Air Fryer Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers Recipe
Delicious Air Fryer Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers feature sweet mini peppers filled with a creamy blend of softened cream cheese, mozzarella, green onions, and spices. Quick to prepare and baked to perfection in an air fryer, these bite-sized appetizers are creamy, cheesy, and have a subtle kick from optional sriracha.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Total Time: 31 minutes
- Yield: 24 stuffed mini pepper halves
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Peppers
- 1 bag mini sweet peppers (14 peppers, cut lengthwise and seeded)
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil
Cream Cheese Filling
- 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- 2/3 cup mozzarella cheese (or cheddar cheese), grated
- 2 stalks green onion, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling: Add softened cream cheese, grated mozzarella cheese, finely chopped green onions, garlic powder, salt, and sriracha (if using) to a mixing bowl. Stir well until all ingredients are evenly combined. For easier mixing, use an electric hand mixer or stand mixer.
- Prepare the Peppers: Slice the tops off the mini sweet peppers and cut each pepper in half lengthwise. Remove any remaining seeds to create a hollow cavity for the filling.
- Coat the Peppers with Oil: Drizzle the avocado oil over the cut peppers. Use your hands to gently toss the peppers until they are lightly coated with oil, which will help them roast nicely in the air fryer.
- Stuff the Peppers: Carefully spoon the cream cheese filling into each pepper half, ensuring they are well filled but not overflowing.
- Air Fry the Peppers: Place about 6 stuffed peppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Select the Bake setting (not Air Fry), set the temperature to 360°F, and cook for 8 minutes. This will gently melt the cheese filling and roast the peppers.
- Serve: After baking, carefully remove the peppers from the air fryer and transfer to a serving plate. Repeat the baking process with the remaining stuffed peppers until all are cooked and ready to enjoy.
Notes
- You can substitute cheddar cheese for mozzarella based on preference.
- Sriracha is optional and can be adjusted or omitted for less spice.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easier mixing.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches for even cooking.
- Use the Bake setting on the air fryer as directed, not the Air Fry setting, to prevent over-browning.
