One of my favorite Super Bowl snacks to make every year are these amazing air fryer stuffed mini peppers. I used to bake them, until I realized how much faster I get to eat them with the air fryer! They’re filled with creamy cheese and sausage for the perfect low carb two-bite app!
Cute mini peppers are stuffed with a mixture of sausage, cheese, and seasonings for a perfect creamy, savory bite (or two). They’re an awesome option for your game day table, but they make a good snack or appetizer any time of year honestly.
Like most dishes, there are a variety of different fillings you can use, so I’ll make sure to give you some alternatives so you can adjust to taste. Sausage and cheese is always a classic, though, so it’s a great starting point!
Thanks to the air fryer, you’ll get browned, hot filling and just slightly softened peppers, which make for the ultimate snacking vessel. They’re easy to set out and even easier to eat!
Plus, you can do the prep work ahead of time and just cook them when you’re ready, so you can get back to the game or your party that much quicker.
Ingredients List
1 lb mini peppers
1 Tbsp olive oil
½ tsp salt (or to taste)
¼ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
6 ounces garlic and herb soft cheese (such as Boursin or Alouette)
6 ounces pork sausage, cooked and crumbled (such as Bob Evans)
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
½ tsp minced garlic
1 Tbsp parmesan cheese
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
You could also use jalapeno peppers in place of mini bell peppers for a spicier option (like a jalapeno popper)!
Instead of garlic and herb soft cheese, you can use a different flavor, or sub goat cheese or cream cheese instead
For sausage substitutions, try cooked crumbled bacon (another of my favorites), ground beef, chorizo, chopped pepperoni, prosciutto, or plant based sausages for a vegetarian option
Feel free to add other herbs and seasonings as desired! Great choices include chives, parsley, onion powder, everything bagel seasoning, or red pepper flakes
Step By Step Instructions
Wash and dry your peppers. Cut off the stems, then slice them lengthwise down the middle, removing any seeds and membranes
Toss the pepper halves in a mixing bowl or ziploc bag with the olive oil, salt, and pepper until they are evenly coated. Set aside
In a bowl, combine the soft cheese, cooked sausage, minced jalapeno, garlic, and parmesan cheese, and stir until well mixed
Using a spoon or spatula, stuff each one of the pepper halves with the cheese mixture. You do not need to mound it. Note that you may end up with some extra peppers left over, depending on their sizes
Place the filled peppers into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer
Cook on the air fry setting at 375°F-380°F (depending on your air fryer’s available settings) for 8-10 minutes, until the top is browned and bubbly
Cool slightly (the filling will be hot) and enjoy!
What to Serve With Stuffed Mini Peppers
Green salad
Garlic knots
Stuffed mushrooms
Potato skins
Smashed Brussels sprouts
Green bean fries
Cauliflower wings
Spinach balls
Fried broccoli
Zucchini fries
Chips and salsa
Guacamole
Soups
There are a variety of things to serve with stuffed mini peppers! They’re great with other finger foods and appetizers to complete your party snack spread, but you can make a meal out of them with some heartier accompaniments.
What Ingredients Are Required for Making Air Fryer Stuffed Mini Peppers?
Air fryer stuffed mini peppers require mini bell peppers and whatever stuffing you’d like to add to them.
Common options include soft cheeses, meats like sausage or bacon, and herbs or spices, like garlic, chives, or parsley.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Stuffed Mini Peppers in the Air Fryer?
Typically, it takes around 8-12 minutes at 350°F (175°C) for the peppers to become tender and the filling to brown.
Cooking times may vary depending on the filling used and the size of the mini peppers, as well as your specific air fryer.
Can I Use Different Fillings or Customize the Recipe?
Yes, absolutely! Feel free to experiment with various fillings like different cheeses, meats, grains, or even vegetarian options.
The recipe is highly customizable to suit personal tastes.
What Are Some Suggested Serving Ideas for Air Fryer Stuffed Mini Peppers?
Air fryer stuffed mini peppers make great appetizers, snacks, or even a side dish.
They can be served with dipping sauces, atop salads, or as part of a larger spread at gatherings.
Can I Store Leftover Air Fryer Stuffed Mini Peppers?
Yes, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
You can reheat them in the air fryer or microwave before serving.
Recipe Pro Tips
You can cook your sausage on the stove, or in the air fryer at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Drain well to remove excess grease
I do not preheat my air fryer for this recipe. However, if you do (since it’s easy to while stuffing the peppers), reduce cooking time by 1-2 minutes
It is normal for some of the filling to leak out during cooking. If you want to use some parchment or foil underneath to make cleanup easier, feel free
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftover stuffed mini peppers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months
To reheat, air fry at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, until the peppers are warm and the cheese is re-melted (add 1-2 minutes if reheating from frozen)
These air fryer stuffed mini peppers are a perfect appetizer or snack! Filled with creamy cheese, savory sausage, plus garlic and herbs, they’re a naturally low carb flavor bomb in a bite sized offering. I love to serve them up for the Super Bowl, but they’re perfect for entertaining any time!
Feel free to change up the meats and cheeses you use to customize them just the way you like it! There are a ton of great combinations to suit all different tastes.
Stuff the peppers up ahead of time and leave them in the refrigerator, and then brown them in your air fryer when you’re ready to enjoy! At just 10 minutes of cooking time, they’re quick and easy, but delicious as well.
Air Fryer Stuffed Mini Peppers (With Cheese and Sausage)
These air fryer stuffed mini peppers are a perfect low carb appetizer or snack. They’re stuffed with cheese and sausage filling that’s creamy, savory, and packed with flavor.
6Ouncesgarlic and herb soft cheese(such as Boursin or Alouette)
6Ouncespork sausage, cooked and crumbled(such as Bob Evans)
1jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced(optional)
½Tspminced garlic
1Tbspparmesan cheese
Instructions
Wash and dry your peppers. Cut off the stems, then slice them lengthwise down the middle, removing any seeds and membranes
1 Pound mini bell peppers
Toss the pepper halves in a mixing bowl or ziploc bag with the olive oil, salt, and pepper until they are evenly coated. Set aside
1 Tbsp olive oil, ½ Tsp salt, ¼ Tsp black pepper
In a bowl, combine the soft cheese, cooked sausage, minced jalapeno, garlic, and parmesan cheese, and stir until well mixed
6 Ounces garlic and herb soft cheese, 6 Ounces pork sausage, cooked and crumbled, 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced, ½ Tsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp parmesan cheese
Using a spoon or spatula, stuff each one of the pepper halves with the cheese mixture. You do not need to mound it. Note that you may end up with some extra peppers left over, depending on their sizes
Place the filled peppers into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer
Cook on the air fry setting at 375°F-380°F (depending on your air fryer’s available settings) for 8-10 minutes, until the top is browned and bubbly
Cool slightly (the filling will be hot) and enjoy!
Notes
You could also use jalapeno peppers in place of mini bell peppers for a spicier option (akin to a jalapeno popper)!
Instead of garlic and herb soft cheese, you can use a different flavor, or sub goat cheese or cream cheese instead
For sausage substitutions, try cooked crumbled bacon, ground beef, chorizo, chopped pepperoni, prosciutto, or plant based sausages for a vegetarian option
Feel free to add other herbs and seasonings as desired! Great choices include chives, parsley, onion powder, everything bagel seasoning, or red pepper flakes
You can cook your sausage on the stove, or in the air fryer at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Drain well to remove excess grease
I do not preheat my air fryer for this recipe. However, if you do (since it’s easy to while stuffing the peppers), reduce cooking time by 1-2 minutes
It is normal for some of the filling to leak out during cooking (so feel free to use some parchment or foil underneath to make cleanup easier)
Store leftover stuffed mini peppers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months
To reheat, air fry at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, until the peppers are warm and the cheese is re-melted (add 1-2 minutes if reheating from frozen)
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any swaps or additions, size of individual peppers, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Keyword air fryer appetizers, air fryer mini peppers stuffed with cheese and sausage, air fryer stuffed mini peppers, bite sized appetizers, low carb recipes, mini pepper recipes, mini peppers with cheese, stuffed pepper variations
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
