If you’re looking for a bright, irresistible appetizer or snack, these Air Fryer Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers are just the ticket! With their sweet crunch, creamy filling, and dreamy melty cheese, they vanish from the platter in seconds—no one can resist. The best part? They come together in a snap, right in your air fryer, for minimal fuss and maximum flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Major Crowd-Pleaser: The perfect party snack—these peppers always disappear first, whether you’re hosting game day or a cozy family dinner.
- Fast and Fuss-Free: Thanks to the air fryer, you’ll have a platter of warm, gooey stuffed mini peppers in less than 30 minutes, with barely any cleanup.
- Naturally Colorful & Healthy: Mini peppers bring a rainbow of colors, loads of crunch, and a healthy dose of vitamins to the table—no artificial anything required.
- Totally Customizable: Let your creativity fly—swap the cheese, spice it up, or add fresh herbs to make it completely your own!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These Air Fryer Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers call for a handful of simple ingredients, each playing a starring role in making this snack so craveable. Here’s a quick look at what you’ll need, and why each element is essential for flavor, texture, and eye-catching color.
- Mini sweet peppers: These vibrant little peppers are naturally sweet and perfect in size for stuffing—plus, they add a festive pop of color.
- Avocado oil: A quick drizzle ensures the peppers roast up tender and glistening, not dry. Feel free to substitute with olive oil if you like.
- Cream cheese (softened): The base of your filling, making everything deliciously creamy and rich. Room temperature cream cheese is easiest to mix.
- Mozzarella or cheddar cheese (grated): This brings that signature cheesy stretch and adds depth—use your favorite or mix them!
- Green onion (finely chopped): Adds a fresh, mild oniony bite that brightens every creamy, cheesy bite.
- Garlic powder: Just a hint infuses the filling with comforting, savory warmth—use a fresh garlic clove if you’re a fan of a stronger punch.
- Salt: Balances and intensifies all the flavors.
- Sriracha (optional): A squeeze of sriracha wakes everything up with gentle heat—add as much or as little as you love.
Variations
One of the best things about Air Fryer Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers is how easy they are to riff on—think of this recipe as your delicious blank canvas! Whether you’re making them for picky eaters or spicing things up for a party, there’s a variation for everyone.
- Bacon-Lover’s Dream: Add crispy crumbled bacon into the cream cheese mixture for a smoky, savory twist (or sprinkle it on top right before air frying).
- Herbed Up: Stir in freshly chopped herbs like dill, chives, basil, or parsley for a bright, garden-fresh flavor.
- Tex-Mex Style: Swap in pepper jack cheese and a pinch of cumin or taco seasoning for a spicy, southwestern kick.
- Veggie Boost: Mix in finely chopped spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or even cooked corn to sneak in extra veggies and color.
- Dairy-Free: Use your favorite plant-based cream cheese and shredded dairy-free cheese for a vegan version that’s just as creamy and satisfying.
How to Make Air Fryer Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers
Step 1: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
Gather your cream cheese, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, garlic powder, salt, and a splash of sriracha if using. Place everything in a mixing bowl and stir well until the mixture is creamy and evenly blended. If you have an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer, this is a great time to use it—creamy perfection, no effort required.
Step 2: Prep the Peppers
With a sharp knife, slice off the tops of the mini peppers and cut them in half lengthwise. Gently remove any seeds, leaving little “pepper boats” ready for filling. Drizzle the avocado oil over the peppers and toss them by hand so every piece is lightly coated.
Step 3: Stuff and Air Fry
Fill each pepper half generously with the cream cheese mixture, smoothing out the tops for even cooking. Lay six or so stuffed peppers in a single layer in your air fryer basket (don’t crowd them—they need a little space to cook evenly). Set your air fryer to Bake at 360°F and cook for about 8 minutes, until bubbling and golden at the edges. Repeat with the remaining peppers for round two (or three) if your air fryer is small.
Step 4: Serve Hot and Enjoy
Once cooked, transfer the peppers to a serving platter and dig in while they’re hot and melty! These Air Fryer Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers are best straight from the fryer, but they’re absolutely delightful at room temperature too.
Pro Tips for Making Air Fryer Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers
- Cream Cheese Consistency Matters: Always let your cream cheese soften to room temperature—it melds together faster and makes for the smoothest, easiest filling to spread.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: Space the peppers out in a single layer—this ensures hot air circulates for an evenly roasted finish and golden, bubbly cheese.
- Personalize Your Heat: Start with a little sriracha, then taste and adjust the spiciness to suit your crew—mild or fiery, it’s your call.
- Stuff Generously, But Not Too Full: Filling should reach the rim and no higher—this keeps the cheese melty inside the pepper and prevents spills in the air fryer.
How to Serve Air Fryer Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers
Garnishes
Finish these little beauties with a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or dill, or a light dusting of smoked paprika for a dash of color and subtle flavor. For extra crunch and richness, try a handful of finely chopped toasted nuts on top—delicious and eye-catching!
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers make fabulous finger food, but they also shine next to a fresh green salad, a platter of crisp veggies and dip, or a big bowl of hearty soup. At parties, I love to serve them alongside other appetizers like air fryer wings, chips, and fun salsas for a colorful buffet.
Creative Ways to Present
Mix up the colors of your mini peppers for a jaw-dropping rainbow effect on your platter! For parties, serve them “charcuterie board style” with crackers, cheese wedges, olives, and deli meats. Or, make individual pepper “boats” in mini cupcake liners for easy, grab-and-go snacking at gatherings or kid parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Air Fryer Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers can be cooled completely and tucked into an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll keep beautifully for up to three days—and make a fantastic next-day lunch or snack!
Freezing
If you want to freeze, assemble the peppers with filling (but don’t air fry), then lay them on a lined baking sheet and freeze solid before transferring to a freezer-safe container or bag. When ready to enjoy, air fry directly from frozen—just add 2–3 minutes to the cooking time.
Reheating
To reheat, pop cold or thawed stuffed peppers back into the air fryer at 350°F for 2–4 minutes, until warmed through and the cheese is gooey again. They’ll refresh beautifully—just be sure not to overcook, or the peppers can get a little too soft.
FAQs
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Can I make Air Fryer Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the stuffed peppers up to a day in advance, refrigerate them, and air fry just before serving. This is a major lifesaver for busy hosts and party planners.
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What can I use instead of cream cheese?
If you don’t have cream cheese on hand, ricotta, goat cheese, or a soft dairy-free alternative all work. Each brings its own unique flavor and texture—feel free to experiment!
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How do I keep the peppers from getting soggy?
The air fryer does most of the work! Just be sure not to overcrowd the basket and avoid overbaking. A light tossing in oil also helps to maintain that perfect snap.
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Can I use the air fry setting instead of bake?
You can, but the bake setting cooks the cream cheese filling more gently and keeps your peppers tender but not scorched. If you air fry, reduce the temperature slightly and check frequently for doneness.
Final Thoughts
Give these Air Fryer Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers a try and share them with someone you love—they’re the ultimate blend of colorful, cheesy, satisfying, and just a little bit fancy. I promise, once you taste that first bite, you’ll be making them for all kinds of occasions, big or small. Enjoy every creamy, crunchy mouthful!
Print
Air Fryer Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Total Time: 31 minutes
- Yield: 24 peppers 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Air Fryer Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers are a delightful appetizer or snack, combining the sweetness of mini peppers with a creamy, cheesy filling that’s just a little spicy.
Ingredients
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 1 bag mini sweet peppers, 14 peppers cut lengthwise and seeded
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil
- 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
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional)
Instructions
- Cream Cheese Filling: Add the ingredients for the cream cheese filling to a mixing bowl and stir well until combined.
- Prepare Peppers: Slice the tops off of the peppers, cut them in half lengthwise, and remove any seeds.
- Coat Peppers: Drizzle avocado oil over the peppers and toss to coat.
- Stuff Peppers: Fill the peppers with the cream cheese mixture.
- Air Fry: Transfer stuffed peppers to the air fryer in a single layer. Bake at 360°F for 8 minutes.
- Serve: Remove peppers from air fryer and transfer to a plate. Repeat for remaining peppers.
Notes
- *Or use 1 clove of fresh garlic if you have it on hand.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pepper
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
