You know those nights when you’re staring into the fridge, hoping dinner will magically appear? That’s exactly how I stumbled upon these air fryer ground beef stuffed peppers – and wow, did they save the day! In just 30 minutes, you get juicy beef, tender peppers, and melty cheese all in one perfect bite. My kids actually cheer when I make these now (a miracle, I know). What I love most is how the air fryer crisps up the edges while keeping everything inside moist. Plus, it’s a sneaky way to get veggies into picky eaters without the drama!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Ground Beef & Stuffed Peppers
Trust me, these stuffed peppers are about to become your new weeknight hero. Here’s why:
- Crazy fast: From fridge to table in 30 minutes flat – even faster than takeout!
- Healthyish: Packed with protein and veggies, but still feels indulgent.
- No mess: One skillet for the beef, straight to the air fryer – goodbye, pile of dishes.
- Your rules: Swap the rice for quinoa, use turkey instead of beef, or go wild with cheeses.
I make these at least twice a month – they’re that good and that easy.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Ground Beef & Stuffed Peppers
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these beauties – I’ve learned the hard way that having everything prepped makes this recipe fly by:
- 1 lb lean ground beef (90/10): The slight fat keeps things juicy without being greasy
- 4 bell peppers: Halved lengthwise with seeds and membranes removed (any color works!)
- 1/2 cup cooked rice: Pack it lightly when measuring – leftover rice works great
- 1/2 cup finely diced onion: I like yellow for sweetness, but white works too
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes: Fresh or canned (if using canned, drain them well)
- 1/4 cup shredded cheese: Cheddar’s my go-to, but pepper jack adds nice heat
- Seasonings: 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper
Ingredient Substitutions & Notes
This recipe is seriously flexible – here’s how I’ve tweaked it over the years:
- Rice alternatives: Quinoa or riced cauliflower work beautifully (just squeeze out excess moisture)
- Protein swaps: Ground turkey or chicken are great lighter options
- Cheese options: Dairy-free shreds melt surprisingly well if needed
- Watch out for: Super watery veggies (looking at you, zucchini) – they’ll make the filling soggy
- Pro tip: If your tomatoes seem extra juicy, give them a quick pat with paper towels
Equipment Needed for Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
You’ll only need three trusty tools for these peppers:
- Air fryer (basket style works best for even cooking)
- Skillet for browning that beef
- Mixing bowl to combine your filling
That’s it – simple as can be!
How to Make Air Fryer Ground Beef & Stuffed Peppers
Ready for the easiest stuffed peppers of your life? Grab your ingredients and let’s do this! The air fryer works its magic here, giving you crispy-edged peppers with perfectly cooked filling in no time. Just follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Prep the Peppers & Beef
First things first – get that air fryer preheating to 375°F (190°C) while you prep. Trust me, this makes all the difference for even cooking! Halve your bell peppers lengthwise and scoop out all the seeds and white membranes – I find a melon baller works great for this. For the beef, cook it in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it up into small crumbles as it browns. Keep going until there’s absolutely no pink left – about 5-7 minutes should do it.
Step 2: Mix Filling & Stuff
Now for the fun part! In a large bowl, mix your browned beef with the rice, onions, tomatoes, and all those yummy seasonings. Here’s my secret: fold in the cheese last so it doesn’t melt prematurely and clump up. When stuffing the peppers, really pack that filling in there – I use the back of a spoon to press it down firmly. Don’t be shy! This helps everything hold together beautifully when you bite into it later.
Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection
Carefully arrange your stuffed peppers in the air fryer basket – don’t overcrowd them or they won’t cook evenly. Give them about 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket gently halfway through if needed. You’ll know they’re done when the pepper skins get those gorgeous blistered spots and the cheese is all melty and bubbly. Pro tip: let them rest for 2 minutes before serving – I know it’s hard to wait, but this helps the filling set up perfectly!
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
After making these dozens of times (yes, my family’s obsessed), here are my foolproof tricks for pepper perfection:
- Dry that beef: After browning, pat it with paper towels to soak up excess grease – keeps your filling from getting soggy
- Parchment power: Cut a round of parchment to fit your air fryer basket – no sticking and easy cleanup!
- Rest time matters: Let peppers sit 2 minutes after cooking – the filling firms up just right
- Size check: Pick peppers that fit snugly in your air fryer – too big and they’ll cook unevenly
- Cheese hack: Sprinkle a little extra on top during the last 3 minutes for that golden bubbly crust
These little tweaks make all the difference between good peppers and “wow, can we have these tomorrow too?” peppers!
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Ground Beef Peppers
These stuffed peppers are fantastic on their own, but here’s how I like to jazz them up for a complete meal:
- Cool contrast: A simple side salad with lemon vinaigrette cuts through the richness perfectly
- Creamy touch: Dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt adds lovely tang
- Crunch factor: Sprinkle with crushed tortilla chips for that satisfying bite
- Quick upgrade: Drizzle with sriracha or your favorite hot sauce for heat lovers
Honestly? They’re pretty amazing straight out of the air fryer too – no sides needed!
Storing & Reheating Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
If by some miracle you have leftovers (we rarely do!), here’s how to keep them tasting fresh. Pop them in an airtight container – they’ll keep in the fridge for about 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, skip the microwave! Toss them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes. It brings back that perfect crispness better than any other reheating method. My kids swear they taste even better the next day – the flavors have more time to mingle and get extra delicious!
FAQ: Air Fryer Ground Beef & Stuffed Peppers
Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are the most common things people ask me about these stuffed peppers:
- “Can I freeze these?” Absolutely! Freeze them before air frying – just assemble the peppers, wrap tightly, and freeze. When ready, cook from frozen (add 5 extra minutes).
- “Can I use frozen peppers?” You can, but thaw them first. Frozen peppers release too much water and turn mushy.
- “Why are my peppers soggy?” Usually from overstuffing or wet filling. Pat your beef dry and don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket – steam needs room to escape!
- “Can I make these vegetarian?” Sure! Swap the beef for mushrooms or lentils – just reduce any added liquid.
- “No air fryer?” Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes instead. They’ll still be delicious!
Still stumped? Drop me a comment – I’m happy to help troubleshoot!
Nutritional Information
Just a heads up – these numbers can vary depending on your exact ingredients. My estimates use lean beef and white rice as the base. Each stuffed pepper half comes in around 250 calories, with a good balance of protein and veggies. Not bad for something that tastes this indulgent!
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30-Minute Air Fryer Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers Recipe
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
A simple and healthy recipe for stuffed peppers made with ground beef and cooked in an air fryer.
Ingredients
- 4 bell peppers, halved and seeds removed
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup cooked rice
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup shredded cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces.
- Add onion, tomatoes, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook until onions soften.
- Mix in cooked rice and shredded cheese.
- Spoon the mixture into the bell pepper halves.
- Place stuffed peppers in the air fryer basket and cook for 12-15 minutes until peppers are tender.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef for a healthier option.
- Can substitute rice with quinoa or cauliflower rice.
- Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American