Beef Strips In The Air Fryer: Quick, Crispy, Delicious!

Yes, you can cook beef strips in an air fryer! This cooking method is perfect for creating crispy beef strips with a tender inside. The air fryer is also a healthier alternative to frying beef strips in batches on the stove, and it's a quick and easy way to cook a range of beef dishes, from steak bites to Mongolian beef.

How to get the perfect level of crispiness

To achieve the perfect level of crispiness when cooking beef strips in an air fryer, there are several key steps to follow. Firstly, it is important to start with fresh or defrosted meat to ensure even cooking. Cut the beef into thin, even strips, slicing against the grain to ensure maximum tenderness. The thickness of the strips will impact the cooking time and overall texture, so aim for a consistent size.

Next, coat the beef strips with a layer of cornstarch, arrowroot flour, or rice flour. This step is crucial as it helps create a crispy coating on the beef. Make sure each piece is completely covered by tossing them in a large bowl. Let the coating sit for about 5 minutes so it can be absorbed by the meat.

Before placing the beef strips in the air fryer, spritz or spray them generously with cooking oil. Avocado oil, olive oil, or any oil with a high smoke point are good choices. This step ensures that the beef doesn't dry out and helps achieve that desirable crispiness.

Now, it's time to cook the beef strips. Preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 370-400 degrees Fahrenheit. The exact temperature may depend on your air fryer model and personal preference for doneness. Place the beef strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and prevent the desired crispiness.

Cook the beef strips for 7-15 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. For medium-rare steak bites, aim for a shorter cooking time, around 7-8 minutes. If you prefer your steak well done, cook for a longer duration, up to 15 minutes. Regardless of the cooking time, it's important to shake the air fryer basket every few minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent the strips from sticking.

During the cooking process, spritz the beef strips with additional oil halfway through to maintain moisture and enhance crispiness. Once the beef strips have reached your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately.

By following these steps, you can achieve perfectly crispy beef strips that are tender and juicy on the inside with a delightful crust on the outside. Enjoy your delicious air-fried creation!

Marinades and sauces

Marinating beef strips before air frying can greatly enhance their flavour and texture. It is recommended to marinate the beef for at least 20 minutes, but for optimal flavour, it is best to leave it overnight in the refrigerator.

There are many different marinade options to choose from, depending on your taste preferences and desired level of convenience. A simple marinade can be made with olive oil, salt, garlic powder, cumin, jalapeño chile powder, chilli powder, and coriander. This combination of spices and oil will help to create a delicious crust on the beef strips when air-fried. You can also add vegetables to your marinade, such as onions, mushrooms, or bell peppers, to enhance the flavour and create a more well-rounded dish.

If you're looking for a richer, more savoury flavour, soy sauce is a great option to add to your marinade. It will give the beef strips a steakhouse taste and help tenderise the meat, keeping it moist during the air-frying process. If you're concerned about the dish becoming too salty, you can opt for a low-sodium version of soy sauce or use coconut aminos or liquid aminos instead.

For those who enjoy a good kick of spice, sriracha can be added to the marinade or used as a sauce to coat the beef strips after air frying. Honey can also be incorporated for a touch of sweetness, creating a delicious tangy and sticky sauce. To further enhance the flavour, you can add minced garlic and ginger to the sauce and stir-fry it before coating the beef strips.

Additionally, you can create a garlic butter sauce by melting butter and adding garlic powder and dried parsley. This sauce pairs well with the beef strips and provides a comforting, indulgent touch to the dish.

Remember, the key to successful air-fried beef strips is to cut the meat into thin, uniform strips to ensure even cooking. Also, letting the beef strips rest for a few minutes after air frying allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in juicy and tender meat.

Best cuts of beef to use

You can cook beef strips in an air fryer, and it is a great way to enjoy crispy yet tender beef. The best cuts of beef to use for this cooking method are those that are tender and have some marbling, which is fat that melts and keeps the meat juicy and flavoursome. Here are some recommended cuts:

Flank Steak

This cut is often used for making beef strips in an air fryer. It is important to slice the flank steak thinly and against the grain to ensure maximum tenderness. Coating the strips in cornstarch or arrowroot flour before cooking will give them a crispy texture.

NY Strip

Also known as New York Strip, this cut is recommended for making juicy and flavourful steak bites. It has marbling that keeps the meat juicy and is tender enough to avoid becoming chewy.

Ribeye

Ribeye is another excellent option for air fryer steak bites due to its tenderness and marbling. Like the NY Strip, it will remain juicy and flavoursome without becoming tough or chewy.

Strip Steak

Strip steak is a great choice for air fryer steak bites or strips. It is a tender cut that cooks well in the air fryer, resulting in crispy edges and a juicy interior.

Sirloin Steak

Sirloin steak is another suitable option for air fryer steak bites, offering a tender and juicy result.

Stew Meat

While stew meat is typically tough and requires long cooking times, it can be surprisingly good in an air fryer. The air fryer can transform this usually hard cut into tender and juicy steak bites with a delectable crisp.

In general, it is best to avoid tougher cuts of beef, such as chuck or meat typically used for pot roasts or braised beef. These tend to become chewy when cooked slowly in an air fryer. Instead, opt for more tender cuts with some marbling to ensure your beef strips are juicy and full of flavour.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for beef strips in an air fryer depend on the type of beef, the thickness of the strips, and the desired level of doneness. Here are some general guidelines and tips to help you cook beef strips to perfection in your air fryer:

For thin strips of beef, such as those used for Mongolian beef or steak bites, most recipes recommend cooking at a temperature between 370 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking time can range from 7 to 20 minutes, depending on the desired level of doneness. For a medium-rare steak, aim for a shorter cooking time, around 7 to 8 minutes, to ensure the meat remains pink and juicy. If you prefer your steak well done, increase the cooking time to 12 to 15 minutes. It's important to shake the basket every few minutes during cooking to ensure even browning and prevent sticking.

When cooking steak bites, it's recommended to preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 4 minutes before adding the steak to the basket. This helps create a crispy exterior while keeping the meat tender and juicy. For steak bites, aim for a cooking time of 8 to 15 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness.

The cut of beef also plays a role in determining cooking time and temperature. For example, when using a tougher cut like chuck, you may need to increase the cooking time to ensure the meat becomes tender. On the other hand, more tender cuts like ribeye or strip steak may require slightly less cooking time to prevent overcooking.

It's worth noting that the size of your air fryer can also impact cooking time. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook the beef strips in batches to ensure even cooking. Additionally, marinating the beef strips before cooking can enhance their flavour and juiciness. However, this step is optional and can be adjusted based on your preference and time constraints.

What to serve with beef strips

Yes, you can cook beef strips in an air fryer. One popular recipe is for Mongolian beef, which involves coating the beef strips in cornstarch or flour and then air-frying them until crispy. This dish is often served with rice or ramen, but what else could you serve with beef strips?

Beef strips are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas for what to serve with them:

• Salad: A fresh salad can be a light and healthy option to pair with the beef strips. Try a simple green salad or something more substantial like a potato salad or a grain salad.
• Mashed potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes can be a comforting and filling side dish to accompany the beef strips.
• Roasted vegetables: Air-fried beef strips can be served with a variety of roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, or zucchini.
• Rice: Rice is a classic side dish that can be paired with beef strips. Try cooking it in a rice cooker for perfect results every time.
• Noodles: Beef strips can be served over a bed of noodles, either plain or tossed in a stir-fry with vegetables.
• Bread: A crusty loaf of bread can be perfect for soaking up any juices or sauces from the beef strips.
• Sauces: In addition to the Mongolian sauce, you can serve the beef strips with other sauces such as garlic butter or a simple gravy.

Frequently asked questions