Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers (No Rice)
These air fryer stuffed peppers are filled with seasoned ground beef, salsa, and melted cheese - no rice needed. Everything cooks right in the air fryer, making this an easy, filling dinner that's ready in under 25 minutes.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 371kcal
Ingredients
- 2 large bell peppers, halved with seeds and membranes removed
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey, chicken, or venison)
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade, below)
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
- fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
- sour cream and avocado slices, for serving (optional)
Homemade Taco Seasoning (Optional)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess grease well.
- Stir in the salsa and taco seasoning until evenly combined. Remove from heat.
- Spoon the taco meat mixture into each bell pepper half, gently pressing it in with the back of a spoon.
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking.
- Place the stuffed peppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, until the peppers are fork-tender.
- Sprinkle cheese over each pepper and return to the air fryer for 1-2 minutes, until melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with sour cream, avocado, or your favorite taco toppings.
Notes
- Cook peppers in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.
- Leftovers keep well and reheat quickly, making this recipe great for meal prep.
- To stretch the filling, you can add a can of black beans or drained corn.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Freeze cooked peppers individually, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 371kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 1166mg | Potassium: 798mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 4189IU | Vitamin C: 107mg | Calcium: 256mg | Iron: 4mg
