Gratinated peppers in the air fryer with breadcrumbs and mozzarella. Sicilian-style oven-gratinated peppers are one of the summer dinner recipes that will surprise you for their flavor and simplicity. They are different from the usual breadcrumbs-and-potatoes peppers or from pan-gratinated peppers, but just as good, especially because they are enriched with my Sicilian-style seasoned breadcrumbs. If, like me, you love pepper recipes, you must try this very easy idea to cook in the oven or air fryer — practical and very fast. It’s a convenient dish that you prepare quickly and that can serve as an appetizer, a side dish or even a vegetarian main course suitable for everyone. Peppers cooked this way are amazing and, despite the extreme ease and simplicity of the ingredients, they will really be a hit at your table. So if you want to make them too, follow me in the kitchen and you will see how delicious they are!

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Difficulty: Easy
Cost: Very economical
Preparation time: 5 Minutes
Portions: 4 servings
Cooking methods: Air fryer
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

3 bell peppers (medium)
1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
4 tbsp pecorino cheese
4 tbsp grated Grana Padano
to taste extra virgin olive oil
7 oz mozzarella (or provola)
to taste salt
to taste sliced almonds (or pine nuts)
1 clove garlic

Tools

Air fryer

Preparation of oven-gratinated peppers

Rinse the peppers, cut them in half, remove the seeds and membranes, and place them in a baking pan with the cut side up or on the air fryer rack. Salt and drizzle with olive oil. Bake in the air fryer at 338–356°F for 15 minutes, or at 356°F for 20 minutes in a convection oven, or until they are soft.
To make the seasoned breadcrumbs I suggest using homemade-style breadcrumbs; you can make them at home starting from stale bread or buy them at the bakery — that’s how we usually do it. Put the breadcrumbs in the blender with parsley, cheese and garlic if you like, and a pinch of salt if the bread has none, and blend until you obtain a homogeneous mix. Our seasoned breadcrumbs are ready to be used in all the preparations you desire. You won’t use it all at once, but you can keep it in the fridge for a few days or freeze it.
Remove the peppers from the oven, then fill them with the seasoned breadcrumbs, add the mozzarella, a little more breadcrumbs and a handful of almonds or pine nuts. Return to the oven or air fryer for 7–8 minutes at 338–356°F and let them gratinate. As soon as the cheese has melted, remove from the oven and serve hot — they are also good warm or at room temperature.
Store the oven-gratinated peppers in the fridge inside an airtight container and consume within 48 hours.