These Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers combine the classic flavors of a sloppy joe with the fresh crunch of bell peppers. This simple, tasty dish is easy to make and perfect for a fun, wholesome meal. It’s sure to be a hit whether you’re cooking for the family or a gathering with friends.

A white plate with two sloppy joe stuffed yellow bell peppers topped with melted cheese and garnished with fresh parsley. — Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers. Photo Credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes

Why you will love making Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers

These stuffed peppers are one of my go-to meals because they tick all the boxes—they’re healthier thanks to the bell pepper “bun,” which cuts carbs and adds a boost of vitamins, and each one is a full meal packed with protein, veggies, and just a touch of sweetness. I love making them ahead of time so I can just bake them when needed, and the Sloppy Joe filling always wins over the kids.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.

Ingredients for sloppy joe stuffed peppers are displayed on a surface, including ground beef, sliced bell peppers, diced onions, shredded cheddar cheese, water, ketchup, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, brown sugar and chili powder. — Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers Ingredients. Photo Credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes

How to make Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers with Step-By-Step Instructions

A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.

Making these Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers is straightforward and fun. Here’s how to make them in no time:

Prepare the Peppers

Start by slicing your large bell peppers in half from top to bottom. Carefully remove the stems, seeds, and membranes, setting the clean halves aside.

Cook the Filling

Heat up a large skillet over medium to high heat. Crumble in the ground beef and cook until it’s nicely browned and fully cooked. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking them until they’re soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.

A skillet contains a raw log of ground meat and chopped onions, partially cooked, on a white stove, ready to be transformed into sloppy joe stuffed peppers. — Brown beef, onions and garlic in a skillet.

Add Flavor and Simmer

Lower the heat to medium and stir in the ketchup, Dijon mustard, chili powder, smoked paprika, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.

Mix everything well, then pour in half a cup of water. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 10 minutes, or until it thickens nicely.

Ground meat sizzles in a skillet with ketchup, mustard, minced garlic, and seasonings simmering to perfection—ideal for delicious sloppy joe stuffed peppers. — Add ketchup, mustard, spices, sugar, Worcestershire and water. Mix.

A pot filled with cooked ground meat seasoned with spices, perfect for making sloppy joe stuffed peppers, set on a white background. — Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes until thickened.

Stuff and Cook the Peppers

Spoon the meat mixture evenly into the bell pepper halves. Place them in an air fryer basket, and cook at 350°F (180°C) for about 8-10 minutes. Midway through, check to ensure the filling isn’t burning.

Four halved yellow and orange bell peppers filled with a sloppy joe ground meat mixture are placed inside an air fryer basket. — Air fry the stuffed peppers for 8-10 minutes.

Four yellow bell peppers are transformed into sloppy joe stuffed peppers, brimming with a flavorful ground meat mixture and crowned with melted cheese, all perfectly cooked in an air fryer basket. — After cooking, top meat with shredded cheddar and return to air fryer briefly to melt cheese.

Add Cheese and Finish

After the peppers are cooked, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the meat. Return them to the air fryer just long enough for the cheese to melt.

Serve and Enjoy

Finally, garnish your Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers with chopped parsley if desired, and serve hot. This dish makes a great centerpiece for a casual dinner or can be part of a larger meal if you’re feeding a crowd.

A plate with two sloppy joe stuffed yellow bell peppers topped with melted cheese, garnished with parsley. In the background, there's a whole red bell pepper, fresh parsley, and a glass of iced beverage. — Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

Here are some helpful tips and tricks to make your Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers even better:

Peppers: You can get by using 3 peppers, just evenly fill the peppers with the meat mixture.
Opt for Lean Meat: Using lean ground beef helps keep the dish lighter and healthier. If you prefer, you can also use ground turkey or chicken.
Add Some Heat: If you like things spicy, try adding a dash of hot sauce or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the filling mixture.
Save Time with Prep: Frozen diced onions and pre-minced garlic are great time-savers without sacrificing flavor.
Make Ahead: You can prepare the stuffed peppers up to the point of baking and store them in the refrigerator overnight. Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time when you’re ready to bake.
Check for Doneness: Depending on the size and thickness of your bell peppers, cooking times may vary. It’s a good idea to check that they are tender before serving.
Cheese: While cheddar is great, feel free to experiment with other types of cheese like Monterey Jack or even a sprinkle of Parmesan.
Keep an Eye on Moisture: If your filling seems too dry, add a bit more water or tomato sauce to keep it moist while it cooks inside the peppers.

How to Store Leftover Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers

Storing your leftover Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers properly helps keep them fresh and tasty for days. Start by letting the peppers cool to room temperature before packing them away. Use airtight containers to store them in the refrigerator, where they’ll stay good for up to 3–4 days.

When you’re ready to reheat, warm them gently in the air fryer. Cover the peppers with foil to prevent them from drying out.

If you won’t finish them within a few days, you can freeze them; just wrap each pepper individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep for up to a month. Be sure to defrost them in the fridge overnight before reheating.

A wooden cutting board with two halves of sloppy joe stuffed peppers on a white plate, garnished with parsley on an orange cloth. A bowl of shredded cheese is on the left. Fresh herbs are in the background. — Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers. Photo Credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes

Our Top 3 Money Saving Tips for This Recipe

Saving money while cooking delicious meals like Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers is always a win. Here are three tips to keep your budget in check:

Use Less Meat: Extend the meat by adding fillers like mushrooms or lentils, which are cheaper and still nutritious.
Generic Brands: Opt for generic brand condiments and spices—they taste the same as name brands but are cheaper.
Leftovers Made New: Turn any leftover filling into a new meal, like a Sloppy Joe sandwich or wrap.

What to Serve with Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers

Here are some perfect accompaniments to make these stuffed peppers into a meal:

Rice or Quinoa

A side of fluffy white rice or quinoa can make the meal more filling and soak up any extra sauce from the peppers. This is particularly handy if you’re serving a crowd or want to stretch the meal further.

Homemade Fries

Homemade fries are a hearty side that everyone loves. Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, they’re the perfect companion to scoop up any leftover sloppy joe mixture that might escape the peppers!

Coleslaw

A classic coleslaw can add a crunchy texture to your meal. The creaminess and tang of coleslaw pairs so well with the rich and meaty stuffed peppers, making each bite perfectly balanced.

A plate of two sloppy joe stuffed yellow bell peppers topped with melted cheese, garnished with parsley. A cutting board with fresh herbs, a red bell pepper, and a small bowl of shredded cheese are in the background. — Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers. Photo Credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes

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