Air Fryer Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers (Printable)
Colorful mini peppers filled with creamy cheese blend, air-fried to perfection in just 25 minutes.
# Ingredient List:
→ Vegetables
01 - 16 mini sweet peppers (about 1 lb), halved and seeded
→ Cheese Filling
02 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
03 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
04 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
06 - 1 garlic clove, minced
07 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Optional Garnish
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
12 - Pinch of smoked paprika or red pepper flakes
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for 3 minutes to ensure proper cooking temperature.
02 - In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar, Parmesan, chives, garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Mix until completely smooth and evenly incorporated.
03 - Fill each mini pepper half generously with the cream cheese mixture, using a spoon to smooth and level the filling tops for even cooking.
04 - Arrange the stuffed peppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the peppers are tender and the filling tops are lightly golden brown.
05 - Carefully remove the basket from the air fryer. Allow peppers to cool for 2-3 minutes before transferring to a serving platter to prevent burning.
06 - Sprinkle with fresh parsley and a pinch of smoked paprika or red pepper flakes if desired. Serve while warm for optimal texture and flavor.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- The air fryer makes these incredibly fast without heating up your whole kitchen
- That creamy filling with a hint of smoke makes them disappear from plates embarrassingly fast
02 -
- Cramming too many peppers into the basket means uneven cooking, so work in batches if needed
- The filling stays hot way longer than the pepper skin, so that cooling time is non negotiable
03 -
- Wear gloves when handling hot peppers if you have sensitive skin
- A small cookie scoop makes filling these way less messy than using spoons