I didn’t grow up knowing how to cook like, at all. And now I’ve got three kids asking “what’s for dinner?” like it’s my full-time job. Some nights, I crush it. Other nights, I burn toast. But lately? I’ve been totally obsessed with air frying stuff because it’s fast, doesn’t heat up the whole house, and honestly… I just throw stuff in there and hope for the best.

That’s where these Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers come in. It’s one of those Air Fryer Recipes that looks fancy but takes almost no brain power, which is perfect because I swear I lose brain cells every time someone yells “MOMMMM!” from the other room. I started out just making the Easy Stuffed Pepper Recipe I found on Pinterest, then turned it into my own lil version. Now I’ve got a go-to for busy nights, picky eaters, and random leftover rice situations.

I’ve tried all kinds—Air Fry Stuffed Bell Peppers, Stuffed Bell Peppers Air Fryer, even a spicy Stuffed Hot Peppers version that only I eat because the kids said it “burns their tongue.” And yeah, I’ve made them in the regular oven before, but the Air Fryer Oven Recipes just hit different. Plus, cleanup’s easier, which is a win ’cause the sink’s already full of sippy cups and mystery spoons.

These peppers are my new fave for Air Fryer Dinner Recipes. They’re super customizable and you can basically use whatever’s in your fridge. We’re talking Airfryer Peppers filled with taco meat, rice, cheese—literally whatever. It’s become one of my go-to Air Fry Recipes, especially when I’m running low on time, energy, or both (which is always).

So if you’re looking for Easy Stuffed Peppers, or you’re new to Cooking Stuffed Peppers in general, don’t stress. This one’s easy, beginner-friendly, and kid-approved… most of the time. And if not, well… there’s always nuggets.

What You Need (aka the stuff I always forget to restock)

  • 4 bell peppers (whatever color isn’t looking sad in the fridge)
  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey (or plant-based if that’s your vibe)
  • 1 cup cooked rice (leftover rice works perfectly)
  • 1/2 onion, chopped small
  • 1/2 cup marinara or tomato sauce
  • 1 tsp garlic powder (or a little more, I don’t measure)
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (whatever you’ve got)
  • Spray oil for the air fryer basket

Why I Keep Making These

Because they look way fancier than they are. I can throw them together in 20 minutes, sneak in leftovers, and the kids eat them without a full-blown negotiation. Plus, it feels like a real meal with basically zero effort. And zero dishes if I use paper plates. Not kidding.


Step 1: Chop the Peppers

Cut off the tops of your bell peppers and scoop out the seeds. If they’re wobbling, slice a tiny bit off the bottom to make them stand up. Mine are never perfect. That’s fine. They still get eaten.


Step 2: Cook the Meat

In a skillet, cook the onion for a few minutes until it smells amazing. Then add the ground beef or turkey and cook until it’s browned. Drain the grease if you want to avoid a greasy pepper moment.


Step 3: Mix Up the Filling

Add the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, tomato sauce, and rice into the meat. Stir it up so it all comes together. Let it hang out on low heat for a few minutes while you chase someone down to put pants on.


Step 4: Stuff the Peppers

Take your hollowed-out peppers and pack them with the meat and rice filling. Really stuff it in there. Then top with shredded cheese. If the cheese falls all over the place, just shove it back in. It’s fine.


Step 5: Into the Air Fryer

Spray the air fryer basket lightly with oil. Gently place your stuffed peppers inside. Set your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for about 12 to 15 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the cheese is melty and the peppers are a little soft.


Step 6: Serve and Survive Dinner

Take the peppers out carefully, they’re hot and slippery. Serve with extra sauce, ranch, sour cream, or just by themselves. Whatever gets food on the table fastest.


A Little Mom Truth

These stuffed peppers are in my dinner rotation because they just work. They’re easy, they don’t mess up the whole kitchen, and they make me feel like I’ve got my life a little bit together. Even when I absolutely do not.

I’ve made these with leftover taco meat, quinoa, even mac and cheese once. The kids didn’t notice. And honestly, I call that a success.

FAQs (a.k.a. Questions I’ve 100% Googled at 5pm with hungry kids)

Do I need to pre-cook the peppers before stuffing them?

Nope. That’s the magic of air frying. The peppers get soft and hold their shape in the air fryer, so no boiling drama needed. Just cut, clean, stuff, and toss ’em in.

Can I use raw rice inside the peppers?

Honestly… no. That rice will not cook right in the air fryer and you’ll end up with crunchy weirdness. Use cooked rice or leftovers. Minute rice works too. We don’t judge here.

How long do I cook stuffed peppers in the air fryer?

Usually around 12 to 15 minutes at 360°F. If you want ‘em extra soft or your air fryer’s kinda moody, give it a few extra mins. You’re aiming for melty cheese and slightly soft peppers.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yep. I’ve totally made these in the morning while the kids were distracted by cereal. Just wrap ’em up, stick ‘em in the fridge, then pop in the air fryer when it’s go time. Dinner = done.

Can I freeze air fryer stuffed peppers?

Yup. Stuff ’em, freeze ’em (before or after air frying). Reheat them straight from frozen in the air fryer—just add a few extra minutes. Perfect for nights when everything’s chaos.

Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers Recipe Card

Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers Recipe

These air fryer stuffed peppers are the ultimate mom hack. Easy, filling, and made with whatever leftovers you’ve got in the fridge. They’re part of my weekly air fryer recipes rotation—great for picky eaters, last-minute dinners, and when I need to look like I tried (even if I didn’t). A win for air frying and my sanity.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 13 minutes
Servings 4 peppers

Ingredients
  

  • 4 bell peppers any color
  • 1 cup cooked rice or quinoa, couscous, whatever’s in the fridge
  • 1 cup cooked ground beef chicken, or beans
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce or salsa
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • Salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup shredded cheese cheddar, mozzarella, etc.

Instructions
 

Prep the peppers

  • Slice the tops off your bell peppers, scoop out seeds, and trim the bottoms if they’re wobbly. You want them to stand up like little veggie cups.

Mix the filling

  • In a big bowl, mix the cooked rice, protein, sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in half the cheese.

Stuff the peppers

  • Spoon the filling into each pepper, pack it in nice and tight. Top with the rest of the cheese.

Air fry

  • Place stuffed peppers in your air fryer basket. Don’t cram them—space is key. Air fry at 360°F for 12–15 minutes or until cheese is melty and peppers are soft-ish.

Serve and devour

  • Let them cool for a few minutes, then serve with sour cream, ranch, or whatever sauce your kids won’t cry over.

Notes

Want to make it spicier? Add some jalapeños or hot sauce to the mix. Got leftover spaghetti sauce? Use that instead of salsa. This recipe is vibes only—do what works.

Whether you’re using a big fancy model or a mini one from Target, these air fryer recipes easy enough for literally anyone. If you’re just learning how to start cooking stuffed peppers or if you’re already deep in your air fryer dinner recipes obsession (hi, same), this one just works. It’s like the comfort food version of “I tried, but not too hard.”

I’ve done it all—stuffed bell peppers air fryer, stuffed pepper air fryer recipe, air fry stuffed bell peppers, and even some super spicy stuffed hot peppers I wouldn’t recommend if your kids still think ketchup is spicy. Doesn’t matter how ya stuff ‘em, as long as you get them peppers in air fryer, hit start, and boom. Dinner.

Also, don’t forget this fits in with basically every type of air fry recipes, air fryer recipes, or even air fryer oven recipes if that’s what you’re rocking. These are def going in my “mom go-to” list along with chicken nuggets, frozen waffles, and hiding in the bathroom for 3 minutes of peace.

So yeah. Bookmark it, pin it, scribble it on a sticky note—whatever works. This easy stuffed pepper recipe is low-stress, fast, and makes you look like you’ve got your life together. Even when your toddler is wearing one shoe and your coffee is cold again.

From one tired mama to another… these airfryer stuffed peppers got you. Now go eat before someone needs a snack five seconds after dinner.

Let me know how yours turned out, or if you made up your own version. I love hearing how other mamas twist these stuffed peppers air fryer recipes to make it work in real life.

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