Irresistible Air Fryer Stuffed Bell Peppers: Family-Friendly Weeknight Meal

Last week, I surprised my family with a colorful tray of stuffed peppers straight from the air fryer, and their eyes lit up with delight. As someone who loves creating quick, customizable, and family-friendly meals, I knew this recipe would be a winner. These irresistible air fryer stuffed bell peppers with rice and ground beef are perfect for busy weeknights, yet elegant enough for special occasions—comfort food made simple.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’re searching for a quick, satisfying meal, these irresistible air fryer stuffed bell peppers are exactly what you need. With tender peppers filled with savory ground beef, fluffy rice, and melted cheese, this recipe brings flavor and comfort to every bite. Perfect for busy weeknights, these air fryer stuffed peppers cook evenly in less time than the oven, giving you juicy, perfectly cooked filling every time. Vegetarian variations with rice or beans are equally delicious, making this recipe versatile for every diet. The combination of easy prep, customizable ingredients, and family-friendly flavors makes air fryer stuffed peppers with rice a go-to dish you’ll want to make again and again. Whether you’re serving for a quick dinner or a special occasion, the irresistible air fryer stuffed bell peppers recipe delivers balanced nutrition and unbeatable taste with minimal effort.

Ingredients for This Recipe

To make these irresistible air fryer stuffed bell peppers, it’s important to choose fresh, colorful bell peppers as the base. They provide a sweet, tender shell that perfectly holds the flavorful filling. The filling combines protein, grains, and vegetables for a balanced, family-friendly meal. Ground beef adds richness, while cooked rice ensures a hearty texture. Onions, carrots, zucchini, and garlic bring sweetness and depth, and spices like paprika, oregano, and chili flakes give a subtle kick. Tomato sauce and shredded cheese tie everything together, creating irresistible air fryer stuffed peppers with rice that are juicy, savory, and perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. You can easily swap ground beef for more rice or beans to make a vegetarian version that’s just as satisfying.

🛒 Ingredients (for 4 stuffed peppers):

For the Peppers:

4 large bell peppers (any color)
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Filling:

1 lb (450g) ground beef (or 1 ½ cups cooked rice for vegetarian version)
1 cup cooked rice
½ cup diced onions
1 small carrot, finely diced
1 small zucchini, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste
½ cup tomato sauce
½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend)

How to Make This Recipe

Making irresistible air fryer stuffed bell peppers is easier than you might think. Each ingredient works together to create a perfectly balanced, flavorful dish. Fresh bell peppers serve as a tender, sweet vessel for the hearty filling. Ground beef and rice provide protein and substance, while diced vegetables like onions, carrots, and zucchini add color, nutrition, and texture. Garlic, paprika, oregano, and chili flakes enhance the savory depth of the filling. Tomato sauce keeps the stuffing moist, and shredded cheese melts on top, giving your air fryer stuffed peppers with rice a rich, gooey finish. Using an air fryer saves time, cooks the peppers evenly, and gives you juicy, tender results faster than an oven. Whether you’re making stuffed peppers air fryer time-efficient for weeknights or creating a colorful dinner for special occasions, this recipe delivers unbeatable flavor.

🛒 Steps:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (182°C).
2. Wash the bell peppers, remove the tops, and clear out seeds and membranes. Brush with olive oil and season lightly.
3. In a skillet, sauté onions, carrots, and zucchini until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
4. Add ground beef and cook until browned, then stir in cooked rice, tomato sauce, paprika, oregano, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
5. Spoon the filling into each pepper, pressing lightly, and top with shredded cheese.
6. Place stuffed peppers upright in the air fryer basket. Cook for 12–18 minutes until peppers are tender and cheese is golden.
7. Let cool 2–3 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Expert Cooking Tips

Creating irresistible air fryer stuffed bell peppers is all about understanding how each ingredient contributes to the final flavor and texture. Fresh bell peppers should be firm and colorful to hold the filling without collapsing. Ground beef and rice provide a hearty base, while diced vegetables like onions, carrots, and zucchini add moisture and crunch. Garlic, paprika, oregano, and chili flakes boost the savory flavor, and tomato sauce keeps the stuffing juicy. Topping with shredded cheese ensures the air fryer stuffed peppers with rice have a golden, melty finish. Paying attention to air fryer temperature and cooking time guarantees tender, perfectly cooked stuffed peppers every time, making this recipe quick, family-friendly, and customizable.

💡 Expert Tips:

• Choose firm, evenly sized bell peppers for uniform cooking.
• Sauté vegetables first to bring out their sweetness and flavor.
• Pre-cook ground beef for a consistent, fully cooked filling.
• Adjust stuffed peppers air fryer time based on size for tender results.
• For vegetarian stuffed peppers with rice, add beans or extra veggies for protein.
• Sprinkle cheese on top at the end for perfectly melted, golden toppings.
• Use a Ninja air fryer or similar for even heat distribution and juicy peppers.

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These irresistible air fryer stuffed bell peppers are a quick, family-friendly, and customizable meal that brings flavor, color, and nutrition to your table. With tender bell peppers filled with savory ground beef, rice, vegetables, and melted cheese, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. Using the air fryer saves time while delivering juicy, evenly cooked stuffed peppers with rice every time. Try variations with vegetarian fillings or different cheeses to make this dish your own, and enjoy a simple, delicious, and crowd-pleasing dinner that everyone will love.

Irresistible Air Fryer Stuffed Bell Peppers

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• Author: Savannah
• Total Time: ~30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Tender bell peppers filled with a savory mix of ground beef, rice, vegetables, and spices, cooked to perfection in the air fryer. Quick, healthy, and flavorful—perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep! Vegetarian variations are just as delicious when using rice and veggies instead of meat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

🛒 Ingredients (for 4 stuffed peppers):

For the Peppers:

• 4 large bell peppers (any color)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Filling:

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or 1 ½ cups cooked rice for vegetarian version)

• 1 cup cooked rice

• ½ cup diced onions

• 1 small carrot, finely diced

• 1 small zucchini, finely diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• ½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• ½ cup tomato sauce

• ½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend)

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Instructions

📝 Instructions:

Step 1: Prep the Peppers

• Wash and cut the tops off the peppers. Remove seeds and membranes.

• Brush peppers lightly with olive oil and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Step 2: Make the Filling

• Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook onions, carrots, and zucchini for 3–4 minutes until slightly softened.

• Add garlic, cook 1 minute.

• For meat version: add ground beef, cook until browned.

• Stir in cooked rice, tomato sauce, paprika, oregano, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Mix well.

Step 3: Stuff the Peppers

• Spoon filling into each pepper, pressing lightly to pack it. Top with shredded cheese.

Step 4: Cook in Air Fryer

• Preheat air fryer to 360°F (182°C).

• Place peppers upright in the basket. Cook for 12–18 minutes until peppers are tender and cheese is melted and golden.

Step 5: Serve

• Let peppers cool 2–3 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

• Vegetarian Option: Use beans or extra veggies instead of beef.
• Ninja Air Fryer Tip: Cook at 365°F for 15 minutes for extra crisp edges.
• Cheese Variations: Try pepper jack or feta for a twist.
• Make Ahead: Prepare filling the night before and air fry when ready.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Main Dish / Air Fryer Recipe
• Method: Air Fry / Stuffed / Quick
• Cuisine: American / Healthy