Stir Fry In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can make stir fry in an air fryer. It is a simple method for cooking your favourite stir fry and you can use a variety of proteins, including chicken, beef, shrimp, tofu, or just vegetables. You can also use frozen stir fry mixes, which are great for building up your air fryer confidence.

The process is simple: load your chosen protein and vegetables into a bowl, toss in stir fry seasoning and extra virgin olive oil, and then place in the air fryer basket. You can also marinate your protein beforehand for extra flavour.

Chicken stir fry

Ingredients

You can use a variety of ingredients for your chicken stir fry, but here is a simple list of ingredients you will need:

• Chicken breast or boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• Vegetables (e.g. bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli, onion, mushrooms, green beans, carrots)
• Olive oil or another cooking oil with a high smoke point
• Seasonings (e.g. salt, pepper, garlic powder, ginger, chili powder, Italian seasoning)
• Sauce (e.g. store-bought stir-fry sauce, teriyaki sauce, honey garlic sauce)

Instructions

• Cut the chicken and vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
• Combine the chicken and vegetables in a large bowl.
• Add oil and seasonings to the bowl and toss to coat the chicken and vegetables evenly.
• Place the chicken and vegetables in the air fryer basket.
• Cook at 380°F/195°C for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket or tossing the contents with tongs occasionally to ensure even cooking.
• Check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it has reached 165°F/74°C.
• While the chicken and vegetables are cooking, heat your chosen sauce in the microwave or on the stovetop.
• Once the chicken and vegetables are cooked, toss them in the sauce until well coated.
• Serve over rice, noodles, quinoa, or a salad, and enjoy!

Tips and Variations

• You can experiment with different combinations of vegetables, proteins, and sauces to create your own unique stir fry.
• For a lower-fat option, use less oil or try air frying without oil.
• If you want to add a marinade, combine the oil, seasonings, and soy sauce, and coat the chicken and vegetables before placing them in the air fryer.
• For a vegetarian option, replace the chicken with chickpeas or tofu.
• You can also cook frozen stir fry vegetables in the air fryer by air frying at 180°C/360°F for 8 minutes, then adding oil and cooking for an additional 5 minutes at 200°C/400°F.

Beef stir fry

Yes, you can definitely make a beef stir fry in an air fryer! It's a simple, hands-free method that delivers a crispy and delicious meal. Here's a step-by-step guide to making a mouthwatering beef stir fry in your air fryer:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of beef sirloin, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon of sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon of grated ginger
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil spray (optional)

Instructions:

• Combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, and sesame oil in a bowl. Mix well until the cornstarch is dissolved.
• Add the thinly sliced beef to the marinade and toss until each piece is well coated. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes, or even overnight in the refrigerator, to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
• In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat the vegetable oil. Add the sliced peppers, onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Sauté until the vegetables are crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer the sautéed vegetables to the air fryer basket, spreading them evenly to create a single layer.
• Remove the beef from the marinade, allowing any excess marinade to drip off. Place the beef on top of the vegetables in the air fryer basket.
• Place the basket in the air fryer and cook for 8-10 minutes, tossing halfway through, or until the beef is cooked to your desired doneness. For a rare or medium-rare steak, cook for a shorter duration, and for a well-done steak, add a few extra minutes.
• Once done, remove the beef stir fry from the air fryer and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve your beef stir fry over steamed rice or noodles. You can also add a side of air fryer vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, or green beans.

Tips:

• For the best results, pat dry the beef slices with a paper towel before marinating to remove excess moisture.
• Preheating the air fryer ensures even cooking and quicker results.
• Stir the beef and vegetables occasionally during cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even browning.
• If using a marinade, drain the excess liquid from the beef before placing it in the air fryer to avoid excessive smoke.
• Let the beef rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute and enhance tenderness.
• You can also spritz the beef with extra virgin olive oil spray during cooking for extra crispness.

Enjoy your delicious and healthy beef stir fry, made conveniently in your air fryer!

Shrimp stir fry

Yes, you can make stir fry in an air fryer! Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to make shrimp stir fry in an air fryer.

Ingredients:

• Shrimp (peeled, deveined, and with or without tails)
• Olive oil
• Garlic (minced)
• Salt and pepper
• Vegetables of your choice (e.g. zucchini, yellow squash, red pepper, onion, mushrooms)
• Seasoning (e.g. southwest chipotle seasoning, Cajun seasoning)

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/205°C.
• In a bowl, drizzle olive oil on the shrimp and add the minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together to distribute the seasoning evenly.
• Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer.
• Air fry the shrimp for 6-10 minutes. Be careful not to overcook them, as shrimp can easily become tough and rubbery.
• If you are using vegetables, cut them into bite-sized pieces. You can also add olive oil, garlic powder, and other seasonings to the vegetables and toss to coat.
• Place the vegetables in the air fryer basket and air fry for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking.
• Once the shrimp and vegetables are cooked, you can serve them together with rice, noodles, or any other sides of your choice.

Tips:

• It is recommended to use jumbo shrimp or shrimp that are on the bigger side, as they will shrink slightly during cooking.
• You can experiment with different seasonings and sauces to find your favorite combination.
• If using frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw them completely before air frying.
• Cut your vegetables into evenly sized pieces to ensure they cook at the same rate as the shrimp.
• For extra flavor, try marinating the shrimp in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, and seasonings for up to 30 minutes before air frying.

Enjoy your delicious and healthy shrimp stir fry, made quickly and easily in your air fryer!

Tofu stir fry

Ingredients

• Tofu (extra-firm)
• Vegetables (e.g. bell peppers, onions, broccoli, carrots, bok choy, zucchini)
• Oil (e.g. avocado oil, olive oil, sesame oil)
• Seasoning (e.g. salt, pepper, garlic powder, Chinese five spice)
• Sauce (e.g. stir-fry sauce, teriyaki sauce, orange sauce)

Optional Ingredients

• Cornstarch (for crunch)
• Tamari and/or sriracha (for savory, spicy flavor)
• Rice or noodles (for serving)

Method

• Press the tofu to remove excess water (optional, but recommended for crispier tofu).
• Cut the tofu into cubes and season with oil, tamari, and/or sriracha.
• Sprinkle cornstarch over the tofu and toss to coat.
• Place the tofu cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space around each cube.
• Air fry at 390-400°F for 10-15 minutes, tossing halfway through for even cooking.
• Meanwhile, cut the vegetables into even-sized pieces.
• Toss the vegetables with a drizzle of oil and desired seasoning.
• Once the tofu is done, remove it from the air fryer and set aside.
• Place the vegetables in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 2-15 minutes, depending on the type of vegetables. Shake the basket occasionally to redistribute the food.
• If desired, heat the sauce in the microwave or in a small pan.
• When the vegetables are tender, add the tofu back into the air fryer basket and pour the sauce over everything, tossing to coat.
• Serve the tofu and vegetable stir fry over rice or noodles.

Tips

• For a frozen stir fry, air fry frozen vegetables at 360°F for 8 minutes, then add oil and increase the temperature to 400°F for another 5 minutes.
• The tofu and vegetables can be cooked together in the air fryer, but the tofu may not get as crispy.
• For best results, shake the air fryer basket frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
• If using a marinade, allow the tofu to marinate for at least 10 minutes before air frying.

Vegetable stir fry

Yes, you can make a vegetable stir fry in an air fryer. Here is a recipe for you to try:

Ingredients:

• 50 grams extra firm tofu, cut into strips (about 1 cup)
• 4 stalks asparagus, ends trimmed and cut in half
• 4 brussels sprouts, halved
• 3 brown mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon sesame oil (or olive oil)
• ¼ teaspoon soy sauce
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Roasted white sesame seeds (for garnish)

Method:

• Combine all ingredients into a large mixing bowl, and toss to combine.
• Transfer into the air fryer basket and air fry at 350 F for 7-8 minutes, depending on how well done you would like the vegetables. Give the basket a shake halfway through.
• Remove from the air fryer basket, sprinkle some roasted white sesame seeds on top, and serve with a side of steamed rice.

Tips:

• You can customise the vegetables based on your preference. Some other great options are green beans, broccoli, or cauliflower.
• You can also double the recipe, depending on the size of your air fryer basket. Filling the basket halfway is ideal, but make sure you don't fill it more than 2/3 full. You can also cook in batches.
• To make this gluten-free, use gluten-free soy sauce.
• This stir-fry is delicious served with a bowl of steamed rice or coconut rice.

Frequently asked questions