Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Introduction
Stuffed peppers are a comforting and flavorful meal that’s easy to make in an air fryer. This recipe combines seasoned ground beef, rice, and tomato sauce, all baked inside tender bell pepper halves and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. It’s a quick dinner perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp. olive oil
- ½ cup diced onion
- ½ lb. ground beef
- 1 tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- ¼ tsp. garlic powder
- 1 cup (8 oz.) tomato sauce
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 3 bell peppers, halved
- ¾ cup mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Step 2: Once hot, add the diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes.
- Step 3: Add the ground beef, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until the beef is browned, about 8-10 minutes.
- Step 4: Stir in the cooked rice and tomato sauce until well combined, then remove from heat.
- Step 5: Place the halved bell peppers cut side up in the air fryer tray and fill each with the beef and rice mixture.
- Step 6: Slide the tray into the air fryer. Set the temperature to 360ºF and cook for 17 minutes.
- Step 7: After 15 minutes, carefully remove the tray and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on the stuffed peppers. Return the tray to the air fryer and finish cooking.
- Step 8: Once done, remove the peppers carefully and serve warm.
Tips & Variations
- Use different cheeses such as cheddar or pepper jack for a twist in flavor.
- You can substitute ground beef with turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Add chopped fresh herbs like parsley or basil into the filling for extra freshness.
- If your bell peppers are very large, consider increasing the cooking time by a few minutes.
Storage
Store any leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them back in the air fryer at 350ºF for 5-7 minutes or until warmed through. Avoid microwaving to maintain the pepper’s texture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pepper?
Yes, you can use poblano, Anaheim, or even large tomatoes if you prefer, though cooking times may vary slightly.
Do I need to pre-cook the rice?
Yes, the rice should be cooked before mixing it with the beef and tomato sauce to ensure it is tender after air frying.
PrintAir Fryer Stuffed Peppers Recipe
This Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers recipe combines tender bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, onions, rice, and tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Cooked quickly and evenly in an air fryer, these stuffed peppers are a delicious and satisfying meal perfect for any weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 6 stuffed pepper halves (3 bell peppers, halved) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tsp olive oil
- ½ cup diced onion
- ½ lb ground beef
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 3 bell peppers, halved
- ¾ cup mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot, preparing it for sautéing the onions.
- Sauté onions and brown beef: Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent. Then add the ground beef along with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Cook beef mixture: Continue cooking the ground beef until it is thoroughly browned and no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Stir frequently to break the meat apart.
- Add rice and tomato sauce: Stir in the cooked rice and tomato sauce, combining everything well. Remove the skillet from heat once fully mixed.
- Prepare peppers: Place the halved bell peppers into the bottom of the air fryer tray, ensuring they are stable and upright.
- Fill peppers: Spoon the beef and rice mixture evenly into each pepper half, filling them generously.
- Air fry the peppers: Insert the tray into the air fryer and cook at 360ºF (182ºC) for 17 minutes. This will cook the peppers and heat the filling.
- Add cheese topping: After 15 minutes, carefully pull out the tray and sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the stuffed peppers. Slide the tray back into the air fryer to finish cooking for the remaining 2 minutes.
- Serve: Carefully remove the stuffed peppers from the air fryer once cooking is complete. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure the bell peppers are halved and seeds removed for even cooking and easy filling.
- Use pre-cooked rice to reduce total cook time and improve texture.
- If your air fryer is smaller, cook peppers in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based protein for variations.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer or oven.
Keywords: air fryer stuffed peppers, ground beef stuffed peppers, easy stuffed peppers, quick dinner recipe, stuffed bell peppers with cheese
