Easy Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
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My Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers are the ultimate easy take on the oven-baked classic. With tender peppers, a rich savory filling, and melted mozzarella on top, they deliver all the savory goodness you expect without turning on the oven. I’ve fine-tuned the timing and ingredients so they cook evenly and taste like they’ve been simmering for hours.
Recipe for My Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
My family loves stuffed peppers, but spending over an hour in the kitchen on a weeknight isn’t always realistic. That’s why I created this air fryer version. It has everything you love about the classic baked recipe: tender peppers, savory ground beef filling, and melted mozzarella, all cooked in a faster and easier way.
I’ve tried other shortcuts, like par-cooking the peppers or using precooked filling, but the results were never quite right. The texture was off, and the flavor was not the same. My air fryer method finally gets it right. The peppers cook evenly and stay perfectly tender, the filling is rich and cheesy, and the whole dish comes together in a fraction of the time it takes in the oven.
Why My Recipe is the Best
- Even cooking every time – The air fryer ensures the peppers cook through without becoming mushy or underdone.
- Better flavors – I took the guesswork out of the ingredients. Every bite has the perfect balance of seasoned beef, rice, tomato sauce, and cheese.
- Quicker and foolproof – My recipe takes 15 minutes in the air fryer, versus an hour in the oven with no need to pre-boil or babysit.
Ingredients to Make My Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers with Ground Beef
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make this recipe. Scroll down to the full recipe card for the specific amounts.
- Bell peppers – You can use any color pepper you like. Red and yellow peppers are sweeter while green have a stronger flavor.
- Ground beef – Creates the savory filling. Use lean beef for less grease.
- Onion – Adds a touch of sweetness once sautéed.
- Cooked rice: Helps bind the filling; white, brown, or even microwave rice works.
- Tomato sauce – Adds moisture and ties the flavors together.
- Worcestershire sauce – Enhances the beef’s savory flavor.
- Garlic powder – Adds mild garlic flavor without overpowering.
- Italian seasoning – Gives the dish that traditional aroma and taste.
- Salt and black pepper – Season the filling.
- Mozzarella cheese – Melts beautifully for a gooey, golden topping that completes the dish.
Substitutions or Variations
- Protein – You can swap the ground beef for Italian sausage or turkey for a lighter option.
- Vegetables – Mix in diced zucchini or mushrooms for added vegetables and texture.
- Rice – Use cauliflower rice instead of white rice for a low-carb version.
- Cheese – You can use cheddar or provolone instead of mozzarella if that’s what you have.
- Peppers – Make mini versions using small peppers for a great appetizer option.
How to Cook Stuffed Peppers in the Air Fryer
Here are my step-by-step instructions so you can make this recipe with ease. For the full, printable recipe with amounts and temperatures, scroll down to the recipe card below.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned and onion is softened, about 6-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in cooked rice, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and half of the cheese. Mix until well combined.
- Spoon filling evenly into peppers.
- Arrange peppers in the air fryer basket (cook in batches if needed). Air fry at 360° F for 10 minutes, until peppers are tender.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and air fry for 1-2 minutes more, until cheese is melted.
- Pick peppers that stand upright – slice a thin layer off the bottom if needed.
- Drain any excess grease from the beef – to prevent sogginess.
- Use freshly shredded cheese – for the best melt.
- Don’t overfill – leave a bit of space for the cheese topping.
What to Serve With This Recipe
You can serve these Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers as a complete meal on their own, or pair them with one of these easy sides for a little extra variety.
If you love rice and ground beef recipes like these stuffed peppers, be sure to try my Texas Hash.
FAQs
Yes. They’re loaded with protein, vegetables, and wholesome ingredients, all cooked with minimal oil.
No. The rice needs to be cooked first or it won’t soften properly in the air fryer. Using precooked or microwave rice keeps the filling moist and evenly textured.
No. The peppers release a little moisture as they cook, which is enough to keep them tender. Adding water could make them soggy.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerate – Store leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze – Wrap each pepper tightly in plastic wrap, place them in a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheat – Warm in the air fryer at 350° F for 4-5 minutes until heated through. You can also reheat in the microwave, but the air fryer keeps the peppers tender with a perfectly melted top.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Onion Rings
- Air Fry Kielbasa
- Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes
- Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
- Air Fryer Cheddar Biscuits
- Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
- Air Fryer Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Fish and Chips
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Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
Equipment
- air fryer
Ingredients
- 4 bell peppers any color, tops cut off and seeds removed
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 cup cooked rice packet/microwave rice works great
- 8 ounces tomato sauce 1 can
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the beef and onion until the beef is browned and the onion is softened, 6-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.1 pound ground beef, 1 small onion
- Stir in the cooked rice, tomato sauce, Worcestershire, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and half of the cheese. Mix until well combined.1 cup cooked rice, 8 ounces tomato sauce, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- Spoon the filling evenly into the peppers.4 bell peppers
- Arrange peppers in the air fryer basket, cook in batches if needed. Air fry at 360° F for 10 minutes, until the peppers are tender.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the tops and air fry for another 2 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted.
- Let cool slightly before serving
Nutrition
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