Air Fryer Stir Fry: Can You Do It?

Stir fry is a quick, easy, and healthy meal to make, but can you get the same results from using an air fryer instead of a pan or wok? The answer is yes! You can make a stir fry in an air fryer, and it only takes a little over 10 minutes. This method is perfect for those who want a more hands-off approach to cooking, as you can leave the room while your food cooks. You can also use frozen vegetables, which is a great way to reduce prep time.

Chicken stir fry in an air fryer

Stir-fries are a great, quick, and easy meal to throw together, and an air fryer can make the process even simpler. You can use an air fryer to cook a stir-fry with chicken and vegetables in around 15 minutes, and it will be packed with protein and fresh veggies.

Ingredients

For this recipe, you will need:

• Chicken breast or thighs
• Olive oil or another neutral cooking oil
• Garlic, either fresh or as a powder
• Soy sauce or coconut aminos
• Honey
• Rice vinegar
• Vegetables of your choice, such as bell peppers, red onion, mushrooms, broccoli, or green beans
• Rice or noodles to serve (optional)

Method

Here's how to make chicken stir fry in an air fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 375-380°F.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, minced garlic, honey, rice vinegar, and olive oil.
• Add the chicken to a bowl or bag with the sauce and toss to coat. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
• Place the marinated chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 5-6 minutes.
• After 5 minutes, add your chosen sliced vegetables to the air fryer basket. Pour any remaining sauce over the vegetables and chicken and mix everything together.
• Air fry for an additional 7-8 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked (to an internal temperature of 165°F) and the vegetables are tender.
• Serve the stir-fried chicken and vegetables with rice, noodles, or on its own.

Tips and Variations

• You can use any type of meat, tofu, or just vegetables for this recipe.
• You can also add other vegetables, such as zucchini, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, snap peas, or carrots.
• Try a different protein, such as shrimp, beef, or chickpeas.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices, such as ginger, chili flakes, or sesame oil.
• Serve it over quinoa, noodles, salad, or air-fried white or sweet potatoes.
• Use frozen vegetables to cut down on prep time.
• Make a peanut sauce by whisking peanut butter into your marinade.
• Make a sweet and sour sauce by adding sweet chili sauce to your marinade.

Best vegetables for stir-frying

Yes, you can put stir fry in an air fryer! Here are some of the best vegetables for stir-frying:

Classic Stir Fry Vegetables

Bell peppers, onions, and broccoli are some of the most commonly used vegetables for stir-frying. Carrots, mushrooms, and baby corn are also popular choices. You can also add in some green onions and garlic to boost the flavor.

Aromatic Vegetables

Aromatic vegetables like carrots and broccoli are perfect for stir-frying as they only need about 3 minutes to cook.

Green Leafy Vegetables

Bok Choy, also known as Chinese cabbage, is a great option for stir-frying. It has a crunchy texture and a delicate flavor. Zucchini is another leafy green that works well in stir-fries, taking only about 2 minutes to cook.

Tropical Fruit and Veg

Pineapple, mango, banana, and sweet potato are unexpected but delicious additions to a stir fry. Just be sure to add them towards the end as they only need about 2-3 minutes to cook.

Quick-Cooking Vegetables

Some vegetables that cook quickly and work well in stir-fries include snow peas, mushrooms, bell peppers, and eggplant. These vegetables usually only need about 2 minutes in the pan.

Tips for Stir-Frying Vegetables

When stir-frying vegetables, it's important to cook them according to their cooking times. Start with the vegetables that take longer to cook, like onions and carrots, and then add the quicker-cooking vegetables. This will ensure that all your vegetables are cooked perfectly and nothing is overcooked or mushy.

How to make stir fry in an air fryer

Ingredients

You can use a variety of ingredients to make a stir fry in an air fryer. Here are some suggestions:

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into bite-sized pieces. You can also use other proteins such as beef, shrimp, tofu, or chickpeas.
• Vegetables: Bell peppers, red onion, mushrooms, broccoli, zucchini, carrots, snow peas, or any other vegetables of your choice.
• Oil: Light olive oil, sesame oil, or another cooking oil with a high smoke point (e.g. vegetable oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil).
• Seasoning: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, ground ginger, chilli flakes, or Chinese five spice.
• Sauce: Store-bought stir-fry sauce or a homemade sauce like teriyaki, honey garlic, or sweet and sour sauce.

Method

• Prepare the ingredients: Rinse and pat dry the vegetables, and cut them into even-sized pieces. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
• Marinate the chicken (optional): In a small bowl, combine ingredients like soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, chilli powder, and grated ginger. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to an hour.
• Preheat the air fryer: Set the air fryer to 375°F-400°F (depending on the model and your preference).
• Toss ingredients in oil and seasoning: Place the vegetables and chicken in a bowl, drizzle with oil, and add the desired seasonings. Toss to coat evenly.
• Cook the stir fry: Place the chicken and vegetables in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Shake or toss the ingredients a few times during cooking to ensure even cooking.
• Add sauce: While the chicken and vegetables are cooking, heat your chosen sauce in the microwave or on the stovetop. Once the stir fry is cooked, toss it with the sauce until well coated.
• Serve: Your air fryer stir fry is now ready to be served! You can serve it with rice, noodles, or on its own.

Tips

• If using a cake pan in the air fryer basket, preheat the air fryer with the pan inside for 3 minutes before adding the ingredients.
• You can add the vegetables to the air fryer after the chicken has cooked for about 5 minutes to ensure they don't overcook.
• If your vegetables are crisping up too much, add a small amount of water to create a steaming effect.
• For frozen vegetables, air fry at 180°C/360°F for 8 minutes, then add oil and air fry for an additional 5 minutes at 200°C/400°F.

How to store stir fry

Firstly, it is important to let your leftovers cool down before storing them. Then, transfer your stir fry to an airtight container or a resealable storage bag. You can keep your leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you want to keep them for longer, you can freeze them in a freezer food-safe container or an airtight covered container for up to 1 month.

It is worth noting that some people have reported that stir fry can get a little soggy after being stored, especially if there is too much sauce. To avoid this, you can try to separate the sauce from the stir fry before storing it, or you can also try to cook your stir fry to about 75% before storing it, and then finish cooking it later.

Additionally, the types of vegetables you use can make a difference. Some vegetables, like onions, squash, and peppers, tend to get softer when cooked, so they may not be the best option if you want your stir fry to stay crispy.

Finally, when you are ready to eat your leftovers, you can either eat them cold or reheat them. If you are reheating them, you can do so in the microwave, on the stove, or in an air fryer.

Reheating stir fry

Preparing the Stir Fry for Reheating:

Before reheating, ensure that your stir fry is stored properly. Leftover stir fry can be stored in an airtight container or a resealable bag and kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Reheating the Stir Fry in the Air Fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for about 3 minutes.
• Place the leftover stir fry in a cake pan or the air fryer basket. If using a cake pan, add 2-3 tablespoons of water to keep the stir fry moist.
• Reheat the stir fry for 3-5 minutes or until warmed through. If using the air fryer basket, be sure to stir the stir fry halfway through to ensure even heating.

Tips for Reheating Stir Fry:

• For best results, cut your vegetables and protein into even-sized pieces before cooking. This ensures that everything cooks at the same rate and reheats evenly.
• If your stir fry is drying out, add a small amount of water to the air fryer basket or cake pan during the reheating process.
• To prevent overcooking, check on your stir fry regularly during the reheating process, as the timing may vary depending on the quantity and power of your air fryer.
• If you're reheating a large quantity of stir fry, you may need to increase the reheating time.

Other Methods for Reheating Stir Fry:

While an air fryer is a convenient option, you can also reheat your stir fry using a wok or a cast-iron skillet:

• Add a small amount of oil to the wok and heat it over medium heat.
• Place the stir fry in the wok and continuously stir until warmed through.
• Preheat the cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
• Add a small amount of oil to the skillet.
• Place the stir fry in the skillet and stir until warmed through, similar to using a wok.

Frequently asked questions