Air fryer festive stuffed bell peppers are a perfect holiday dish that will wow guests!
Colorful peppers stuffed with seasoned ground beef, rice, onions and garlic, then topped with melty cheese create that festive flair.
The air fryer crisps them perfectly in just 10 minutes at 360°F, much quicker than the oven!
Mediterranean or Mexican variations offer different flavor twists.
These beauties store well too, so they can be prepped ahead for stress-free entertaining throughout the season.
Ingredients
- Bell peppers
- Rice
- Ground beef
- Onion
- Garlic cloves
- Shredded cheese
- Tomato sauce
- Italian seasoning
- Paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
- Olive oil
Additionally, you can create a creamy tuna salad to serve as a delicious side dish with your stuffed bell peppers.
Recommended Tools
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- Air Fryer:
The star of this recipe that cooks stuffed peppers quickly while giving them a nice texture without drying them out. Additionally, using an air fryer can help achieve crispy texture similar to traditional frying methods without excess oil.
- Sharp Knife:
Essential for cleanly slicing off pepper tops and dicing the reserved tops, onions and garlic.
- Skillet:
Used for sautéing the onions, pepper tops and browning the ground beef before stuffing.
- Mixing Bowl:
Helpful for combining the cooked rice, meat mixture and seasonings before stuffing the peppers.
- Aluminum Foil:
Perfect for making small balls to help stand peppers upright in the air fryer basket during cooking.
- Measuring Spoons:
Ensures you add just the right amount of Italian seasoning, paprika and other spices for perfectly flavored stuffed peppers.
- Air Fryer:
Instructions for Air Fryer Festive Stuffed Bell Peppers
Let’s get cooking with these colorful, flavor-packed stuffed peppers! Your air fryer is about to become your new best friend.
Start by slicing the tops off your 4 large bell peppers and removing all those pesky seeds. Don’t toss those tops away! Dice them up and set aside—they’ll add amazing flavor to your filling.
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet and toss in your diced onion and those reserved pepper tops. Sauté until they’re soft and fragrant.
Now add 1 pound of ground beef, breaking it up as it browns. When it’s no longer pink, add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for another minute—your kitchen should smell heavenly by now!
Time to spice things up! Stir in 15 ounces of tomato sauce, 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon of paprika, and salt and pepper to taste.
Let this delicious mixture simmer until it thickens slightly. Mix in 1 cup of cooked rice until everything is well combined.
Grab those hollowed-out peppers and stuff them generously with your meat and rice mixture. Don’t be shy—really pack it in there!
Preheat your air fryer to 360°F, then carefully place your stuffed peppers in the basket. If they’re wobbling, use little foil balls to keep them upright!
Air fry for 10 minutes until the peppers start to soften.
Now for the crowning glory—sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese over the tops and air fry for 2-3 more minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden.
Sprinkle with fresh herbs if you’re feeling fancy, and serve these beautiful stuffed peppers while they’re hot! Your family will think you spent hours in the kitchen!
Pro Tips
If your peppers won’t stand upright in the air fryer basket, create small balls of aluminum foil to place between them, providing stable support and ensuring even cooking throughout each stuffed pepper.
Substitutions & Variations
These air fryer stuffed bell peppers can be easily customized to suit different tastes, dietary needs or seasonal themes while maintaining their delicious appeal.
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- Vegetarian Option: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles, chopped mushrooms, black beans or lentils for a meatless version that’s just as hearty and satisfying.
- Mediterranean Twist: Substitute quinoa for rice, use ground lamb instead of beef and add feta cheese, olives, diced cucumbers and a sprinkle of fresh mint for Greek-inspired peppers.
- Italian Style: Mix in Italian sausage with the ground beef, add diced zucchini, use basil pesto instead of tomato sauce and top with fresh mozzarella and basil leaves.
- Mexican Variation: Incorporate taco seasoning, black beans, corn and jalapeños into the filling, then top with pepper jack cheese and serve with avocado slices and lime wedges.
- Low-Carb Version: Skip the rice and double the protein, or substitute cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly option that maintains the classic texture without the carbs.
Leftovers & Storage Tips
While your delicious stuffed bell peppers might disappear quickly, you’ll be thrilled to know they store exceptionally well for future meals.
Pop cooled leftovers in airtight containers in your fridge for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze them individually wrapped for up to 3 months!
To reheat, zap in the microwave or—my favorite—crisp them back up in the air fryer for 5 minutes.
Enjoy Festive Holiday Flavors
Air Fryer Festive Stuffed Bell Peppers
Colorful bell peppers stuffed with savory ground beef, rice, and cheese, perfectly cooked in an air fryer.
- 4 large red/green bell peppers
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella or a mix)
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Slice tops off peppers; remove seeds. Dice tops and set aside.
- Heat olive oil; sauté onion and diced pepper tops until soft. Add beef, cook until browned. Add garlic, cook 1 min.
- Stir in tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper; simmer until thickened. Add rice, mix well.
- Stuff peppers with mixture.
- Preheat air fryer to 360°F. Air fry peppers for 10 minutes.
- Top with cheese and air fry 2-3 more minutes until melted and bubbly.
