Stir Fry In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to traditional stovetop cooking methods. They can be used to cook a variety of dishes, including stir-fries. Using an air fryer to cook a stir fry is a quick and easy way to prepare a healthy and tasty meal. This cooking method allows you to use less oil, resulting in a dish that is not overly greasy or fatty. The versatility of an air fryer enables you to experiment with different ingredients and create stir-fries with various meats, tofu, or vegetables. You can also use frozen or fresh vegetables, making it a convenient option for cleaning out your refrigerator.

Chicken stir fry

To make a chicken stir fry, you'll first want to make a marinade. A simple marinade can be made by whisking together sesame oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, chili powder, and freshly grated ginger. You can also add in olive oil, rice vinegar, honey, and minced garlic. Once you've made the marinade, pour it into a large shallow dish or a sealable bag, and add in your chicken pieces. Toss the chicken until it's covered in the sauce, then leave it to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight.

Next, lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil cooking spray. Then, transfer the marinated chicken to the basket. You can also add in vegetables at this point, such as mushrooms, onion, bell peppers, and snow peas. If you want your vegetables to be less crispy, you can add them halfway through cooking.

Air fry at 375-380°F for 7-9 minutes, tossing the food midway through. The chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. After cooking, you can serve the stir fry with rice, noodles, or on its own. You can also add extra flavor with bottled sauces, such as soy sauce, garlic powder, or salt and pepper.

Beef and broccoli stir fry

Air fryers are a great way to cook a beef and broccoli stir fry. This recipe is protein-packed, flavourful, and can be made in less than 40 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner.

To make beef and broccoli stir fry in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

• Beef, preferably flank or strip steak
• Broccoli
• Bell pepper
• White parts of green onions
• Vegetable oil
• Soy sauce
• Vinegar
• Honey
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Sesame oil
• Crushed red pepper
• Cornstarch
• Water

First, make the marinade by combining soy sauce, water, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and sriracha in a small mixing bowl. You can also add brown sugar and chilli powder to the marinade for extra flavour. Place the sliced steak in a shallow bowl and pour the marinade over it, letting it sit in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.

Next, toss the marinated beef with broccoli, bell pepper, white parts of green onions, and vegetable oil in a large bowl. Coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray and arrange the meat mixture in the basket. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring midway through the cooking process. Continue cooking until the meat reaches your desired doneness, for example, 145 degrees F (62 degrees C) for medium, which will take about another 6 to 8 minutes.

While the beef is cooking, make the sauce by stirring together soy sauce, vinegar, honey, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes, until the liquid is reduced by half. In a separate small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water, then stir this mixture into the sauce. Cook for about another minute, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens.

Once the beef is done, remove it from the air fryer and let it stand for about 5 minutes. Toss the beef and vegetables with the sauce in a serving dish, topping with the remaining green onions. Serve immediately with rice or noodles.

You can also add other vegetables to this stir fry, such as mushrooms, onion, and snow peas, and even swap out the beef for other proteins like chicken, shrimp, or tofu. Enjoy!

Vegetable stir fry

Yes, you can definitely cook a vegetable stir fry in an air fryer! It's a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook a tasty meal.

Ingredients

You can use a wide variety of vegetables in your stir fry. Here are some suggestions:

• Bell peppers (red, orange, green, or a mix)
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Onions
• Mushrooms
• Snow peas
• Sugar snap peas
• Zucchini
• Cherry tomatoes
• Green beans
• Asparagus
• Brussels sprouts
• Cauliflower rice

You can also add tofu to your stir fry for a vegan option, or meat such as chicken, shrimp, beef, or pork.

Seasoning

You can experiment with different seasonings to find a flavor profile that you like. Here are some suggestions:

• Soy sauce
• Olive oil
• Sesame oil
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Salt
• Pepper
• Brown sugar
• Chilli powder
• Honey
• Rice wine vinegar

Method

First, preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F, depending on your air fryer and the desired crispiness of your vegetables.

Next, toss your chosen vegetables with your chosen seasonings until they are well-coated. Place the seasoned vegetables in the air fryer basket in a single layer, and cook for 7-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

If you are adding tofu, you can cook this first, for around 10 minutes, and then add your vegetables.

If you are adding meat, you may want to marinate it first in a mixture of oil, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and other seasonings. Then, add your vegetables to the air fryer basket with the meat and cook for 7-9 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Your vegetable stir fry is now ready to serve! You can serve it with rice, noodles, or on its own. Enjoy!

Rice or noodles

When it comes to serving your stir fry, you can choose between rice or noodles.

Rice

Fried rice is a great side dish to serve with your stir fry. You can use white or brown rice, and it can be cooked or leftover rice. It's best to use rice that has been cooled, so if you're cooking it the same day, you can pop it in the fridge until you're ready to use it. You can also add other ingredients to your fried rice, such as vegetables and protein. Some vegetables you can use include bell peppers, baby corn, sugar snap peas, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, and yellow squash. For protein, you can add shredded chicken, diced cooked pork or beef, or shrimp.

To cook the fried rice, preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Add some melted butter to an oven-safe pan, along with your other ingredients, such as frozen mixed vegetables, onion, garlic, and the cooked rice. Don't forget to add your sauces, such as soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Give everything a good stir, and then place the pan in the air fryer. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until everything is warmed through.

Noodles

If you prefer noodles, you can serve them boiled or fried. Boiled noodles are a great option if you want to avoid the extra calories from frying. Simply cook them according to the package instructions and serve them with your stir fry.

Alternatively, you can air fry your noodles for a crispy texture. This method uses zero oil, making it a healthier option than traditional frying. Start by boiling your noodles until they are al dente. Drain the water and let the noodles dry for about 30-40 minutes. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and place the noodles in the basket in a single layer. Air fry for 5 minutes, flip them over, and then air fry for another 3-4 minutes until they are golden brown.

You can also get creative with your noodle dishes by adding vegetables, proteins, and sauces. Some popular vegetable options include carrots, mushrooms, peppers, and courgettes (zucchini). For protein, you can add soya beans, king prawns, or shredded chicken. As for sauces, soy sauce is a classic choice, but you can also use teriyaki, sweet and sour sauce, or sweet chilli sauce. Experiment with different combinations to find your favourite!

Marinade and seasoning

Marinating your meat and seasoning your vegetables are key steps in making a tasty stir fry in an air fryer.

For a chicken stir fry, combine sesame oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, chili powder, and freshly grated ginger in a small bowl. Whisk the ingredients together and pour the sauce into a large shallow dish or sealable bag. Add the chicken pieces and toss until they are covered in the sauce. Leave the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes to an hour in your refrigerator. You can also add minced garlic, honey, rice wine vinegar, and olive oil to the marinade. If you want to make a tofu stir fry, you can use the same marinade, but you only need to leave the tofu to marinate for at least 10 minutes.

For a beef stir-fry, you can use a homemade or store-bought marinade. Add all the ingredients for the sauce to a bowl, then add the meat. Place in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. You can also add a tablespoon of stir-fry oil and mix it in with the vegetables.

If you are using frozen vegetables, you can add them directly to the air fryer. However, if you are using fresh vegetables, it is best to toss them in a bit of oil before placing them in the air fryer. You can use olive oil, sesame oil, avocado oil, or even canola oil. It is important to ensure that all your vegetables are cut into similar-sized pieces for even cooking. You can also season your vegetables with Chinese five spice, salt, and pepper, or a light sprinkle of taco seasoning.

When it comes to seasoning, you can experiment with different herbs and spices to change the flavor of your stir fry. Try adding ginger, chili flakes, sesame oil, or green onions for a kick of heat. You can also make a peanut sauce by whisking peanut butter into your marinade or a sweet and sour sauce by adding sweet chili sauce.

Frequently asked questions