Air-Fried Fajitas: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a convenient and easy way to make fajitas, with minimal washing up afterwards. You can make chicken, steak, or shrimp fajitas in an air fryer, and they can be served in a variety of ways, including in tortillas, as a salad, or in a rice bowl. The air fryer's quick cooking time means that you won't need to reheat your food, and it's a healthy way to cook, too.

Chicken or steak?

Fajitas are a great option for a quick, tasty, and healthy meal, and an air fryer is an excellent way to cook them. You can use chicken or steak as your protein of choice, and both are delicious and easy to prepare. Here is a detailed guide to help you decide which option is best for you.

Chicken Fajitas

Chicken fajitas are a fantastic option if you're looking for a lean protein choice. Chicken breasts or thighs work well, and you can also use chicken tenders or pre-cut chicken breast strips for convenience. The chicken is cut into strips, seasoned generously, and cooked in the air fryer with sliced bell peppers and onions.

The key to ensuring your chicken fajitas are juicy and flavourful is to avoid overcooking the chicken. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F (75°C). Depending on the thickness of your chicken strips and the model of your air fryer, the cooking time will vary, but it typically takes around 15 minutes.

Chicken fajitas are very versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. You can enjoy them with or without tortillas, and they pair well with toppings like guacamole, pico de gallo, avocado slices, salsa, and cheese. They are also excellent in a rice bowl or salad, making them a great option for those following a keto or low-carb diet.

Steak Fajitas

Steak fajitas are a great choice if you're looking for a hearty and flavourful option. Flank steak, sirloin, or top sirloin are good cuts to use, and it's best to slice the steak against the grain. For maximum flavour and tenderness, it's recommended to marinate the steak before cooking. A marinade of pineapple juice, lime juice, olive oil, soy sauce, and spices is an excellent option.

The cooking time for steak fajitas will depend on the size of your steak pieces and your desired doneness. For bite-sized pieces, air fry for 12-15 minutes. If you prefer your steak in larger strips, cook for around 7 minutes after the vegetables have cooked for 10 minutes.

Steak fajitas are typically served in soft tortilla shells with toppings such as avocado slices, lime juice, cheese, sour cream, salsa, or cilantro. They can also be served on a bed of romaine lettuce or spring mix for a salad option.

Both chicken and steak fajitas are delicious and healthy options that can be easily prepared in an air fryer. Chicken fajitas offer a lean protein choice and are very versatile, while steak fajitas provide a hearty and flavourful option. Ultimately, the choice between chicken and steak fajitas depends on your personal preference and dietary needs.

Marinade or no marinade?

So, you want to make fajitas in an air fryer? Great choice! You can definitely go the extra mile and marinate your meat before tossing it into the air fryer.

Marinating your meat will give your fajitas a more intense flavour and can also tenderise the meat. Most recipes recommend a marinade of olive oil, lime juice, and soy sauce. You can also add garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder for extra flavour. If you're making chicken fajitas, you can add an extra kick with chipotle paste.

If you're short on time, you can skip the marinade and just season your meat with a dry rub. This will still give your fajitas flavour, but it won't be as intense as a marinade.

For steak fajitas, skirt steak or flank steak are good options. If you're using chicken, go for boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs.

Now, let's talk about the cooking process. You'll want to preheat your air fryer to around 360-400°F (180-200°C). While it's heating up, chop up your peppers and onions, and toss them in a bowl with some oil and seasonings. You can also add your meat to the marinade at this point.

Once your air fryer is ready, cook the veggies for about 10 minutes. Then, add your meat and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness.

And that's it! You've now got delicious air-fried fajitas. Don't forget to serve them with your favourite toppings and enjoy!

Which vegetables to include?

Vegetables are a key component of fajitas, and the air fryer is a great way to cook them to perfection. The beauty of fajitas is that you can be flexible and use almost any vegetables you like. The most common vegetables used in fajitas are bell peppers and onions, but you can also add mushrooms, zucchini, tomatoes, and any seasonal vegetables of your choice.

When preparing your vegetables, cut them into thin, even strips to ensure they cook uniformly. For bell peppers, it is best to cut them into thin pieces to ensure even cooking. You can use any colour of bell pepper, but keep in mind that red and orange peppers are sweeter, while yellow is milder, and green has a more earthy, 'spicy' taste.

For onions, red onions are recommended for their stronger flavour, but you can also use sweet onions, yellow onions, or white onions. If you want to add some extra flavour to your onions, you can sauté them before adding them to your fajitas.

Before placing the vegetables in the air fryer, coat them with a thin layer of oil. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or any other high-heat oil. This will help them roast and crisp up perfectly. Spread the vegetables out evenly in the air fryer to ensure they cook thoroughly, and be sure to shake or stir them frequently for even cooking.

The cooking time for your vegetables will depend on your desired level of doneness. If you like your veggies softer, you may need to cook them for a bit longer. As a guide, cook your vegetables at around 390-400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10-15 minutes, stirring or shaking the basket frequently.

How to prepare the air fryer?

To prepare your air fryer for making fajitas, you'll want to start by preheating it. Most recipes suggest preheating to between 375°F and 400°F (around 200°C). You should preheat your air fryer for about 5 minutes.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your ingredients. Most fajita recipes call for meat, peppers, onions, and seasoning. Slice your meat into thin strips or bitesize pieces. Chicken and steak are the most common meats used for fajitas. If you are using chicken, you can use either boneless chicken breasts or thighs. For steak fajitas, skirt steak, flank steak, sirloin, or ribeye are popular cuts. You can also marinate your meat before cooking; a simple marinade could include olive oil, lime juice, and seasonings like cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and cayenne powder.

Slice your peppers and onions into thin strips or bite-sized pieces. You can use any color of bell pepper, but red, yellow, and orange peppers are sweeter. Toss your vegetables with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you like.

Once your air fryer is preheated, you can add your ingredients. Be careful not to overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this will prevent hot air from circulating. You may need to cook your ingredients in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. Spritz your ingredients with olive oil and air fry, shaking the basket halfway through, for 8 to 15 minutes, depending on the type and size of your ingredients. Check that your meat is cooked to your liking by using a meat thermometer; chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).

Once your ingredients are cooked, you can assemble your fajitas. Warm some tortillas and fill them with your chosen ingredients, adding toppings like avocado, cheese, salsa, or sour cream. You can also serve your fajita fillings over rice or on a salad.

What to serve with the fajitas?

There are many side dishes that can accompany fajitas. Here are some ideas:

Salads

• A simple salad with fresh ingredients such as lettuce, cucumber, tomato, coriander, and red onion.
• Cilantro Tomato Corn Salad: a summery salad with grilled corn, lime, and coriander.
• Zesty Southwest Quinoa Salad: a zesty salad with avocado, beans, corn, peppers, and onions, tossed in a southwest-inspired lime vinaigrette.
• Mexican Street Corn Salad: a creamy, refreshing corn salad with a tangy dressing.
• Cilantro Lime Broccoli Slaw: a crunchy slaw with a tangy yoghurt dressing.
• You could also serve a green salad with the fajita chicken and vegetables on top.

Rice

• Spanish Rice: a staple side dish when serving Mexican food, made with onions, green bell peppers, tomatoes, green chillies, and chilli powder.
• Mexican Green Rice: rice with a vibrant colour from poblano pepper, cilantro, and spinach.
• Mexican Red Rice: rice infused with the flavours of tomato and chicken broth.
• Black Beans and Rice: a classic, simple side dish cooked in one pot.
• Tomato Rice and Beans: rice and beans infused with the flavour of tomatoes.

Beans

• Quick and Easy Refried Beans: a quick alternative to canned refried beans.
• Instant Pot Black Beans: quick and easy black beans with no soaking required.
• Mexican Charro Beans: rich, hearty, and super flavorful.

Dips and Sauces

• Guacamole: a must-have at any Mexican night.
• Pico de Gallo: a fresh salsa with pineapple, bell pepper, red onion, coriander, and lime juice.
• Avocado and Black Bean Dip: a high-fibre dish that can be served as a side or an appetizer.
• Salsa: a classic dip to serve with tortilla chips.
• Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce: a delicious dip to serve with tortilla chips.

Vegetables

• Fajita Veggies: a must-have sizzling skillet of peppers and onions.
• Mexican-Style Pickled Vegetables: crispy, crunchy pickled veggies that can be served as a topping or a side.
• Easy Spicy Roasted Potatoes: roasted red potatoes with a burst of spicy flavour from chilli powder, cheese, and garlic powder.

Drinks

Margaritas: a classic cocktail to accompany a Mexican meal. Try a Passion Fruit Margarita or a Triple Citrus Frozen Margarita.

You could also serve:

• Shredded cheese: cheddar, longhorn, or Monterey Jack.
• Sour cream.
• Grated cheese.
• Shredded lettuce.
• Chopped tomatoes.
• Diced chillies.
• Pickled onions.
• Tortillas: flour or corn.
• Chips.
• Bunuelos.

Frequently asked questions