Air Fryer Stuffed Bell Peppers

Name: Air Fryer Stuffed Bell Peppers
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Ingredients: 3 large bell peppers; 1 lb ground beef; 1/2 small white onion, diced; 1 bag riced cauliflower; 2 tbsp minced garlic; 1 cup mozzarella cheese; 2 cups low carb crushed tomatoes; 2 tbsp avocado oil; Tony’s Creole seasoning; onion powder; garlic powder; black pepper

Stuffed bell peppers hit different when the filling is loaded with beef, garlic, tomatoes, and melty cheese instead of being bland and boring.

These peppers are packed with a low carb filling made from ground beef, riced cauliflower, onion, minced garlic, crushed tomatoes, and bold seasonings. The cauliflower rice keeps everything hearty without needing regular rice, and it soaks up the flavor from the beef, garlic, tomatoes, and Tony’s Creole seasoning.

The air fryer makes the peppers tender fast while still keeping them from turning mushy. Once the filling is hot and the peppers soften, mozzarella goes on top for that melted cheesy finish that pulls everything together.

It is a simple low carb dinner that still feels filling, saucy, cheesy, and satisfying enough to actually look forward to eating.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Low carb stuffed peppers that still taste hearty and filling.
Made with ground beef, cauliflower rice, tomatoes, garlic, and cheese.
Air fryer cooking makes the peppers tender fast.
Bold seasonings keep the filling from tasting plain.
Great dinner option when you want something cheesy, saucy, and lighter than traditional stuffed peppers.

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Ingredients

The filling starts with onion, minced garlic, riced cauliflower, and ground beef cooked together in a skillet with Tony’s Creole seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. Crushed tomatoes are added after the beef cooks so the mixture can simmer down into a thick saucy filling.

The bell peppers are hollowed out, packed with the beef and cauliflower mixture, then cooked in the air fryer until tender. Mozzarella cheese is added at the end so it melts over the top without overcooking.

3 large bell peppers
1 lb ground beef
1/2 small white onion, diced
1 bag riced cauliflower, microwaved for about 3 minutes
2 tbsp minced garlic
1 cup mozzarella cheese
2 cups low carb crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp avocado oil
Tony’s Creole seasoning, to taste
Onion powder, to taste
Garlic powder, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

How To Make Air Fryer Stuffed Bell Peppers

Step 1: Prep Bell Peppers

Cut the tops off the bell peppers, then remove the core and seeds.

Step 2: Cook Onion and Garlic

Add the avocado oil to a skillet, then add the diced onion and minced garlic. Let everything cook down for about 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 3: Add Cauliflower Rice and Beef

Add the microwaved riced cauliflower and ground beef to the skillet. Season with Tony’s Creole seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper.

Step 4: Cook Filling

Cook everything together until the ground beef is fully cooked and the cauliflower rice is mixed evenly into the filling.

Step 5: Add Crushed Tomatoes

Add the crushed tomatoes to the skillet and bring everything to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer until the filling thickens.

Step 6: Stuff Peppers

Add the filling into the hollowed bell peppers.

Step 7: Air Fry

Place the stuffed bell peppers in the air fryer and cook at 385°F for 10 minutes.

Step 8: Add Cheese

Top the stuffed peppers with mozzarella cheese and air fry for 2 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

Step 9: Rest and Serve

Let the stuffed peppers rest for a few minutes, then serve and enjoy.

Recipe Variations

Swap the ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken if you want a lighter version. The seasonings and crushed tomatoes will still give the filling plenty of flavor.
Use pepper jack cheese instead of mozzarella if you want a little heat. It melts well and adds a spicy kick without changing the recipe too much.
Add chopped jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes to the filling for a spicier stuffed pepper. The heat pairs well with the Tony’s Creole seasoning and tomato sauce.
Mix in cooked bacon for a smoky low carb version. The bacon adds texture and makes the filling taste even richer.
Top the finished peppers with sour cream, parsley, or green onions before serving. A fresh topping helps balance the rich beef and cheese filling.

Tips for Success

Microwaving the riced cauliflower before adding it to the skillet helps remove excess moisture and keeps the filling from getting watery.
Let the tomato mixture simmer until thickened so the peppers do not fill up with thin liquid after cooking.
Use peppers that are similar in size so they cook evenly in the air fryer.
Do not overfill the peppers too much or the filling can spill over while they cook.
Add the mozzarella at the end so it melts without burning before the peppers are tender.
Let the peppers rest before serving so the filling sets slightly and is easier to eat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these stuffed bell peppers ahead of time?

Yes, the filling can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to stuff and cook the peppers. You can also fully assemble the peppers ahead of time, then air fry them when you are ready to eat. If cooking from cold, they may need a couple extra minutes in the air fryer.

Can I use regular rice instead of cauliflower rice?

Yes, cooked regular rice can be used if you are not trying to keep the recipe low carb. The texture will be closer to traditional stuffed peppers and the filling will be a little heavier. Just make sure the rice is already cooked before mixing it into the beef filling.

What color bell peppers work best?

Any color bell pepper will work for this recipe. Green peppers have a stronger, slightly more bitter flavor, while red, yellow, and orange peppers are sweeter. Use whichever ones you like best or mix colors for a better-looking finished dish.

Can I bake these instead of air frying?

Yes, these stuffed peppers can be baked if you do not want to use the air fryer. Place them in a baking dish and bake at 375°F until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted. The oven will usually take longer than the air fryer.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the microwave, oven, or air fryer until warmed through. The filling may thicken as it sits, but it reheats well.

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Air Fryer Stuffed Bell Peppers

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Low carb stuffed bell peppers filled with seasoned ground beef, riced cauliflower, garlic, onion, crushed tomatoes, and melted mozzarella cheese.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Servings: 3 servings

Ingredients Method Video

Ingredients

3 large bell peppers
1 lb ground beef
1/2 small white onion, diced
1 bag riced cauliflower
2 tbsp minced garlic
1 cup mozzarella cheese
2 cups low carb crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp avocado oil
Tony’s Creole seasoning
onion powder
garlic powder
black pepper

Method

Cut the tops off the bell peppers, then remove the core and seeds.
Add avocado oil to a skillet, then add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes until the onion and garlic start to soften.
Add the microwaved riced cauliflower and ground beef to the skillet. Season with Tony’s Creole seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Cook everything together until the ground beef is fully cooked and the cauliflower rice is mixed evenly into the filling.
Add the crushed tomatoes and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer until thickened.
Spoon the beef and cauliflower filling into the hollowed bell peppers.
Place the stuffed peppers in the air fryer and cook at 385°F for 10 minutes.
Top the peppers with mozzarella cheese and air fry for 2 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
Let the stuffed peppers rest for a few minutes, then serve and enjoy.

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Hey, I'm Scotty

What started as just messing around in the kitchen and posting recipes online quickly turned into something way bigger than I ever expected. At first, it was just a side hustle—sharing simple, easy meals that anyone could make without overthinking it.