These Vegetarian Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers are the perfect 30 minute meal! Tender bell peppers packed with plant based protein, cheese and vegetables they're so good the whole family will enjoy them.
Stuffed peppers make the perfect addition to your weekly dinner rotation. Not only will they impress the whole family, but they also are super tasty and packed with nutrients and are SO easy to make! They're a food I grew up eating, the only problem was they took almost 45 minutes to cook. So after we got an air fryer I decided I wanted to try to see if we could decrease that cooking time... and I did! So now, all you need is 30 minutes (total!) and you'll have the perfect plant based weeknight meal.
If you don't know my love of the air fryer by now- let me just quickly explain why I love it. The air fryer is my secret weapon to making perfect recipes in half the time! It makes perfectly cooked vegetables- like brussel sprouts or asparagus. It is also perfect for a quick and easy 10 minute breakfast like this air fryer breakfast cookie. I just love how versatile it is! It's the perfect, non-intimidating appliance for anyone who wants to get into the kitchen more (and it's great for college/university students).
Why This Recipe Is Dietitian Approved
- Vegetarian option perfect for meatless Monday. A satisfying, plant-based meal made with lentils, grains, and veggies that keeps you full without needing meat.
- Good source of fiber. Packed with lentils, veggies, and whole grains to support digestion and help keep you feeling full longer.
- Quick weeknight option. Simple ingredients, minimal prep, and the air fryer does most of the work.
Vegetarian Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Ingredients
Bell peppers. Any colour works! I love red, but choose large peppers that can stand upright for easy stuffing. If needed, slice a thin layer off the bottom to level them.
Lentils. Canned lentils are my go-to for convenience (look for low sodium). Cooked dried lentils work too!
Cheese. I like cheddar or marble for flavor, but any cheese works!
Italian seasoning. The only seasoning you need! Easy and adds great flavor.
Rice. White, jasmine, or brown all work, just cook ahead. You can also swap for quinoa if you'd like.
Tomato sauce. Use your favorite! I look for simple ingredients with lower sugar and salt.
Corn kernels. Frozen, canned, or fresh all work. Just thaw or drain as needed.
Veggies. I use zucchini, tomatoes, and spinach, but feel free to swap based on what you have.
The complete ingredient list with measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Rinse peppers, and carefully slice off the top of each pepper. Remove seeds and membranes and set aside.
- In a medium skillet add oil, lentils, rice, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, tomato sauce, corn, tomatoes, and zucchini and cook covered for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until mixture is warm and zucchinis are cooked. Add cheese and spinach and cook until cheese is melted and spinach has wilted (about 3 minutes).
- Stand peppers upright in the air fryer basket and stuff each pepper with the lentil mixture. Add additional cheese for topping. (You will have extra filling, I like to save it and serve it on the side or keep it for leftovers!)
- Air fry for about 10-15 minutes or until pepper is soft and cheese has browned.
- Serve with sour cream, salsa, and a side salad!
Substitutions and Variations
To make gluten-free: This recipe is gluten free as written!
To make dairy-free: Use a dairy free cheese of choice (just make sure it melts)!
To make nut-free: This recipe is naturally nut free!
Looking to add more protein to these air fryer stuffed peppers? Add in meatless "ground crumbles", crumbled tofu or even crumbled tempeh for a great plant based protein source.
Equipment
Storage
These air fryer stuffed peppers are best eaten when fresh. If you do have leftovers you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days and reheat in the microwave or air fryer.
Top Tips for Success
This is a great clean out the fridge meal- get creative with the fillings! Substitute quinoa for rice, add beans or add in any diced veggies of choice!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Stuffed peppers are traditionally cooked in the oven so there is absolutely no reason these lentil stuffed peppers can't be made in the oven. The only difference will be they will take longer! All you have to do is preheat the oven to 375F, place the stuffed peppers in a glass baking dish, cover with tin foil and bake for 10 minutes. After the 10 minutes is up, remove the tinfoil and bake for another 15 minutes. To get that crispy layer of cheese on top I'd recommend broiling the peppers for the last 5 minutes!
More Vegetarian Recipes
If you liked these air fryer stuffed peppers, try these recipes:
- One Pan Vegetarian Mexican Taco Skillet
- Sticky Orange Tofu
- Cheesy White Bean, Tomato, and Zucchini Bake
- Easy Weeknight Tofu Satay Stir Fry
See you in the kitchen!
PS. I love seeing my recipes in action! If you decide to make these air fryer stuffed peppers, don't forget to snap a photo and tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic or leave a comment and rating below letting me know how you liked it!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
- 4 medium bell peppers any colour
- 1 can (425g) lentils rinsed and drained
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- red pepper flakes to taste, optional
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup corn kernels fresh, canned or frozen all work!
- ½ cup tomatoes chopped
- ½ cup zucchini diced
- ½ cup cheese plus a bit more for sprinkling
- 1 handful spinach chopped
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F * see below for oven instructions.
- Rinse peppers, and carefully slice off the top of each pepper. Remove seeds and membranes and set aside.
- In a medium skillet add oil, lentils, rice, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, tomato sauce, corn, tomatoes, and zucchini and cook covered for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until mixture is warm and zucchinis are cooked. Add cheese and spinach and cook until cheese is melted and spinach has wilted (about 3 minutes).
- Stand peppers upright in the air fryer basket and stuff each pepper with the lentil mixture. Add additional cheese for topping. (You will have extra filling, I like to save it and serve it on the side or keep it for leftovers!)
- Air fry for about 10-15 minutes or until pepper is soft and cheese has browned.
- Serve with sour cream, salsa, and a side salad!
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