Olivia Carter
If you’re a fan of stuffed peppers, you’re in for a treat. This recipe will show you how to make delicious stuffed peppers in the air fryer. The air fryer is a kitchen appliance that uses hot air to cook food, making it a healthier alternative to deep frying. With the air fryer, you can achieve crispy and perfectly cooked stuffed peppers without the need for excessive oil.
Stuffed peppers are a versatile dish that can be filled with a variety of ingredients. In this recipe, we’ll be using a combination of ground beef, rice, onions, and tomatoes for a hearty and flavorful filling. The peppers themselves will be air-fried until they are tender and slightly charred, adding a smoky flavor to the dish.
To make these stuffed peppers, you’ll need to prep the peppers by cutting off the tops and removing the seeds. Then, you’ll cook the ground beef and onions until browned, before adding in the rice, tomatoes, and seasonings. Stuff the mixture into the peppers and place them in the air fryer for a quick and easy cooking process.
The air fryer ensures that the peppers cook evenly and quickly, while still maintaining their shape and texture. The high heat of the air fryer will create a delicious, caramelized exterior on the peppers, adding an extra depth of flavor. The result is a dish that is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a filling that is packed with flavor.
So, if you’re looking for a healthier and easier way to make stuffed peppers, give this air fryer recipe a try. You won’t be disappointed with the delicious results!
Prepare the Ingredients
Before you start making your stuffed peppers in the air fryer, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 4 large bell peppers (any color)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- Optional toppings: chopped fresh parsley, grated Parmesan cheese
Make sure to wash and dry the bell peppers before using them. You can choose any color you like or even mix and match for a colorful presentation.
Precook the rice before starting the recipe, as the air fryer won’t have enough time to fully cook it. You can use leftover rice or cook some specifically for this recipe.
Dice the onion and mince the garlic. You can adjust the amount of garlic according to your preference.
Shred the mozzarella cheese and set it aside. You can use any type of cheese you prefer, but mozzarella works great with this recipe.
Finally, measure out the marinara sauce and keep it handy for stuffing the peppers.
Gather the Necessary Items and Ingredients
Before you start making stuffed peppers in the air fryer, it’s important to gather all the necessary items and ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Air fryer
- Peppers (any color you prefer)
- Ground meat (beef, turkey, or chicken)
- Onion
- Garlic
- Tomato sauce
- Cooked rice
- Shredded cheese
- Seasonings (such as salt, pepper, paprika)
- Olive oil
- Non-stick cooking spray
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon or spatula
- Baking dish or tray
- Measuring cups and spoons
Once you have everything ready, you can proceed to the next steps of preparing and cooking the stuffed peppers in the air fryer.
Prepare the Peppers
Before you can start making stuffed peppers in the air fryer, you need to prepare the peppers themselves. Here’s how:
- Start by selecting fresh bell peppers that are firm and have smooth skins. Choose peppers that are a size appropriate for stuffing and fit comfortably in your air fryer basket.
- Wash the peppers under cold running water to remove any dirt or residue. Gently pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
- Next, use a sharp knife to carefully cut off the top portion of each pepper. Set aside the tops as they can be used later for presentation.
- Remove the seeds and white pith from inside the peppers. You can use a spoon or your fingers to gently scrape them out.
- Once the peppers are cleaned out, rinse them again to remove any remaining seeds or pith.
- If desired, you can blanch the peppers in boiling water for a few minutes to soften them slightly. This step is optional and can be skipped if you prefer a firmer texture.
- After blanching or skipping that step, pat the peppers dry once more before filling them with your preferred stuffing mixture.
Now that your peppers are prepared, they are ready to be filled with a delicious stuffing and cooked in the air fryer.
Cut and Clean the Peppers
Before you can stuff the peppers, you’ll need to prepare them by cutting and cleaning them:
- Start by selecting fresh bell peppers. Look for ones that are firm and have a vibrant color.
- Rinse the peppers under cool water to remove any dirt or debris.
- Using a sharp knife, carefully cut off the tops of the peppers. Set the tops aside as they can be used as a lid later.
- Remove the seeds and white membranes from the inside of the peppers. You can use a spoon or your hands to gently scoop them out.
- Rinse the peppers again to ensure all the seeds and membranes are completely removed.
- Place the cleaned peppers on a paper towel to dry.
Now that your peppers are cut and cleaned, they are ready to be stuffed with delicious fillings and cooked in the air fryer!
Make the Filling
To make the filling for the stuffed peppers, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
First, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is softened.
Next, drain any excess fat from the skillet and add the cooked rice, diced tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together until well combined.
Let the filling cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Variations
If you prefer a vegetarian version of stuffed peppers, you can substitute the ground beef with cooked lentils or your favorite meat alternative.
To add some extra flavor to the filling, you can also add grated cheese, such as cheddar or mozzarella, before stuffing the peppers.
Mix the Ingredients for the Filling
Before you start preparing the filling for the stuffed peppers, gather all the necessary ingredients. You will need 1 pound of ground beef, 1 cup of cooked rice, 1 small onion (finely chopped), 1 garlic clove (minced), 1/2 cup of diced tomatoes, 1/4 cup of tomato sauce, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of dried basil, salt, and pepper to taste.
Once you have all the ingredients ready, it’s time to mix them together. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Use your hands or a spoon to thoroughly mix everything together, ensuring that all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
As you mix, make sure the ground beef is fully incorporated with the other ingredients. This will ensure that each bite of the stuffed peppers has a delicious combination of flavors. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty in the process!
Once the filling is well mixed, set it aside and move on to preparing the peppers for stuffing.
FAQ
What ingredients do I need to make stuffed peppers in the air fryer?
To make stuffed peppers in the air fryer, you will need bell peppers, ground meat of your choice, cooked rice, onion, garlic, tomato sauce, cheese, and seasonings like salt, pepper, and herbs.
Can I use any type of ground meat for stuffed peppers?
Yes, you can use any type of ground meat for stuffed peppers. Popular options include beef, turkey, and chicken. You can choose based on your preference and dietary restrictions.
