir in soy sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt to season the meat thoroughly.
- Combine Fillings: Add cooked rice, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste to the skillet with the beef mixture. Stir everything together evenly and cook for an additional 3 minutes to blend the flavors and heat through.
- Prepare the Bell Peppers: Cut off the tops of the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes inside. Fill each pepper cavity with the seasoned beef and rice mixture, distributing it evenly among all four peppers.
- Air Fry the Peppers: Place the stuffed peppers in the air fryer basket. Depending on your air fryer size, you may need to cook them in two batches. Cook at 360°F (182°C) for 10 minutes to soften the peppers and start melting the filling inside.
- Add Cheese and Finish Cooking: Remove the peppers from the air fryer, sprinkle the tops with mozzarella cheese and optional chopped parsley. Return the peppers to the air fryer and cook for an additional 3 minutes at the same temperature to melt the cheese perfectly.
- Serve: Carefully remove the stuffed peppers from the air fryer, plate them, and serve hot as a satisfying main dish.
Notes
- To reduce sodium, use low-sodium soy sauce or substitute with tamari.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with cooked lentils or plant-based meat alternatives.
- Bell peppers can be any color; red and yellow tend to be sweeter.
- Ensure cooked rice is cooled before mixing to prevent mushiness.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the stuffed peppers at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes, then top with cheese and bake an additional 5 minutes.
- Leftover stuffed peppers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer or oven.
