Name: Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 bell peppers (any color), halved and seeded; 1/2 lb ground beef, turkey, or chicken; 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice); 1/2 onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 cup tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or taco seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or Mexican blend); Olive oil or cooking spray; Fresh parsley or chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)

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Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers are juicy, tender, and loaded with a savory filling of ground meat, rice, vegetables, and melty cheese—all packed into sweet bell peppers. Cooking them in the air fryer saves time and delivers perfectly cooked peppers with a slightly crisp finish.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it takes all the goodness of classic stuffed peppers and speeds it up in the air fryer. The peppers get soft but not soggy, the filling is hearty and flavorful, and the cheese melts beautifully on top. It’s a satisfying all-in-one meal that’s simple, customizable, and quick enough for a weeknight dinner.

ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Bell peppers (any color), halved and seeded
Ground beef, turkey, or chicken
Cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice)
Onion, finely chopped
Garlic, minced
Tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
Italian seasoning or taco seasoning (depending on the flavor I want)
Salt
Black pepper
Shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or Mexican blend)
Olive oil or cooking spray
Fresh parsley or chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)

directions

I preheat the air fryer to 360°F (180°C) for a few minutes.
I heat a skillet and cook the ground meat with onion and garlic until browned. I drain any excess fat.
I stir in the tomato sauce, cooked rice, seasoning, salt, and pepper. I let it simmer for 2–3 minutes to blend the flavors.
I lightly brush or spray the pepper halves with oil and place them in the air fryer basket.
I spoon the filling into each pepper half, pressing it down gently to pack it in.
I air fry the stuffed peppers for 10–12 minutes, then open the basket and top each pepper with shredded cheese.
I return them to the air fryer for another 2–3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
I remove and garnish with parsley or green onions before serving.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes 4 stuffed pepper halves (2 whole peppers) and serves 2–3 people, depending on appetite. It takes 15 minutes to prep and 12–15 minutes to cook, ready in just 30 minutes total.

Variations

Sometimes I use quinoa or couscous instead of rice, or go low-carb with cauliflower rice. I’ve added black beans and corn for a southwestern twist, or swapped in marinara for an Italian-style version. For extra spice, I mix in chopped jalapeños or hot sauce.

storage/reheating

I store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I use the air fryer at 350°F for 4–5 minutes or microwave them until heated through. They also freeze well—just wrap individually and thaw overnight before reheating.

FAQs

Do I need to pre-cook the peppers?

No, I don’t. The air fryer cooks them perfectly soft while still holding their shape.

Can I use raw rice?

No, the rice should be fully cooked before mixing into the filling. Using raw rice won’t give enough time to cook properly in the air fryer.

What meat works best?

I usually use lean ground beef or turkey, but ground chicken, pork, or even plant-based crumbles work great.

Can I make them dairy-free?

Yes, I just skip the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative. The filling still tastes rich and satisfying.

How do I keep them from tipping over?

I slice a very thin layer off the bottom of each pepper half if they wobble. That helps them sit flat in the basket.

Conclusion

Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers are a fast, flavorful way to enjoy a classic comfort dish with a modern twist. They’re healthy, filling, and easy to customize to whatever ingredients I have on hand. With melty cheese, seasoned meat, and tender peppers, it’s a meal I love coming back to all year round.