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Ready in just 30-45 minutes, these Air Fryer Greek Stuffed Peppers are packed with Mediterranean flavor, protein-rich chickpeas, and creamy feta cheese for a simple and satisfying weeknight meal.

Stuffed sweet bell peppers are one of those comfort food dinners that feel a little special, even though they’re easy to throw together. I love this version because it’s a lighter, flavor-packed twist on the classic, made right in the air fryer in a fraction of the time.
With a filling mixture of chickpeas, lean ground beef (or turkey), warm spices, crumbled feta, and topped with a big spoonful of tzatziki, they’ve become a go-to at our house when I want something hearty but still wholesome. Perfect easy dinner that is a complete meal and will beceom a family favorite.
Why You’ll Love These Greek Stuffed Peppers
- Fast and flavorful: Done in under 45 minutes with easy air fryer steps.
- Mediterranean twist: Dill, oregano, feta, and cinnamon bring classic Greek flavor.
- Customizable filling: Use rice or couscous, beef or turkey. Or make them vegetarian.
- Kid-approved: Mild spice blend and cheesy finish win over picky eaters.
- Great for leftovers: Reheats well for lunches the next day.
- Balanced and wholesome: Packed with protein, fiber, and heart-healthy ingredients.

Ingredients You’ll Need
- Fresh Bell Peppers – A sweet, sturdy base that holds everything together. Yellow, orange, and red bell peppers add sweetness and color, making them ideal for this recipe.
- Ground Beef or Turkey – Adds savory flavor and protein. Ground chicken works too. Use 93% lean for best texture.
- Chickpeas – A fiber-rich plant-based protein that makes the filling mixture heartier. Also known as garbanzo beans.
- Feta Cheese – Salty, creamy, and slightly tangy.
- Cooked Rice or Couscous – Adds body and texture. Use white rice, brown rice, arborio rice, or pearl couscous. Quinoa is a high-protein alternative.
- Diced Tomatoes – Adds moisture and acidity. Choose no-salt-added for better seasoning control.
- Dried Herbs & Spices – The Greek flavor comes from oregano, basil, thyme, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and cinnamon.
- Fresh Parsley – Brings a bright, fresh finish. Fresh mint or dill can be added for more herbaceous flavor.
- Tzatziki Sauce (Optional) – A creamy yogurt-based sauce made with cucumber and garlic. Easy to make or buy at the store.
How to Make Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
These stuffed peppers come together with simple ingredients. They’re easy to prep, cook fast in the air fryer, and bring all the classic Greek flavors to your table without a lot of work.

- Prep the peppers – Slice off the tops of the fresh bell peppers and carefully remove the seeds and membranes inside. Dice the pepper tops into small pieces and set them aside for later.
- Pre-cook the peppers – Lightly spray the inside of the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Once preheated, place the hollowed-out peppers upright in the basket and cook for 6 minutes. This helps soften them slightly so they finish evenly when stuffed. Pre-cooking helps prevent soggy peppers.
- Make the meat mixture – While the peppers pre-cook, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef or turkey and cook for about 3 minutes. Add the reserved diced pepper tops and all the dried herbs and spices. Continue cooking for another 2–3 minutes, until the meat is fully browned and the peppers are soft.

- Add chickpeas & tomatoes – Stir in the drained chickpeas and the entire can of diced tomatoes, including the juices. Let the mixture simmer for 1 minute, allowing the flavors to combine.
- Finish the filling mixture – Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the cooked rice or couscous, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped parsley. Mix well and taste the filling.

- Stuff the peppers – Carefully spoon the filling mixture into each partially cooked pepper. Press the mixture down gently with the back of the spoon to fill them completely and help them hold their shape. If you have leftover filling, save it and serve with eggs, in wraps, or over greens.
- Air fry to finish – Return the stuffed peppers to the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F for another 4–6 minutes, or until the tops are slightly browned and the peppers are tender but still hold their shape. Sprinkle a little shredded cheese on top of each pepper for extra flavor, if desired.
- Serve – Transfer the peppers to plates, sprinkle with extra feta and fresh parsley, and add a generous spoonful of tzatziki on top or on the side for dipping. Pair with a simple green salad for a complete and delicious meal.
No air fryer? Place peppers in a baking dish and roast at 375°F for 25–30 minutes instead. If you’re baking them in the oven, there’s no need to pre-cook the peppers beforehand. The longer oven time will naturally soften them as they cook.

Expert Tips & Substitutions
- Family tip: Let kids help stuff their own peppers and add a little extra shredded cheese or feta. Makes dinner more fun and hands-on.
- Vegetarian option: Skip the meat and use 1½ to 2 cups of chickpeas or about 1½ cups of finely chopped mushrooms or zucchini instead of the ground meat listed in the recipe. You can also mix both for a hearty vegetarian filling.
- Make it lighter: Use lean ground turkey and couscous for a lower-calorie version.
- No chickpeas? Swap for white beans or even lentils.
- Swap the grains: Quinoa, califlower rice, or orzo pasta also work well in the filling mixture.
- More Mediterranean flavor: Add kalamata olives, red onion, or fresh dill for extra flavor.
- Avoid soggy peppers: Pre-cooking the peppers in the air fryer helps them stay firm and prevents excess moisture.
Storing & Making Ahead
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keep leftover filling in a separate container and reheat for lunch, serve over salad, or use as a quick protein-packed side.
- Freezer: Wrap individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5–7 minutes, or microwave until warmed through.
- Make ahead: Prepare the filling 1–2 days in advance and store separately from the peppers.
- Scaling up: Double the recipe and air fry in batches for meal prep or guests.

Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep the peppers from falling over in the air fryer?
Use large, flat-bottomed peppers and stand them up snugly in the basket so they don’t fall over while cooking. If your peppers are tipping, slice a very thin layer off the bottom to help them sit flat. Just be careful not to cut all the way through, or the filling mixture may leak out.
What’s the best rice to use for stuffed peppers?
Any cooked rice works, including leftover rice. White, brown, jasmine, or arborio are all great choices. You can also use orzo pasta or cauliflower rice for a lighter or grain-free option.
What can I do with the extra filling?
Leftover filling is incredibly versatile! You can serve it over a simple green salad, wrap it in a tortilla or pita for a quick lunch, mix it with scrambled eggs for breakfast, or stuff it into zucchini or mushrooms for another easy meal.
What’s the difference between Yemista and stuffed peppers?
Yemista is a classic Greek dish of stuffed vegetables, of stuffed vegetables, often filled with rice, herbs, and tomatoes. These peppers are inspired by Yemista but adapted for the air fryer.
More Air Fryer Recipes to Try
Want more easy air fryer recipes your whole family will enjoy?
- Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
- Easy Air Fryer Lemon Cod
- Air Fryer Orange Chicken
- Cilantro Lime Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Easy and Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
- Easy Air Fryer Carrot Fries
Enjoyed these Air Fryer Greek Stuffed Peppers? Leave a quick review and tell us how yours turned out!

Greek Stuffed Peppers in Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4-6 large bell peppers
- 1 pound lean ground beef, or turkey
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup diced tomatoes, undrained
- ½-¾ cup cooked rice
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese, plus more for garnish
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
- Tzatziki sauce, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Spray the inside of an air fryer basket with cooking spray, then preheat to 400F. While it’s heating, cut the tops off the peppers and discard the seeds. Dice the tops of the peppers and set aside.
- When the air fryer is preheated, place the peppers in the basket of the air fryer and cook for 6 minutes. Remove the peppers from the air fryer.
- While the peppers are cooking, add the ground beef to a large skillet set over medium high heat. Cook for 3 minutes, then add the leftover diced pepper and spices, continuing to brown for 2-3 more minutes.
- Stir in the chickpeas and diced tomatoes with their juices. Simmer for 1 minute, then remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the rice, feta, and parsley, tasting and adjusting seasoning as desired.
- Scoop the filling evenly into each of the partially cooked peppers, then place them back in the air fryer. Air fry at 400F for 4-6 more minutes. Sprinkle with more feta and fresh parsley and serve with tzatziki, if desired.
Notes
- If your peppers are tipping, slice a tiny bit off the bottom to help them sit flat (but don’t cut through).
- This recipe works great with leftover rice or couscous.
- To make this vegetarian, skip the meat and use extra chickpeas or chopped mushrooms.
- No air fryer? You can bake by placing filled peppers in a baking dish and roast at 375°F for 25–30 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.









