Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers with Ground Beef

Looking for a wholesome meal that’s quick and delicious? These Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers are just that! Enjoy perfectly crispy bell peppers stuffed with hearty ground beef, fluffy rice, and melty cheese. Made mostly from pantry ingredients, this recipe is fantastic for meal prep and an easy way to get dinner on the table.

An Easy Air Fryer Recipe, Ready in 30 Minutes

Stuffed peppers are such a fun and delicious dinner idea. But if you’ve ever baked them, you know the struggle of trying to avoid soggy peppers as a result. Peppers hold a lot of water, so getting them crispy can take more effort than just popping them in the oven.

However, making them in an air fryer solves this problem! This air fryer stuffed peppers recipe yields perfectly tender-crisp peppers every time. As with most air fryer recipes, it also cuts the cooking time substantially, making it great for those nights when your energy levels are running on empty.

I love to utilize this recipe when I’ve got leftover rice or want to prep a batch for the week. The filling is easily customizable, so you can add in your favorite veggies or swap out the protein to make it vegetarian or vegan. So easy, so good!

Ingredients

• Bell peppers: Use large, fresh bell peppers of any color – they’re the perfect edible bowls for stuffing and add a nice crunch.  
• Ground beef: I prefer using lean ground beef, but ground chicken or turkey also work great!
• Onion & garlic: The flavor duo that makes everything taste better.  
• Pre-cooked rice: Use white or brown rice for a hearty base.  
• Canned diced tomatoes: Adds a juicy, tangy kick to the filling.  
• Cheese: A mix of shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese to create that melty, gooey goodness.
• Seasoning blend: No taco seasoning here. I keep it clean and simple with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.  
• Olive oil spray: Keeps everything from sticking and gives a light, even coating.

How to Make Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers

Step 1: Prep the Peppers

First, let’s prep the peppers. Slice the tops off and scoop out all the seeds and membranes. Then give the outsides a light spritz with some olive oil spray.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and onion over medium heat. Once it’s cooked, drain off any extra fat. 

Stir in the garlic, diced tomatoes, cooked rice, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Then, mix in about half of the cheese until it’s nicely combined.

Step 3: Assemble

Time to stuff! Spoon the beef mixture evenly into each pepper, filling them all the way to the top.

Step 4: Air Fry

Place stuffed peppers upright in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 360°F for 15 minutes, or until the peppers are nice and tender.

For the final touch, sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the top of each pepper. Pop them back in the air fryer for another 2-3 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 5: Let Cool & Serve

Remove carefully and let them cool for a minute before serving. Enjoy!

​What to Pair with Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers

You’d be surprised by how filling these stuffed peppers are (don’t forget, there’s rice in there!). They may look small on the plate, but they’re compact! But if you’re looking for a heartier meal, try serving them with a side of my Best Damn Air Fryer Street Corn,  Skillet Cornbread, or Instant Pot Black Beans. A simple green salad would also be a fresh contrast, or something creamy and satisfying like my 4-Ingredient Pesto Tortellini Salad!

How to Store

How to Reheat

• From refrigerated: Microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through.
• From frozen (uncooked): Place the stuffed pepper in the air fryer at 350°F for 15–18 minutes. Then, add cheese and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes, or until the cheese is melty.
• From frozen (cooked): Air fry at 350°F for 10–12 minutes, adding cheese near the end if desired.

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