Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers normally need an hour in the oven, and the peppers either stay hard or collapse. Air fryer stuffed peppers cook halved bell peppers filled with seasoned ground beef and rice in about 15 minutes at 375 °F, so the peppers turn tender with browned, cheesy tops. Each batch fits four halves, and the filling uses raw ground beef with no pre-cooking.
- Temperature
- 375°F190 °C
- Total time
- 48min
- Prep time
- 15min
- Servings
- 4
- Internal temp
- 160°F71 °C
- Per serving
- 370kcal
Why the air fryer works for stuffed peppers
A stuffed pepper has to do two jobs at once. The pepper should soften, and the filling should cook through and brown on top. In the oven that takes about an hour. In the air fryer, hot air flows around the pepper walls and over the open filling, so the skin blisters, the cheese melts and the beef cooks in 15 minutes.
Halved peppers work better than whole ones in an air fryer, because they cook faster and fit the basket without touching the heating element. Cooked rice and tomato sauce keep the filling moist, so you do not need to pre-cook the meat. Stuffed peppers in the air fryer are a good use for leftover rice, and a weeknight dinner that needs little attention. For other beef dishes see meatloaf and meatballs.
How to make stuffed peppers in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prepare the peppers Cut the peppers in half lengthwise through the stem and remove the seeds and white ribs. Leave the stems on for a neat look. Pat the insides dry.
- Make the filling In a bowl, mix the raw ground beef, cooked rice, tomato sauce, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and ½ cup of the cheese. Mix gently until combined.
- Stuff Divide the filling among the 8 pepper halves, pressing it down lightly and mounding it a little in the center.
- Preheat and cook Preheat the air fryer to 375 °F for . Place 4 halves in the basket, filling side up and upright, so they do not tip. Cook for .
- Add the cheese Sprinkle each half with the remaining cheese, using about 1 tablespoon per half, and cook for 2 more minutes, until melted. Check that the filling reaches 160 °F with an instant-read thermometer. Repeat with the second batch.
- Rest Let the peppers rest for before serving. Keep the first batch warm under foil while the second cooks.
Times and temperatures
| Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Beef and rice, halvesPer batch of 4 halves | 375 °F (190 °C) | 15 min |
| Large peppers | 375 °F (190 °C) | 18–20 min |
| Ground turkey fillingCook to 165 °F | 375 °F (190 °C) | 15–17 min |
| Frozen stuffed peppersHeat to 165 °F | 360 °F (180 °C) | 18–22 min |
| Mini sweet peppers | 370 °F (190 °C) | 8–10 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. Done at 160 °F (71 °C) in the center. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Read also: Thanksgiving in the air fryer – a game plan
Tips
- Choose peppers that sit flat. Pick peppers with a flat base that stand upright, or trim a thin slice from the bottom.
- Cook in two batches. Four halves fit comfortably in most 5–6 qt baskets. Crowding blocks the airflow.
- Add cheese at the end. Cheese added at the start burns before the filling is done.
What to serve with stuffed peppers
Stuffed peppers are a full meal, but a green salad, garlic bread or roasted potatoes make them more filling. A spoonful of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top works well. Roasted broccoli is an easy side for a weeknight dinner.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate cooled peppers in a sealed container for 3 to 4 days. They freeze well for up to 3 months. Reheat in the air fryer at 350 °F for 6–8 minutes until the center reaches 165 °F, pressing a small piece of foil onto the filling if the cheese browns too much.
Variations
- Vegetarian: Replace the beef with 1 cup rinsed black beans and ½ cup corn, and cook for 12 minutes, until the peppers are tender and the filling is hot.
- Southwest: Use taco seasoning, pepper jack cheese and a spoonful of salsa in the filling.
- Italian sausage: Replace half of the beef with bulk Italian sausage.
If it does not turn out right
- The peppers are still firm
- The peppers were large or thick-walled. Cook them 3–4 minutes longer, or microwave the empty halves for 2 minutes before stuffing.
- The filling is dry
- Rice absorbs moisture. Use cooked rice and the tomato sauce, and do not skip the sauce. Do not use uncooked rice.
- The top burns before the middle is done
- Lower the heat to 350 °F and extend the time by 3 minutes, or press a small piece of foil down onto the filling after 8 minutes so it cannot lift.
Questions and answers
How long do you cook stuffed peppers in the air fryer?
About 15 minutes at 375 °F for halves filled with raw ground beef and rice. Add 3–4 minutes for large peppers. The filling must reach 160 °F.
Can you cook stuffed peppers with raw ground beef?
Yes. The raw beef cooks inside the pepper, and the pepper keeps it juicy. Check that the filling reaches 160 °F in the center.
Can I make stuffed peppers without rice?
Yes. Replace the rice with ¾ cup cauliflower rice or more beef and diced zucchini. The filling will be a little looser.
Can you cook frozen stuffed peppers in the air fryer?
Yes. Cook ready-made frozen peppers at 360 °F for 18–22 minutes without thawing, until the center reaches 165 °F, pressing a small piece of foil onto the filling if the top browns too fast.
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