Beef Fajitas In An Air Fryer: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Yes, you can cook beef fajitas in an air fryer. It is a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook this Mexican classic. The air fryer method is also said to be less messy and makes clean-up a breeze. The steak fajita recipe usually involves a two-step cooking process to ensure the veggies are tender and the steak is not overcooked. The steak is usually marinated in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight, and the vegetables are cooked in the air fryer first, followed by the steak.

Steak fajita marinade ingredients and recipes

Steak fajitas are a delicious and easy meal to make, and the key to making them tasty is the marinade. A good marinade will tenderize the steak and enhance the spice flavours. The length of time you leave the steak in the marinade will depend on how intense you want the flavour to be, but it should be a minimum of 30 minutes and a maximum of 48 hours.

There are many different recipes for a steak fajita marinade, but most include olive oil, lime juice, garlic, and cumin. Some recipes suggest adding pineapple juice, which is known to tenderize steak. Other ingredients you could include are:

• Salt and pepper
• Chili powder
• Paprika
• Oregano
• Soy sauce
• Worcestershire sauce
• Cilantro
• Lemon or orange juice

One recipe suggests combining pineapple juice, lime juice, olive oil, soy sauce, minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Another suggests a marinade of olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper.

Once your steak has been coated in the marinade and left to sit for your desired length of time, you can cook it in an air fryer. Place a piece of foil in the air fryer basket and add peppers and onions. Spray with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Close the basket and cook on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Then add the steak pieces on top of the peppers and cook for a further 7 minutes, or until the steak is cooked to your liking. Serve on tortillas with your favourite toppings, such as cheese, cilantro, sour cream, salsa, or guacamole.

Best cuts of steak for fajitas

Yes, you can cook beef fajitas in an air fryer. Here's a recipe for you:

Ingredients:

• Steak
• Peppers
• Onions
• Olive oil, canola oil, or avocado oil
• Salt and pepper
• Cheese
• Cilantro
• Lime juice
• Sour cream
• Salsa
• Tortillas

Steps:

• Place a piece of foil in the air fryer basket.
• Put the peppers and onions in the basket.
• Spray with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Close the basket and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.
• After 10 minutes, add the steak pieces on top of the peppers.
• Close the basket and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 minutes, or until the steak is cooked to your liking.
• Serve on tortillas with your favorite toppings.

Now, for the best cuts of steak for fajitas:

Skirt steak is the most traditional cut for classic fajitas. It is an affordable option with a great beefy flavor. Cut from just under the ribs, it is a fairly well-used muscle that can be tough if not treated properly. A blend of marinating and high heat can easily render this cut fajita-worthy. The outside cut comes from the cow's diaphragm, which has far less tough connective tissue than its counterpart, making it much more tender. However, it is much harder to source and pricier due to its natural tenderness.

Flank steak is another good option. It is a leaner cut than skirt steak and requires a bit longer cooking time but provides just as much beefy flavor. Flank steak is sourced from a steer's abdomen just under the loin, which means tight muscle fibers with less marbling to naturally tenderize the final product. To avoid a tough and tasteless fate, flank steak needs to be tenderized with an acidic marinade. Once tenderized, the affordable cut cooks quickly, making it a top choice for weeknight steak fajitas.

If you want to mix it up, you can use a hanger steak, which is very similar to skirt steak as they come from the same cut of the cow. Other options include flat iron steak, Denver steak, and New York strip steak.

How to cook vegetables in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook beef fajitas in an air fryer. To do so, you can marinate the steak in a mixture of pineapple juice, lime juice, olive oil, soy sauce, minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika for 2-4 hours. Then, add peppers and onions to the air fryer basket, and place the steak on top. Cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes, or until the steak is cooked to your liking.

Now, for the vegetables, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, you can cook a variety of vegetables in an air fryer, including tender vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and green beans, as well as firm vegetables like root vegetables (carrots, beets, potatoes, parsnips) and winter squash.

• Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, which can range from 375°F to 400°F depending on the type of vegetable and your desired level of doneness.
• Prepare your vegetables by chopping them into small, evenly sized pieces. This will ensure that they cook evenly and thoroughly.
• Drizzle your vegetables with a small amount of oil, such as olive oil or avocado oil. This will help them brown and crisp up. You can also add seasonings such as salt and pepper, garlic powder, or Italian seasoning.
• Place the vegetables in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring that they are not overcrowded. Overcrowding the basket will cause the vegetables to steam instead of browning. You may need to work in batches.
• Cook the vegetables for 8 to 15 minutes, depending on the vegetable and your desired level of doneness. For tender vegetables, 10 to 15 minutes is usually sufficient. For firm vegetables, you may need to cook them for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Shake or toss the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking process to promote even cooking and browning.
• Once the vegetables are tender and browned, remove them from the air fryer and season to taste. You can squeeze some lemon juice over them and top with fresh herbs like parsley, or grated Parmesan cheese.

By following these steps, you can easily cook delicious and healthy vegetables in your air fryer, making a quick and tasty side dish or addition to any meal.

How long to cook the steak

The cooking time for steak fajitas in an air fryer depends on the thickness of the steak, the type of air fryer being used, and how well-done you like your steak.

Firstly, it is important to ensure your steak is sliced thinly, and against the grain. This will maximise its tenderness. If you are using leftover steak, or steak that is already cooked, you will only need to warm the meat through. This should take 3-4 minutes in the air fryer.

If you are cooking raw steak in the air fryer, the timing depends on how well-done you like your steak. For a medium-rare steak, you should aim for around 5 minutes at 400°F (200°C). For medium, increase the cooking time to 6-7 minutes, and for medium-well, cook for 10 minutes.

It is worth noting that different air fryers heat differently, so it is important to keep a close eye on your steak while it is cooking.

What to serve with the fajitas

Beef fajitas cooked in an air fryer can be served with a variety of side dishes. Here are some ideas:

Rice

Spanish rice, cilantro rice, or rice with lime juice and lime zest are all great options to accompany your beef fajitas. Rice is a versatile side dish that can be paired with various other Latin-style dishes such as tacos, burrito bowls, and enchiladas.

Salads

A crisp green salad with Mexican or Latin-style flavours, such as a cucumber, tomato, and avocado salad with lime juice and cilantro, can add a refreshing contrast to the heartier fajitas. You could also try a Mexican-style slaw with crunchy cabbage, red onion, cilantro, and cumin. This type of salad is typically made without mayonnaise, giving it a fresh flavour.

Chips and Dips

Chips with guacamole, or a simple bean dip made with beans, salsa, and cheese, are easy to prepare and provide a crunchy and creamy contrast to the fajitas. For a heartier dip, you can also try making refried beans from scratch or with a can of your favourite refried beans, adding spices like cumin, garlic powder, and chili powder.

Other Toppings and Sides

Shredded cheese, sour cream, diced avocados, and salsa are also great toppings or sides to accompany your beef fajitas. If you want to make it a more filling meal, you can serve the fajitas with warm tortillas or lettuce wraps, or even turn it into a fajita bowl with rice or quinoa for a gluten-free option.

With these side dish options, you can easily customise your beef fajita meal to your liking and create a well-rounded and satisfying dining experience.

Frequently asked questions