Description
This Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers recipe combines juicy bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and Italian seasonings. It’s a simple, flavorful dish made quickly using the air fryer for a perfectly cooked, cheesy topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling 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
Main Ingredients
- 4 whole bell peppers (any color)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- chopped parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess grease and then stir in soy sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt to season the meat thoroughly.
- Mix in Rice and Tomatoes: Add the cooked rice, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste to the skillet. Stir well to combine all ingredients and cook for an additional 3 minutes to let flavors meld.
- Prepare the Bell Peppers: Cut the tops off each bell pepper and remove seeds and membranes. Carefully stuff each bell pepper with the beef and rice mixture, filling them evenly.
- Air Fry the Peppers: Place the stuffed peppers into the air fryer basket. If your air fryer is small, cook in two batches. Cook them at 360°F for 10 minutes to soften the peppers and heat the filling completely.
- Add Cheese Topping: Remove the peppers from the air fryer and sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the tops. Optionally garnish with chopped parsley. Return the peppers to the air fryer for an additional 3 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Serve: Carefully remove the stuffed peppers and plate them. Serve hot for a hearty, delicious meal.
Notes
- You can use any color bell peppers according to preference or availability.
- If cooking in batches, keep the first batch warm in a low oven while the second batch cooks.
- For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with cooked lentils or plant-based meat substitutes.
- Cooked rice should be fully cooled before mixing for the best texture.
- Ensure air fryer basket is not overcrowded for proper cooking and even heat circulation.
