Air Fryer Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers (Printable)
Colorful mini peppers filled with creamy cheese blend, air fried to perfection for a tasty appetizer or snack.
# What You'll Need:
→ 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 Steps:
01 - Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for 3 minutes to ensure proper cooking temperature.
02 - Combine the softened cream cheese, cheddar, Parmesan, chives, garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt in a medium bowl. Mix until completely smooth and thoroughly blended.
03 - Generously fill each mini pepper half with the cream cheese mixture, using a spoon to smooth and level the filling evenly across the tops.
04 - Arrange the stuffed peppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring proper air circulation. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until the peppers become tender and the filling develops a light golden color.
05 - Carefully remove the basket from the air fryer and let the peppers cool for 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter for presentation.
06 - Sprinkle with fresh parsley and a pinch of smoked paprika or red pepper flakes if desired. Serve while warm for optimal flavor and texture.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- They disappear faster than you can say appetizer, so maybe double the batch
- The air fryer creates restaurant quality results without heating up your entire kitchen
02 -
- Do not overfill the peppers or the cheese will spill out during cooking and burn onto your air fryer basket
- Work in batches if your air fryer basket is small, because overcrowding leads to soggy peppers instead of perfectly roasted ones
03 -
- Look for bags of mixed colored mini peppers for the most beautiful presentation
- If your cheese mixture feels too soft to pipe, refrigerate it for 15 minutes before stuffing