Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers (Printable Version)
Tender sweet peppers stuffed with a savory three-cheese blend and air-fried until golden and bubbly.
# 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
# How To Make:
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 to 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 to 3 minutes, then transfer to a serving platter.
06 - Garnish with fresh parsley and a pinch of smoked paprika or red pepper flakes, if desired. Serve warm.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The air fryer creates the most gorgeous blistered edges while keeping the cheese filling impossibly creamy
- These are the perfect finger food, no utensils required and minimal cleanup afterward
02 -
- Overcrowding the air fryer basket will steam the peppers instead of roasting them, so work in batches if necessary
- The filling can be made a day ahead and kept refrigerated, making prep time almost nonexistent on party day
03 -
- Room temperature cream cheese blends much more easily, so take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before mixing
- A small cookie scoop makes filling the peppers faster and more uniform than using a spoon