Order my new cookbook today! 
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our privacy policy.
My bell pepper nachos air fryer recipe is a healthier spin on classic nachos that sneaks in extra veggies! Packed with refried beans, seasoned ground turkey, and chili spices, these nachos deliver all the bold flavors you love in your favorite snack. And yes, there’s a layer of gooey, melty cheese to top it all off! These air fryer stuffed mini peppers are a delicious, low-calorie, and lower-carb alternative to traditional loaded nachos.
Summer, This is such a fabulous recipe to incorporate more veggies, and I love you have come up with trying to get nacho cravings settling more healthily. 
– Hasin
If you’re searching for a fun and tasty way to get more veggies into your family’s meals, these air fryer bell pepper nachos are the perfect solution. Let’s face it, most of us don’t eat enough vegetables—so why not make eating them more enjoyable?
Sure, these mini peppers aren’t exactly “real” nachos, and I won’t pretend they’ll fool you. But once you stuff those sweet mini peppers with taco-inspired fillings, they might just satisfy your nacho cravings. (And if you’re all about the crunch of corn chip nachos, don’t miss my air fryer nachos recipe!)
I think I’ve really nailed it with this one! The air fryer perfectly roasts the mini peppers while melting and browning the cheese to perfection. It’s officially my favorite way to make taco-stuffed mini peppers!
🫑 Bell Pepper Nachos (Air Fryer) Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you need for my stuffed mini peppers air fryer recipe:
- 9-11 count mini bell peppers (about 8 ounces or 227g)
- ¼ lb lean ground turkey (113g; can substitute ground chicken, lean ground beef, or ground sausage)
- ½ small onion
- ½ jalapeno pepper
- Cooking oil spray
- ½ can fat-free refried beans (7½ ounces or 213g)
- ¼ cup salsa
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (taco seasoning can also be used)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (optional)
- 4 ounces light Mexican shredded cheese (113g)
- Nacho toppings (optional; chopped cilantro, sour cream, chopped tomato, chopped avocado, sliced olives, guacamole, pickled jalapenos, etc.)
Don’t forget to grab the printable recipe card below! For the best results, use a smooth-textured salsa, which blends more easily into the pepper filling. However, chunky salsa works just fine if that’s what you have on hand.
This recipe works with any air fryer. If you’re using a smaller air fryer with a basket, you may need to cook the peppers in batches. For models like the Ninja Foodi, Philips, or other brands, keep in mind that cooking times may vary slightly—adjust as needed for your appliance.
➕ How to Make Air Fryer Stuffed Mini Peppers
Finely chop the onion and jalapeno. Cut the tops off of the sweet mini peppers, slice them in half lengthwise, and remove all of their seeds.
Crumble the raw ground turkey finely. Add the turkey, onion, and jalapeno to the air fryer basket. Spray with cooking oil spray. Air fry for 5 minutes at 375F (190C) to cook the meat and vegetables.
Crumble the turkey again after air frying. Add another minute of air frying time if needed.
Put the cooked turkey, onions, and jalapeno in a bowl. Stir in the refried beans, salsa, chili powder, and salt. Make sure the various ingredients are evenly combined throughout the mixture.
Lay the sliced mini sweet peppers in your air fryer basket with the cut sides facing up. Put the peppers in a single layer. It’s fine if their sides are touching- I like to really pack them in there!
Stuff the mini pepper halves with the turkey and bean mixture. Really pack the filling in there- I was able to use it all.
Next, cover the stuffed mini pepper halves with the shredded cheese. Air fry for 6-8 minutes at 350F (175C) to brown and melt the cheese.
After letting the peppers cool for a few minutes, garnish them with your favorite nacho toppings and serve. Admire that lovely cheese pull as you get the peppers off of the air fryer tray!
Chef’s Tip
No air fryer? No problem! Cook the meat and veggies in a skillet, assemble the mini pepper nachos, and broil on high in the oven for 3 minutes. This will also allow the cheese to melt and brown a bit. 
Watch How to Make It!
Bell Pepper Nachos (Air Fryer Stuffed Mini Peppers Recipe)
Ingredients
- 9-11 count mini bell peppers (about 8 ounces or 227g)
- ¼ lb lean ground turkey (113g)
- ½ small onion
- ½ jalapeno pepper
- cooking oil spray
- ½ can fat-free refried beans (7½ ounces or 213g)
- ¼ cup salsa
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt (optional)
- 4 ounces light Mexican shredded cheese (113g)
- nacho toppings (optional; chopped cilantro, sour cream, chopped tomato, chopped avocado, sliced olives, etc.)
Instructions
- Finely chop the onion and jalapeno. Cut the tops off of the sweet mini peppers, slice them in half lengthwise, and remove all of their seeds.
- Crumble the raw ground turkey finely. Add the turkey, onion, and jalapeno to the air fryer basket. Spray with cooking oil spray. Air fry for 5 minutes at 375°F (190°C) to cook the meat and vegetables.Crumble the turkey again after air frying. Add another minute of air frying time if needed.
- Put the cooked turkey, onions, and jalapeno in a bowl. Stir in the refried beans, salsa, chili powder, and salt. Make sure the various ingredients are evenly combined throughout the mixture.
- Lay the sliced mini sweet peppers in your air fryer basket with the cut sides facing up. Put the peppers in a single layer. It’s fine if their sides are touching- I like to really pack them in there!
- Stuff the mini pepper halves with the turkey and bean mixture. Really pack the filling in there- I was able to use it all.
- Next, cover the stuffed mini pepper halves with the shredded cheese. Air fry for 6-8 minutes at 350°F (175°C) to brown and melt the cheese.
- After letting the peppers cool for a few minutes, garnish them with your favorite nacho toppings and serve.
Equipment
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 1 recipe (may help support fat loss). Packed with protein and fiber, these healthy mini pepper nachos are a lower-calorie, low-carb alternative to traditional nachos, with only 24.2 grams of net carbs per generous serving. Plus, skipping the fried chips makes them a more filling and nutritious choice! Why make this air fryer mini peppers recipe? Here’s why:- Rich in Antioxidants: These peppers are loaded with vitamin C and vitamin A, making them a great option for boosting your vitamin intake.
- Essential Minerals: With almost 500 mg of potassium per serving, plus iron (enhanced by vitamin C) and calcium (thanks to that cheesy topping), this dish is a nutrient powerhouse.
- High in Fiber: Each serving provides over 6 grams of fiber to help meet your daily needs.
- Protein-Packed: With turkey, beans, and cheese, you’ll get 30 grams of protein per serving to keep you satisfied.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
👨🍳 More Mexican Recipes
Craving Mexican food? After making my air fryer mini sweet peppers, try these Mexican-inspired recipes next:
- Pulled Pork Salad
- Fresh, Homemade Mexican Chorizo Sausage
- Vegan Mexican Tofu Bowl
- Huevos Rancheros Vegetable Oats
- Air Fryer Taco Meat
👩🍳 Other Healthy Air Fryer Snacks
Looking for more air fryer snack recipes? I’ve got you covered! Try these other healthy and delicious treats you can make in your air fryer:
Join our community! Subscribe for all of the latest and greatest recipes, and follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!
Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂
Summer,
This is such a fabulous recipe to incorporate more veggies, and I love you have come up with trying to get nacho cravings settling more healthily. Thanks for the step by step pictures; they are helpful. An air fryer is something that I need to invest in for my family’s health.
Hi Hasin, Thank you so much for your kind words and the recipe rating! I hope that you end up loving having an air fryer as much as I do 🙂