Air Fryer Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers (Printable)

Crispy air-fried mini peppers loaded with a creamy three-cheese blend, ready in 25 minutes.

# What You 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

# Steps:

01 - Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for 3 minutes.
02 - In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar, Parmesan, chives, garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Mix until smooth and well combined.
03 - Fill each mini pepper half generously with the cream cheese mixture, smoothing the tops with a spoon.
04 - Arrange the stuffed peppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the tops are lightly golden.
05 - Carefully remove from the air fryer. Let cool for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with fresh parsley and a pinch of smoked paprika or red pepper flakes, if desired. Serve warm.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The air fryer creates this incredible roasted flavor while keeping the peppers tender and the filling perfectly melted.
  • You can prep them ahead and pop them in just before guests arrive, making stress-free entertaining possible.
  • The combination of creamy, tangy, and slightly smoky flavors keeps everyone coming back for seconds.
02 -
  • Do not skip the step of softening your cream cheese first, or you will end up with lumpy filling that refuses to blend smoothly.
  • Crowding the air fryer basket will make the peppers steam instead of roast, so work in batches if necessary.
  • The filling tastes even better if you make it a few hours ahead and let the flavors meld together in the refrigerator.
03 -
  • Look for bags of mixed colored mini peppers to make these look even more vibrant and inviting on the platter.
  • If your peppers are particularly large, you may need to increase the cooking time by a minute or two.

Go Back