Stuffed peppers are a homemade Mediterranean dish that takes advantage of the red pepper season in summer. The air fryer cooks evenly without a long oven. Each Spanish region has its filling, but meat and rice are the most widespread version.
Mediterranean
Pimientos rellenos air fryer
Air fryer stuffed peppers from Spain: traditional step-by-step recipe, with chef tips and clear times.
- Spain
- MAIN COURSES
- Light
- High protein
- medium
25 min
Tiempo de Preparación
4
Servings
Nutrición por ración
- Calories 340 kcal
- Protein 22 g
- Fiber 4 g
- Carbohydrates 28 g
- Fat 16 g
- Sodium 520 mg
Story behind the dish
Preparation
Air fryer stuffed peppers are a preparation from Spain with medium difficulty. Reserve about 43 minutes in total (25 for mise en place and preparation, 18 for cooking). Follow the 6 phases in order: each step indicates what to do, what to observe and, when applicable, the time or level of fire.
Before you start
- Have ready: 4 medium red peppers.
- Have ready: 300 g of mixed minced meat.
- Have ready: 150 g of cooked rice.
- Have ready: 1 onion.
- Have ready: 2 cloves of garlic.
- Salt, oil and spices measured and within reach.
- Clean utensils, board and clear work surface.
-
Empty peppers by cutting the lid; blanch 3 minutes to soften…
Empty peppers by cutting the lid; blanch 3 minutes to soften slightly.
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sauté onion
Sauté onion, garlic and meat; add tomato, rice and spices. Work in batches if skillet is full; too much load generates steam and cooks instead of sautéing.
Work in batches if skillet is full; too much load generates steam and cooks instead of sautéing
-
Stuff peppers without compacting excessively; cover with cheese
Stuff peppers without compacting excessively; cover with cheese.
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Drizzle oil on the outside of the peppers
Drizzle oil on the outside of the peppers.
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Cook in an air fryer at 180 C for 16 minutes until tender.
Cook in an air fryer at 180 C for 16 minutes until tender.
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Rest for 5 minutes and serve with cooking juices.
Rest for 5 minutes and serve with cooking juice. Resting time is not optional: it improves texture, hydrates fibers and balances flavors.
Resting time is not optional: it improves texture, hydrates fibers and balances flavors
Chef's tips
- Test for salt and doneness before serving; the last adjustment makes the difference.
- Use fresh and seasonal ingredients: the quality of the product is noticeable in the final result.
Variations
- Vegetarian version replacing the meat with sautéed mushrooms or cooked legumes.
- Version with whole wheat pasta or brown rice for greater fiber content.
- Vegan dairy-free version using plant-based cheese or cream alternatives.
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