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Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers

Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers

These Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers are packed with seasoned ground meat, rice, and melty cheese—tender peppers with a flavorful, hearty filling, ready fast without heating up the oven.

  • Total Time: 30–35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 (1 stuffed pepper each) 1x

Ingredients

4 medium bell peppers (any color)

1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)

1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice)

1 cup marinara sauce (or tomato sauce)

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 cup shredded mozzarella (or cheddar blend), divided

2 tbsp grated Parmesan (optional)

1 tbsp olive oil (optional, for brushing peppers)

Optional add-ins (choose 1-2): diced onion, chopped spinach, mushrooms, corn, black beans, jalapeños, or a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Instructions

Prep the peppers: Slice the tops off the peppers and remove seeds/membranes. Trim the bottom slightly if needed so they stand upright (don’t cut through).

Pre-cook peppers (recommended): Air fry the hollow peppers at 360°F for 5 minutes to soften. Remove and set aside.

Cook the filling: In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground meat until browned. Drain excess grease. Stir in marinara, cooked rice, seasonings, and 1/2 cup cheese. Cook 1–2 minutes until combined.

Stuff: Spoon filling into peppers. Top with remaining cheese (and Parmesan if using).

Air fry: Place peppers upright in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 360°F for 9–13 minutes, until peppers are tender and cheese is melted and bubbly.

Rest & serve: Let rest 3–5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Cooking Tips

  • Keep peppers upright: If they wobble, lightly trim the bottoms or nestle them close together in the basket.

  • Don’t overfill: Leave a little space for the cheese to melt without spilling.

  • Rice shortcut: Use microwavable rice or leftover rice to cut prep time.

  • Check tenderness: Larger peppers may need a few extra minutes; smaller peppers cook faster.

  • Avoid burnt cheese: If your air fryer runs hot, add cheese during the last 3–4 minutes.

Variations

 

  1. Turkey Taco Stuffed Peppers: Use taco seasoning, swap marinara for salsa, add black beans + corn, top with cheddar.

  2. Low-Carb/Keto: Replace rice with cauliflower rice; use sugar-free marinara.

  3. Vegetarian: Swap meat for cooked lentils or a plant-based crumble; add mushrooms and spinach.

  4. Italian Sausage: Use mild or hot Italian sausage and add extra Parmesan.

  5. Buffalo Chicken: Use shredded cooked chicken + buffalo sauce + a little ranch seasoning; top with mozzarella.

  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 14–18 minutes

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 430
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 780mg
  • Fat: 23g
  • Carbohydrates: 26g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 30g

Find it online: https://greatfoodrecipe.com/air-fryer-stuffed-peppers/

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