Air Fryer Stew: Is It Possible?

Cooking a hearty stew is made easier with an air fryer, which can drastically reduce cooking time without compromising on flavour. While traditional stews are cooked over a long period at a low temperature, air fryers can achieve similar results in a fraction of the time. Air fryers are also versatile, allowing for a variety of stews, including beef, chicken, lamb, and even Moroccan-style parsnip and olive stew. The key to a successful stew in an air fryer is to use quick-cooking cuts of meat, such as steak, and to adjust cooking times based on the type of air fryer used.

Beef stew in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook beef stew in an air fryer! This cooking method gives a classic dish a modern twist, delivering tender meat and savory vegetables in record time.

Ingredients

• Beef stew meat
• Beef broth
• Carrots
• Potatoes
• Onions
• Garlic
• Tomato paste
• Thyme
• Your favorite herbs and spices, such as rosemary, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and more
• Cornstarch (optional, to thicken the sauce)
• Red wine (optional)
• Peas, green beans, mushrooms, or bell peppers (optional)

Steps to Make Beef Stew in an Air Fryer

First, season the meat. Combine your favorite herbs, spices, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a bowl. Toss the beef stew meat in this mixture and set it aside for about 15 minutes to marinate. While the meat marinates, preheat your air fryer to around 375°F (190°C).

Next, air fry the beef stew meat. Place the seasoned beef in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring proper airflow by avoiding overcrowding. Cook for about 12-15 minutes, flipping the meat halfway through, until it reaches your desired level of doneness.

Now, you can add the vegetables. In a separate pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and add the coated beef. Cook until browned on all sides, then remove and set aside. In the same pan, sauté chopped onions until translucent. Add minced garlic, dried thyme, and dried rosemary, and cook for another minute. Stir in tomato paste and cook for a minute. You can also deglaze the skillet with red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.

Transfer the beef and onion mixture to the air fryer basket, along with chopped carrots, potatoes, and any other desired vegetables like peas, green beans, mushrooms, or bell peppers. Add beef broth and stir to combine.

Finally, air fry the beef stew at 375°F (190°C) for about 45-50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat is tender and the vegetables are cooked through. Carefully remove the dish from the air fryer using oven mitts, as it will be hot.

If you want to thicken the sauce, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a little water and stir it into the stew during the last few minutes of cooking.

Serve your beef stew warm, and enjoy a comforting and hearty meal!

Chicken stew in an air fryer

Chicken stew is a hearty and delicious meal that can be made in an air fryer with excellent results. This recipe will guide you through the process of making a flavourful chicken stew with vegetables and tender meat.

First, prepare your ingredients: you will need a whole chicken, cut into pieces, olive oil, an onion, a carrot, three garlic cloves, potatoes, mushrooms, and paprika and salt to taste. You may also add in other vegetables of your choice, such as green beans, cauliflower, asparagus, or mushrooms.

Heat some olive oil in a pan and add the chopped onion, carrot, and garlic. Stir-fry these until the onion is translucent. Then, add in the chicken pieces and cook until browned. You can also add a pinch of paprika at this stage for extra flavour. Remove the chicken and set it aside.

In the same pan, you can now sauté some mushrooms. If your pan looks dry, add a little water. You can also add more ingredients like tomato paste, red wine, or herbs such as thyme and rosemary, to build a richer flavour profile.

Next, transfer the chicken and vegetables to your air fryer basket or a stoneware baking dish that fits into your air fryer. Add in your chopped potatoes and any other vegetables you wish to include. Stir the ingredients together, ensuring they are well mixed. You can also add in some melted butter, shredded cheese, chicken soup, sour cream, and seasonings like salt and pepper to taste.

Air fry your chicken stew at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 4-6 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the stew is hot. If you are using a baking dish, you may need to adjust the cooking time by a minute or two.

Your chicken stew is now ready to be served! You can garnish it with herbs like chives, parsley, or green onions, and enjoy it with sides like sweet potatoes or dinner rolls.

Lamb stew in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook stew in an air fryer! While some people argue that stew is one of those things that can't be cooked in an air fryer, this is not true. You can make a delicious lamb stew in an air fryer with a few simple tweaks to the classic recipe.

First, you need to use a quick-cooking cut of lamb, such as lamb chops or leftover lamb cubes. You can cook the lamb from frozen, but it's important to note that typical stew meat, such as chuck steak, is not suitable for the air fryer as it will become tough. If you're using lamb chops, you can cook them in the air fryer first and then cut them into cubes for your stew.

Next, you'll want to prepare your vegetables. Sauté your aromatics, such as onions, garlic, and spices, in a separate pan. You can also add ingredients like tomato paste and red wine to build flavour. Then, add your vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes, and peas, to your air fryer pan along with the lamb.

Finally, finish your lamb stew in the air fryer by cooking it at 325°F (163°C) for 3-5 minutes. You can thicken the sauce by mixing a tablespoon of cornstarch with a little water and stirring it into the stew during the last few minutes of cooking. Serve your lamb stew warm, and enjoy a comforting and hearty meal.

Thickening the sauce

Use a Thickening Agent:

One of the most common ways to thicken the sauce is by adding a thickening agent such as cornstarch, xanthan gum, or flour. Cornstarch is a popular choice, as it creates a smooth and glossy texture. Simply mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a small amount of water, then stir it into the stew during the final minutes of cooking. This will help to avoid lumps and ensure a seamless integration into your sauce.

Xanthan gum is another effective thickening agent, especially when used in conjunction with tomato paste, as seen in some recipes. Unlike flour, xanthan gum has the unique ability to thicken at any temperature, making it ideal for air fryer stews.

Potatoes:

In addition to being a hearty and comforting ingredient, potatoes can also contribute to thickening the broth of your stew. When cooked, potatoes release starch, which adds a creamy texture and helps to subtly thicken the sauce.

Tomato Paste:

Tomato paste not only adds a rich umami flavour to your stew, but it also helps to thicken it. It provides a hint of sweetness and depth of taste while contributing to a denser consistency.

Cooking Time:

Finally, remember that the cooking time can impact the thickness of your stew. Allowing your stew to cook for a slightly longer period can help reduce the liquid content and intensify the flavours, resulting in a thicker sauce.

By following these tips and adapting them to your specific recipe, you'll be able to achieve a beautifully thickened sauce for your air fryer stew.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The temperature and timing for cooking stew in an air fryer depend on the type of stew and the model of the air fryer. Here are some general guidelines and examples:

Air Fryer Temperature

When cooking stew in an air fryer, the temperature setting will depend on the type of stew and the desired level of doneness for the meat. For example, when cooking beef stew, a temperature of 375°F (190°C) is recommended to ensure the meat is tender. For a beef stew with steak strips, a higher temperature of 400°F (200°C) is suggested for a medium-rare doneness. Meanwhile, a lamb or chicken stew with leftover lamb chops or chicken thighs may require a lower temperature setting.

Air Fryer Timing

The timing for cooking stew in an air fryer can vary depending on the model of the air fryer and the specific recipe. For example, the EaZy BrandZ Air-Fried Beef Stew recipe recommends air frying at 375°F (190°C) for about 45-50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat is tender. On the other hand, the Summer Yule beef stew recipe suggests cooking steak strips in the air fryer for 13-20 minutes at 400°F (200°C), depending on your preferred doneness.

Additionally, when making a Moroccan-style parsnip and green olive stew in an air fryer, the Waitrose & Partners recipe recommends cooking the vegetables at 180°C for 10 minutes, stirring halfway through. Then, after adding the remaining ingredients, the stew is cooked for another 12 minutes at the same temperature.

It is important to note that cooking times may need to be adjusted based on the specific air fryer model used. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines for your particular air fryer model to ensure optimal results.

Frequently asked questions