Description
These air fryer taco-stuffed peppers are a quick, healthy, and colorful dinner packed with lean turkey, black beans, and bold taco flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or potlucks, they’re hearty, protein-rich, and naturally gluten-free.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange)
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained (fire-roasted preferred)
- 1/2 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3/4 cup shredded cheese (Mexican blend or cheddar)
- Olive oil spray or brush
- Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
- Sliced jalapeños or avocado (optional)
- Greek yogurt or light sour cream (for serving)
Instructions
- Wash and dry bell peppers. Slice each in half lengthwise and remove seeds and membranes. Optionally, keep stems for presentation.
- Lightly spray or brush pepper halves with olive oil. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking up with a spatula, until mostly browned (about 3–4 minutes).
- Add diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant and onion is soft (about 2–3 minutes).
- Stir in black beans, diced tomatoes, corn, and taco seasoning. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until heated through and thickened.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
- Spoon turkey and black bean mixture evenly into each pepper half, filling to the top. Press filling in if needed.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of each pepper (about 1–2 tbsp per half).
- Preheat air fryer to 360°F for 3 minutes.
- Arrange stuffed peppers in air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook in batches if needed.
- Air fry for 12–14 minutes, checking at 10 minutes. Peppers should be fork-tender and cheese golden and bubbly. Cover loosely with foil if tops brown too quickly.
- Let peppers cool in basket for 2–3 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with cilantro, jalapeños, avocado, or Greek yogurt/sour cream. Serve hot.
Notes
Make the filling ahead for meal prep. Use sturdy, colorful peppers for best results. Simmer filling until thick to avoid soggy peppers. For vegetarian, swap turkey for lentils or extra beans. Bake in oven at 400°F for 25–30 minutes if no air fryer. Garnish with fresh toppings for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper hal
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 480
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 11
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 19
Keywords: air fryer stuffed peppers, taco stuffed peppers, healthy dinner, turkey black bean peppers, gluten-free, meal prep, easy weeknight dinner, Mexican stuffed peppers