Description
These Air Fryer Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers are a delicious and easy appetizer featuring sweet mini peppers filled with a creamy blend of cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, green onions, and a hint of garlic powder. Perfectly baked in the air fryer for a quick and satisfying snack or party finger food.
Ingredients
Scale
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 filling: Add the cream cheese, grated mozzarella cheese, finely chopped green onions, garlic powder, salt, and optional sriracha to a mixing bowl. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. Using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer can help achieve a smooth filling.
- Prepare peppers: Slice the tops off the mini sweet peppers and cut each pepper in half lengthwise. Remove any seeds inside to make room for the filling.
- Coat peppers: Drizzle the avocado oil over the prepared peppers. Use your hands to toss them gently until all pieces are evenly coated with oil.
- Stuff peppers: Spoon the cream cheese filling into each pepper half, ensuring they are well filled but not overflowing.
- Air fry peppers: Place about 6 stuffed peppers in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Press the Bake setting (not Air Fry) and set the temperature to 360 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook for 8 minutes until the filling is melted and peppers are tender.
- Repeat cooking: Carefully remove the cooked peppers and transfer them to a serving plate. Repeat the air frying process with the remaining stuffed peppers in batches.
Notes
- You can substitute 1 clove of fresh garlic instead of garlic powder for a more intense garlic flavor.
- Use cheddar cheese in place of mozzarella for a sharper taste variation.
- Make sure peppers are not overcrowded in the air fryer to ensure even cooking.
- Allow peppers to cool slightly before serving to avoid burns from hot filling.
