Weeknight dinners can be a battle, and this air fryer stuffed peppers recipe can help you win! It is a healthy, hassle-free meal that the air fryer has ready in about 30 minutes.
Your air fryer can deliver perfectly cooked peppers in a fraction of the time needed for an oven. This recipe has a meaty, sloppy joe-inspired filling that uses kid-friendly, simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
But my favorite thing about air-fried stuffed peppers is that they have a tender exterior combined with a juicy filling for an incredible flavor and texture combination. And, of course, they are topped with melty cheese! These aren’t your grandma’s stuffed peppers; they’re a modern twist on a classic favorite that the air fryer makes even better.
In this post, we’ll walk through the steps to create this mouth-watering, easy, and delicious meal. I’ll even throw in some tips and answer any burning questions you might have.
Look for more easy air fryer recipes? Try air fryer chicken shawarma, air fryer pizza, garlic bread, and or air fryer Kung Pao shrimp.
🥘Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Bell Peppers: Grab any hue that tickles your fancy! Red, yellow, green bell peppers – they are all good.
- Ground Beef: Choose lean ground beef.
- Onion
- Garlic
- Chili powder
- Smoked paprika
- Ketchup
- Dijon mustard
- Brown sugar
- Worcestershire sauce
- Water
- Cheddar Cheese
🥣How to Make Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
- Slice the bell peppers in half. Scoop out the seeds and the white bits.
- Crumble the ground beef into a skillet and cook on medium heat until brown. Then, toss in the onions and garlic and let them cook together for a few minutes.
- Add the chili powder, paprika, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce and stir. Then add some water and stir again. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Spoon the meaty filling into your pepper halves.
- Pop those peppers into the air fryer and cook for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees F.
- When the timer dings, sprinkle your peppers with cheese and air fry for another 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese.
🍴Serving Ideas
Just pop these peppers on a plate with a simple green salad and some crusty bread. It’s an easy weeknight meal. You can also serve them with a side of cooked rice or quinoa, which can catch any of the filling that escapes.
For more of a comfort food vibe, you can nestle your air fryer stuffed pepper on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes.
💭How to Store
If you have leftover stuffed peppers, put them in an airtight container. They will stay good in the fridge for 3-4 days.
⭐Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- When prepping your peppers, pick ones that will lay flat in the air fryer without wobbling. It will be easier to put the peppers in the air fryer basket and add the filling.
- If you want to lighten things up, you can swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken.
- Mix it up with different cheeses. Use Pepper jack for some kick, mozzarella cheese for that stretchy cheese pull, or even a sprinkle of feta for a Mediterranean twist.
- If you’re not a ketchup fan, use tomato sauce instead.
- A dash of hot sauce can turn up the heat if you’re feeling spicy.
- Don’t crowd the peppers in the air fryer. If your air fryer is smaller, cook them in batches.
📝Reader Questions
Absolutely! You can swap the ground beef for a mix of quinoa and black beans or your favorite meat substitute.
Yes. Assemble your peppers, and keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to air fry. Add a minute or two to the cooking time if you start from cold.
They are done when the filling is bubbling around the edges. The peppers will be soft but not wrinkled or collapsed.
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Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 large bell peppers any color you’d like
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Cut the fresh bell peppers in half from top to bottom, and remove the stem, seeds, and any inside bits. Set aside.2 large bell peppers
- In a large skillet, add the ground beef and cook on medium-high heat until everything is cooked and browned. Add the onions and garlic and cook for 3-4 minutes on medium to low heat.1 pound ground beef, 1 onion, 2 cloves garlic
- Add the ketchup, Dijon mustard, chili powder, paprika, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce and stir until everything is combined. Add 1/2 cup of water and stir once again. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes or until it thickens.2 teaspoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 3/4 cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 3 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 cup water
- Using a spoon, evenly mix the meat mixture with the peppers. Add the peppers to the air fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes at 350°. Check halfway through to make sure the meat isn't burning.
- Once done, add the shredded cheese to the meat and cook again for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted.1 cup cheddar cheese
Notes
- When prepping your peppers, pick ones that will lay flat in the air fryer without wobbling. It will make it easier to put the peppers in the air fryer basket and add the filling.
- If you want to lighten things up, you can swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken.
- Mix it up by using different cheeses, like Mozzarella or Monterey Jack.
- If you’re not a ketchup fan, use tomato sauce instead.
- Don’t crowd the peppers in the air fryer. If your air fryer is smaller, cook them in batches.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
Looks easy and delicious. I will definitely try this recipe. Thank you for sharing.