How To Reheat Stuffed Peppers
Who doesn’t adore juicy peppers stuffed with gorgeous fillings? Our favorite recipe is bell peppers oozing with a stuffing of ground beef, tomato, and herbs, topped with bubbling melted cheese –delicious!
With any luck, you’ll make enough to have leftovers to warm up the next day, as they taste even better the second time around!
But, how do you reheat stuffed peppers? You can reheat stuffed peppers in one of three ways: in the oven, in the air fryer, or the microwave. Reheating stuffed peppers in the oven is the best way to reheat stuffed peppers without them becoming soggy.
We’ve got all the information you need about reheating stuff peppers, including our top tips and mistakes to avoid. Keep reading to find out more!
Reheating Stuffed Peppers in the Oven
The best way to reheat stuffed peppers in the oven. Reheating stuffed peppers in the oven may take a little longer than other methods, but it is worth the effort.
Stuffed peppers reheated in the oven do not get as soggy as some of the other methods for reheating, which helps them retain their delicious taste and texture.
The oven can be used to reheat both fresh and frozen stuffed peppers. Frozen stuffed peppers do not need to be defrosted before reheating. Simply increase the reheating time accordingly when reheating frozen stuffed peppers.
As with reheating any food, ensure that your stuffed peppers are piping hot throughout before serving.
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
This low temperature is ideal to ensure that your peppers are heated through to the middle without burning the outside.
Step 2: Place the peppers in an oven-proof dish and cover.
Arrange the leftover stuffed peppers with the stuffing facing upwards in an oven-proof dish. This will ensure that the juices from the filling do not leak out during the reheating process.
Place the stuffed peppers in a single layer in the dish – do not stack them on top of each other as the bottom ones may collapse.
Covering your dish of leftover stuffed peppers will help them to heat evenly without drying out. If you are using a casserole with a lid, place this on before putting the stuffed peppers in the oven.
Another option is to use aluminum foil to cover the dish.
Step 3: Bake for 15 minutes (fresh) or 45 minutes (frozen).
Place your dish of leftover stuffed peppers in the oven and bake. If your stuffed peppers are from the refrigerator or have been defrosted from the freezer then bake for 15 minutes.
Frozen leftover stuffed peppers should be baked for 45 minutes.
Step 4: Remove the cover and bake for a further 5 minutes
Once your peppers appear piping hot and steaming, remove the casserole lid or aluminum foil cover. Return the dish to the oven for a further 5 minutes, until golden and crispy around the edges.
Step 5: Serve!
Make sure to check that your reheated stuffed peppers are piping hot throughout. This is particularly important if you are reheating frozen stuffed peppers, or if your filling contains meat or fish.
Remove your delicious bubbling reheated stuffed peppers from the casserole onto a plate and enjoy!
Reheating Stuffed Peppers in the Microwave
Reheating stuffed peppers in the microwave is a quick and easy method, which is perfect if you’re in a hurry. It is also more cost-effective to use the microwave for reheating one or two portions of stuffed peppers when compared to the oven.
The downside of using the microwave to reheat stuffed peppers is that they may lose their texture, becoming soggy and watery. However, they are still delicious and in just a couple of minutes, you’ll have a sizzling stuffed pepper ready to eat!
Stuffed peppers that have been stored in the refrigerator can be reheated in the microwave. Frozen stuffed peppers must be defrosted fully before reheating them in the microwave.
However, if you are in a hurry then you can use your microwave defrost function to speed things up.
Step 1: Place the stuffed peppers on a microwave-safe plate.
Place your leftover stuffed peppers onto a plate or in a container that is suitable for microwaving. The pepper should be stuffing side up so that the filling does not leak out. Do not stack your stuffed peppers on top of each other.
Step 2: Microwave for two minutes on full power.
Place your plate or container into the microwave and turn it on for 2 minutes on the highest setting.
Step 3: Heat again at 15-second intervals if necessary.
After two minutes, check your peppers – if they are not piping hot then heat again at intervals of 15 seconds. Any longer than this and your peppers may overcook, causing them to become mushy and wet.
Step 4: Serve!
If you used a container to reheat your stuffed peppers, take care when moving them onto a plate – they may be very hot and fall apart easily.
The simplest option is to microwave them on individual plates, so they are ready to serve straight from the microwave.
Reheating Stuffed Peppers in the Air Fryer
Reheating stuffed peppers in the air fryer is a great option – faster than using the oven but without the loss of texture that occurs in the microwave.
Stuffed peppers can be reheated in the air fryer from the refrigerator or frozen.
Step 1: Place the stuffed peppers on the air fryer tray or basket
Spray your air fryer tray or basket with a thin layer of non-stick cooking spray. Place your stuffed peppers in a single layer on the tray or basket.
The peppers must stand up on their own in the air fryer, with the stuffing uppermost. You may need to trim the bottoms on wobbly peppers to stop them from falling over!
Air needs to circulate around the peppers in the air fryer, so don’t be tempted to lean them against each other.
Step 2: Reheat the peppers in the air fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 5 minutes. Put the tray or basket with the cooked peppers into the air fryer.
Chilled stuffed peppers take about 5 minutes to reheat in the air fryer. Frozen stuffed peppers take longer – check after 15 minutes and extend the time if necessary.
Step 3: Serve!
Check that your reheated stuffed peppers are piping hot. This is especially necessary when reheating frozen peppers and is very important if your stuffing contains any kind of meat.
Remove the tray or basket from the air fryer and serve your delicious reheated stuffed peppers. Enjoy!
Related Questions
Now that we’ve gone over a couple different ways you can reheat your favorite stuffed peppers, here are a few answers to some questions we thought you might’ve had while reading this article!
How do you keep stuffed peppers from getting soggy?
Leftover stuffed peppers can quickly become soggy if not frozen or reheated correctly.
When freezing stuffed peppers, make sure they are completely cold before placing them in the freezer. The best method is to allow the leftover stuffed peppers to cool, then chill them in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours before freezing.
Preventing leftover stuffed peppers from becoming soggy when reheating is tricky. Stuffed peppers reheated in the microwave will nearly always get soggy.
Using the oven or air fryer is a better option, but your peppers may still not have the same texture as when first cooked.
Another top tip to prevent soggy reheated stuffed peppers is to add some cooking oats to your mix when preparing your stuffed peppers. The oats will soak up excess juice, keeping it inside the stuffing.
Using quinoa instead of rice when preparing your stuffed peppers can also help to prevent sogginess.
Can you freeze leftover stuffed peppers?
Leftover stuffed peppers are perfect for freezing! Many of us find we have a surplus of stuffed peppers – it is all too easy to make far too much filling when preparing this delicious meal.
If you grow your own vegetables, then this is also a great way to make use of a seasonal glut of peppers.
After cooking, allow your stuffed peppers to cool completely. Place in a refrigerator for 3-4 hours or overnight to pre-chill them.
Pack your stuffed peppers into portion-sized containers, or wrap them individually before placing them in the freezer.
Leftover stuffed peppers will keep for up to 6 months in the freezer.
How do you store leftover stuffed peppers in the refrigerator?
Leftover stuffed peppers can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. However, if your stuffed peppers contain rice they should be consumed within 24 hours.
To store leftover stuffed peppers in the fridge, allow the stuffed peppers to cool completely, then place them in a bowl or container. Pop the lid onto the container or cover it with aluminum foil.
Tips for storing and reheating leftover stuffed peppers
- Leftover stuffed peppers should not be reheated more than once.
- If you are making stuffed peppers for freezing, you may prefer to add any cheese toppings when they are reheated rather than during the initial cooking process.
- If your stuffed peppers contain rice, avoid leaving them at room temperature for long periods of time after cooking. Food items containing cooked rice should be stored in the refrigerator and eaten within 24 hours.
- Take care when using fillings such as meat or fish – these should be reheated thoroughly before eating.
