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These air fryer stuffed peppers are one of my go-to dinners when I need something hearty but quick. I fill them with seasoned ground beef and rice, and they come out perfectly tender in just 30 minutes. They’re so simple to make, and I love how filling they are—perfect for an easy weeknight family meal.
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“Just like we used to get as a kid. Delicious!” -Ervin
Easy Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers have always been a family favorite in my house, and using the air fryer makes them so quick and easy to whip up!
This simple air fryer stuffed peppers recipe is loaded with Italian flavors. I’ve taken ground beef and rice, seasoned with herbs and tomato sauce, and placed them into fresh bell peppers. Naturally, I had to top them with plenty of cheese (because I’ll never say no to more cheese).
If you are in a weeknight dinner rut, believe me, this easy recipe is a winner!
Tips for Beginners
- Cut the tops off bell peppers. Make sure your bell peppers fit in the air fryer. I had to cut more of the top off of mine for it to fit correctly. If you want to be absolutely sure they will fit, cut your bell peppers in half. You will have twice as many to cook.
- Balance bell peppers if needed. Make sure that the bell peppers are stable when they are placed in the air fryer. You can use rolled up pieces of foil to help balance them.
- Cook in batches. For best results, the bell peppers shouldn’t be touching in the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.
- No air fryer, no problem! Cook the filling per the recipe, then bake the peppers in the oven at 350°F for 30 to 40 minutes until tender.
Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer (click for my favorite)
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
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain grease and then stir in soy sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt.1 lb. ground beef, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp salt
- Add in cooked rice, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste. Stir thoroughly and cook for 3 minutes.1¾ cups cooked rice, 15 oz. diced tomatoes, 6 oz. tomato paste
- Prepare the bell peppers by cutting off the tops and removing the seeds. Fill the bell peppers with the ground beef mixture and then place in the air fryer. You will most likely have to cook these in two batches.4 whole bell peppers
- Cook in the air fryer for 10 minutes at 360°F.
- Remove from the air fryer, top with mozzarella cheese and chopped parsley, optional and place back in the air fryer for another 3 minutes.1 cup mozzarella cheese, chopped parsley
- Plate and serve.
Becky’s Tips
- This recipe uses ground beef, but you could easily make these with chicken, turkey, or bison. You can even make them vegetarian by using plant-based ‘meat’ crumbles.
- Feel free to change up the cheese and use whatever you have on hand, or a combination of your favorite cheeses.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers Step by Step
Cook the meat: Brown 1 lb. ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain grease and then stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, and ½ tsp salt.
Stir in remaining ingredients: Add 1¾ cups cooked rice, 15 oz. diced tomatoes, and 6 oz. tomato paste. Stir thoroughly and let cook together for 3 minutes.
Stuff the peppers: Prepare the bell peppers by cutting off the tops and removing the seeds. Fill the bell peppers with the ground beef mixture and then place in the air fryer. You will most likely have to cook these in two batches.
Cook the peppers: Cook in the air fryer for 10 minutes at 360°F.
Add the cheese: Remove from the air fryer, top with 1 cup mozzarella cheese and chopped parsley, optional, and place back in the air fryer for another 3 minutes.
Serve and enjoy: Plate and serve.
How to Store
If you want to meal prep these stuffed peppers, you can prepare them and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer, oven, or microwave.
If you don’t have time to prepare the peppers completely, you can just prepare the beef mixture 3-4 days ahead of time and then stuff the peppers and air fry them.
Freeze stuffed peppers for up to 3 months. Let them cool, then wrap in foil and plastic wrap. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
These air fryer stuffed peppers are filled with beef and rice, so I find they are pretty filling on their own, but I’ll often prepare Dutch green beans or asparagus almondine, so we’ve got some green on our plates. You can also serve up oven roasted veggies.
more healthy dinners to try
Our Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers recipe was originally published 9/16/21. It was retested, reworked, and republished to be better than ever 9/19/25.
I absolutely adored this recipe. The flavoured worked perfectly.
Thank you Becky for this wonderful recipe. I was inspired by your story and grateful for your site!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Shelley!
Just like we used to get as a kid.delishious!
Thanks for sharing, Ervin!
Sor.