If this isn’t the best air fryer chile rellenos recipe you’ve ever had–or for that matter the best chile rellenos sauce recipe you’ve ever had–I will eat two of these in penance. But that’s not likely to happen. The best, easiest, tastiest air fryer chile rellenos you’ve never had.

So the odd thing about this recipe is that it’s for 3 chile rellenos. I know, I know, who makes 3?

Someone whose air fryer will only take 3 chiles, that’s who! if you have a Breville Smart Oven Air or a Power Oven Air fryer you can probably get 4 in at a time. In which case, just add a little corn and cheese and you should be good to go.

So this sauce. Let’s talk about the sauce. I know several of you will be writing to me telling me how it’s not authentic. Tomato paste you say? What?

Okay, you know what? Try it before you knock it. It is. So. Good. You’ll be grateful you have extra sauce when it’s all said and done.

HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER CHILE RELLENOS

The way to do this efficiently is to get the chiles char and make the sauce while that happens. Then mix up the corn and cheese and have it ready for when the chiles are done and ready to go.

What I loved about charring the chiles in the air fryer was no smoke, no mess on the stove, and no standing around and turning it. I just put them in the air fryer, and they pretty much took care of themselves.

I served mine with my Instant Pot Refried beans and Instant Pot Arroz con Pollo but I have to be honest, that might have been overkill.

These air fryer chile rellenos stand well on their own. I’d maybe make a nice Tomato Coconut soup with it Air Fryer Carne Asada if you want something with a little meat and call it a day.

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Air Fryer Chile Rellenos

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

25 mins

Total Time

40 mins

 

If this isn't the best air fryer chile rellenos recipe you've ever had--or for that matter the best chile rellenos sauce recipe you've ever had--I will eat two of these in penance. But that's not likely to happen. The best, easiest, tastiest air fryer chile rellenos you've never had.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Dietary Consideration: Egg-Free, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Low Sugar, Vegetarian

Cooking Style: Air Fryer

Ease of Cooking: Under 30 Mins

Recipe Type: Air Fryer, Cheese, Spices & Sauces, Vegetable Side Dishes

Servings: 3

Calories: 394 kcal

Ingredients

For the peppers:

• 3 poblano peppers rinsed and dried
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels thawed, or use drained canned corn
• 1 scallion sliced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
• 2 tablespoons Mexican crema or sour cream

For the sauce:

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 6-oz can tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons ground ancho chile powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. For the peppers: Place peppers in the air fryer basket. Set air fryer to 400°F for 10 minutes, turning peppers halfway through cook time. Remove peppers from air fryer (skins should be charred) and place in a resealable plastic bag to steam for 5 minutes. Peel skin and discard.
2. In a medium bowl combine corn, scallion, cilantro, salt, black pepper, and grated cheese; set aside.
3. Meanwhile, make the sauce: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook onion for 5 minutes or until tender. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds. Stir in tomato paste, chile powder, oregano, and cumin, and salt. Cook and stir 1 minute. Whisk in chicken stock, and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
4. Cut a slit down the center of each poblano pepper, starting at the stem and continuing to the tip. Remove the seeds, being careful not to tear the chile.
5. Carefully stuff each chile with a layer of half of the corn and cheese mixture, and 1 tablespoon of the crema.
6. Place stuffed peppers in 6-inch heat-proof pan and place the pan in the air fryer basket. Set air fryer to 400°F for 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted
7. Serve with red chile sauce.*

Recipe Notes

*Note: This recipe makes more sauce than you will use in one meal. Freeze it for another time you are making these chiles rellenos and you will be one step ahead.

Nutrition facts per serving

394kcal | Fat: 29g | Saturated fat: 9g | Carbohydrates: 24g | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Protein: 14g

I am not a registered dietician or nutritionist. Nutritional information is provided a courtesy, and can vary depending on the exact ingredients you use.

Don’t forget to check out my Air Fryer Cookbook! 

Every one of the recipes in this book can be made in an hour or less, and many are on the table in as little as 30 minutes. You won’t find “cream of anything” cans in the ingredient list: instead, you’ll start with fresh ingredients–healthful meats and vegetables–and let the air fryer do the hard work. Unleash the full potential of your Air Fryer and eat healthfully every night.