These tasty air fryer stuffed peppers are so easy to make! The ground beef and rice filling is super satisfying while the melty cheese on top adds the perfect finishing touch.
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Craving something hearty and filling that can be on the table in about 40 minutes flat? Then you have to try these delicious air fryer stuffed peppers!
The air fryer cooks the peppers while you brown the beef with onion and garlic on the stove.
After that, simply combine all the filling ingredients, stuff into the peppers, and air fry for a few more minutes. Top with cheese for that perfect melty finish!
Here’s what I’m going to teach you in this post:
- The quick and easy way to make super satisfying stuffed peppers in the air fryer
- A simple trick to more flavorful rice
- How to make this recipe for air fryer stuffed peppers vegetarian
- What to serve with stuffed peppers
- An easy presentation hack if you really want your peppers to pop
My favorite part about stuffed peppers is that they’re so easy to make, but they’re a meal I’m always proud to serve! They look great on a plate and taste even better.
Once you give them a try, they’ll be your new favorite go-to busy weeknight recipe!
And if you love peppers, try our Air Fryer Bacon Jalapenos, Air Fryer Roasted Bell Peppers, and Air Fryer Shishito Peppers too!
How to Make Stuffed Peppers in the Air Fryer
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Preheat the air fryer to 300 degrees F.
STEP TWO: Cut the tops of the peppers off, then scrape out the seeds.
STEP THREE: Cook the rice according to the package directions.
STEP FOUR: Brush the peppers with olive oil, inside and out. Place them in the air fryer basket and cook for 5 minutes.
STEP FIVE: While the peppers are cooking, season the beef with salt and pepper.
STEP SIX: Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, then add the beef, onions, and garlic. Cook until the beef is browned with no more pink, then drain the grease.
STEP SEVEN: Add the cooked rice, tomato sauce, and Italian seasoning to the saucepan with the beef and simmer for 4 minutes.
STEP EIGHT: Scoop the beef mixture into the peppers, then place the stuffed peppers in the air fryer.
STEP NINE: Cook at 350 degrees F for 8 minutes. Open the air fryer, top the peppers with the shredded mozzarella, then air fry for another 3-4 minutes until the tops are golden brown.
STEP TEN: Remove from the air fryer, top with chopped parsley for additional garnish, and enjoy!
What Kind of Bell Peppers Should You Use?
This is totally up to you! Green peppers are going to be a little more earthy while orange, yellow, or red will be sweeter.
Red is the sweetest variety, so when in doubt, I usually go for red bell peppers. Or you could grab a few different colors and see which one you like best!
An Easy Way to Add More Flavor to Your Rice
Want to know my favorite trick for adding some depth of flavor to the rice? Cook it in beef broth instead of water!
You’ll still follow all the normal instructions on the box, but however much water the recipe calls for, just swap that out for beef broth.
You could also use chicken or vegetable broth, but I like using beef to go with the ground beef in the filling.
How to Make Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers Vegetarian
Looking for a meat-free dish? Try making your air fryer stuffed peppers with rice and beans instead!
Start by rinsing and draining your beans of choice. Next, saute the onion and garlic until soft and fragrant.
Finally, add the beans, cooked rice, tomato sauce, and Italian seasoning to the saucepan and simmer for 4 minutes. Follow the rest of the recipe like usual!
You could also replace the beef with Air Fryer Tofu or Air Fryer Tempeh for some added protein.
Cook the tofu or tempeh according to the recipes, then add to the saucepan with the rice, tomato sauce, and seasoning before simmering. From there, proceed with the rest of the recipe.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
- Air Fryer Nachos
- Air Fryer Tomatoes
- Avocado Lime Crema
- Mac and Cheese with Cream Cheese
- Mango Habanero Salsa
- Quinoa Chickpea Salad
Take your Pepper Presentation to the Next Level
Want to use the tops of the peppers for the presentation? No problem! Once you’ve finished cooking the stuffed peppers in the air fryer, set them aside.
Add the tops of the peppers to the air fryer basket and cook at 350 degrees F for 6-8 minutes. Place them on top of the stuffed peppers and serve!
Other Air Fryer Weeknight Dinner Recipes You’ll Love:
- Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan
- Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms
- Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken Breast
- French Bread Pizza in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Italian Sausage with Peppers and Onions
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Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
- 4 bell peppers
- 1 pound of lean ground beef
- 1 cup of cooked rice
- 1 Tablespoon of olive oil
- 2 cups of tomato sauce
- ½ onion chopped
- ½ Tablespoon minced garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
- ¾ cup of shredded mozzarella
- Optional: parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 300 degrees.Â
- Cut the tops of the peppers off and then scrape out the seeds.Â
- Cook your rice according to the package directions.
- Brush your peppers with olive oil, inside and out. Place them into the air fryer basket and cook for 5 minutes.Â
- While the peppers are cooking, season your beef with salt and pepper then brown it with the onions and garlic, in a medium saucepan, over medium high heat. Cook till there is no more pink in the beef and then drain the grease.Â
- Add the cooked rice, tomato sauce, and Italian seasoning to your beef mixture and simmer for 4 minutes.Â
- Scoop the beef mixture into the peppers and place them back into the air fryer. Cook at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Top them with the shredded mozzarella and place back into the air fryer for another 3-4 minutes, till the tops are golden brown.Â
- Remove from the air fryer and enjoy. Top with chopped parsley for additional garnish.
Sounds like a good recipe for the air-fryer, but I always halve my peppers vertically, to get more ‘stuff’ in them AND to get more surface area, for MORE CHEESE! (I prefer sharp cheddar.) I only bake 2 (4 halves) at a time (it’s just the 2 of us) in an 8×8″ dish, so I think they’ll fit in the basket.
I may also skip the initial 5 minutes on the empty peppers. We like a little more crunch in ours.
I have made stuffed peppers in the air fryer many times. I mix the raw ground meat with whatever seasonings feel right for the night, plus either rice or raw oatmeal. It is much like meatloaf. Cheese is a frequent addition. The meat cooks along with the pepper.
Could I use beef broth using brown rice which needs a lot of help adding flavor to it? Plan on making this tonight using lean ground Turkey meat. Thank you.
Yes, you can, Kris! Just cook the rice in the beef broth fully and use it in the recipe as normal!
What an awesome way to make stuffed peppers! I cannot thank you enough! Absolutely delicious and so easy!! 🙂