Dinner

Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers Recipe

ByHarry Bern February 6, 2026February 6, 2026

Introduction

Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers are a quick and flavorful meal that combines juicy bell peppers with a savory beef and rice filling. This recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner and offers a delicious twist using your air fryer for a perfectly cooked, tender bite every time.

The image shows stuffed bell peppers with three visible layers each. The bottom layer is the hollowed-out bell pepper, one red and one orange, with smooth, shiny skin forming the base. On top of this is a layer of cooked filling, dark brown with a slightly crumbly texture, peeking through the cheese. The top layer is melted cheese, gooey and creamy white with some light browning around the edges, sprinkled with small green chopped herbs for freshness. The peppers are inside a black air fryer basket with light reflections on the metal. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp salt
1¾ cups cooked rice
15 oz. diced tomatoes
6 oz. tomato paste
4 whole bell peppers (any color)
1 cup mozzarella cheese
Chopped parsley (optional garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain any grease, then stir in soy sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt.
Step 2: Add cooked rice, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste to the beef mixture. Stir thoroughly and cook for 3 minutes to combine flavors.
Step 3: Prepare the bell peppers by cutting off the tops and removing the seeds. Fill each pepper with the beef and rice mixture.
Step 4: Place the stuffed peppers in the air fryer basket. You may need to cook in two batches depending on your air fryer size.
Step 5: Cook the peppers at 360°F for 10 minutes.
Step 6: Remove the peppers from the air fryer and top each with mozzarella cheese and chopped parsley if using.
Step 7: Return the peppers to the air fryer and cook for an additional 3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 8: Plate and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

For a vegetarian option, substitute ground beef with cooked lentils or crumbled tofu.
Try adding chopped onions or bell pepper pieces to the filling for extra texture and flavor.
Use different cheeses like cheddar or pepper jack to vary the taste.
If you prefer softer peppers, cook them an additional 2-3 minutes in the air fryer before adding cheese.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place stuffed peppers in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes or until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat in the microwave, though the peppers may become softer.

How to Serve

The image shows three stuffed bell peppers placed on a white plate on a white marbled surface. Each pepper has a different color: green, orange, and red. They are filled with a cooked mixture topped with melted white cheese, which is slightly browned in spots, and sprinkled with finely chopped green herbs. A fourth stuffed red bell pepper is on a separate white plate near the top left corner. Fresh green parsley lies between the plates near a black cooking appliance, and a silver fork is placed to the right of the main plate, with a folded blue and white striped cloth napkin visible on the left side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the stuffed peppers ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the stuffed peppers and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before air frying. This makes for a convenient make-ahead meal.

Can I freeze leftover stuffed peppers?

Absolutely. Wrap each stuffed pepper tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.