
Chilli con carne is a delicious, comforting meal that is perfect for a midweek dinner. It can be cooked on the hob or in an air fryer. The air fryer is a great alternative if you are short on time or don't have access to a hob. It is also a healthier option than cooking chilli on the hob, as it requires no extra oil. You can make chilli con carne in an air fryer in about an hour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of dish | Chilli con carne |
| Ingredients | Minced beef, onion, red pepper, red chilli, olive oil, ground spices, tomato puree, beef stock, canned tomatoes, canned beans, kidney beans, rice |
| Cook time | 30-60 minutes |
| Temperature | 180-190°C (350-400°F) |
| Stirring | Stir regularly to prevent drying out |
| Leftovers | Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-3 days or freeze for up to 2-3 months |
| Reheating | Preheat the air fryer to 350-400°F and heat for 3-4 minutes |
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What You'll Learn

Chilli con carne in an air fryer
Chilli con carne is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and spices. It can be cooked in an air fryer in about an hour, making it a quick and easy meal for busy weeknights. Here is a step-by-step guide to making delicious chilli con carne in an air fryer:
Ingredients
For this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Red pepper
- Garlic cloves
- Carrot
- Red chilli
- Minced beef
- Beef stock
- Tomato puree
- Worcestershire sauce
- Kidney beans
- Coriander
- Rice or other sides of your choice
Instructions
Now, let's get into the cooking process:
- Preheat your air fryer to 180-190°C (350-375°F).
- Chop your onion and add it to a mixing bowl with a drizzle of olive oil.
- De-seed and chop the red pepper and add it to the bowl.
- Cook the onion and pepper in the air fryer for 5 minutes at 190°C or until they start to soften.
- While they are cooking, grate your carrot and garlic cloves.
- Add the grated carrot and garlic to the air fryer and cook for another 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until all the vegetables are soft.
- Add the minced beef to the air fryer and cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned.
- Mix ground spices and seasoning with the tomato puree and stir this mixture into about half of your beef stock.
- Add the stock mixture and canned tomatoes to the air fryer pan. Cook for 25 minutes, stirring every 8 minutes.
- Add the kidney beans and the remaining beef stock. Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Serve with rice or any other sides of your choice.
Tips
- To enhance the flavor, add ingredients like smoked paprika, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, or a splash of Worcestershire sauce.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with plant-based meat or add more beans and vegetables.
- Ensure there is enough liquid in the air fryer to prevent the chilli from drying out. You can use beef broth or water, and stir regularly.
- If you want to make it spicier, add more chilli powder or include a fresh red chilli pepper.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
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Crispy chilli beef in an air fryer
Crispy chilli beef is a classic Chinese takeaway dish that can be made healthier at home using an air fryer. It's a simple, tasty dish with fewer calories than the non-air-fried version, and it's less messy and less hassle to make.
To make crispy chilli beef in an air fryer, start by thinly slicing your chosen cut of beef into uniform strips, slicing against the grain to ensure tender pieces of meat. A 300g sirloin steak is a good option. Put the steak strips in a bowl and add an egg, coating all the beef strips. Spray your air fryer basket with oil or line it with baking paper or foil to prevent sticking. Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (390°F) for five minutes. Place the beef strips in a bowl of cornflour/cornstarch, ensuring each strip is coated.
Next, heat your air fryer to 190°C and add the pepper, onion, and chilli, tossing them in vegetable oil. Cook for 10 minutes. To make the glaze, mix sesame seeds with all the other glaze ingredients in a small bowl. Pour the glaze over the vegetables and return them to the air fryer for 2 minutes. Now, increase the air fryer temperature to 200°C. Add the cornflour, Chinese five-spice, and remaining vegetable oil to the beef, coating it well. Lay the coated beef slices in the air fryer in a single layer, allowing space for air circulation. You may need to do this in batches. Cook the beef strips for about 7 minutes until they are crispy, shaking the tray halfway through to ensure even cooking.
While the beef is crisping, make the sauce. Combine sweet chilli sauce, tomato ketchup, rice wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar, Sriracha sauce, and minced garlic in a saucepan. Stir well, then add sliced red peppers and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Once the beef is ready, add it to the pan with the sauce and peppers, stirring until each strip is coated. Sprinkle sesame seeds and sliced spring onions over the top before serving.
This dish is best served immediately to enjoy the crispy beef, but leftovers can be stored and reheated in the air fryer later. It goes well with plain steamed rice, egg-fried rice, or noodles, and can be part of a wider Chinese meal.
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Ingredients and preparation
Air fryer chilli is a quick, easy, and delicious meal that can be prepared in about an hour. It is perfect for busy weeknights and can be made with minimal preparation and clean-up. Here is a list of ingredients and step-by-step instructions on how to prepare chilli in an air fryer:
Ingredients:
- Minced beef (ideally 5% fat lean minced beef)
- Onion
- Red pepper
- Red chilli
- Olive oil
- Ground spices (coriander, cumin, paprika, turmeric, chilli flakes)
- Tomato puree
- Beef stock
- Canned tomatoes
- Kidney beans or other beans (black beans, pinto beans, chickpeas)
- Salt and pepper
- Optional: Red wine, Henderson's relish, rice, cheese, or other sides/garnishes
Preparation:
- Start by peeling and chopping the onion and adding it to a mixing bowl with a drizzle of olive oil. You can also add other vegetables like carrots and garlic cloves, grated or chopped, for extra flavour.
- Deseed and chop the red pepper and add it to the bowl. You can also add fresh red chilli (or chilli powder) to the mix if you want to make the dish spicier.
- Place the onion, pepper, and chilli mixture in the air fryer drawer and cook at 190°C for about 5 minutes, or until they start to soften.
- While the vegetables are cooking, prepare the mince by mixing it with the ground spices, a dash of olive oil, and seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Add the seasoned mince to the air fryer and mix it with the vegetables. Cook at 190°C for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally to break up the mince and ensure even cooking.
- After the mince has browned, add the tomato puree, beef stock, and any additional sauces or seasonings (like Worcestershire sauce or Henderson's relish). Turn the temperature down to 180°C and continue cooking for 5 to 8 minutes.
- Finally, add the canned tomatoes and beans and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve with your choice of sides and garnishes, such as rice, cheese, or pitta bread.
Note: It is important to stir the chilli regularly and ensure there is enough liquid to prevent the top from drying out in the dry heat of the air fryer. Also, be cautious when adding sauce directly to the air fryer, as it can cause a mess. It is recommended to use a silicone pan or basket inside the air fryer for easier clean-up.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for chilli in an air fryer depend on the type of chilli you are preparing. Here are the cooking times and temperatures for some common types of chilli:
Air Fryer Chilli Con Carne
Air fryer chilli con carne is a quick and easy way to make this comforting family classic. It requires no extra oil and is perfect for busy weeknights. The cooking time for chilli con carne in an air fryer is about an hour.
To make chilli con carne in an air fryer, start by peeling and chopping your onion and adding it to a mixing bowl with a drizzle of olive oil. De-seed and chop a pepper and add it to the bowl. You can cook the onions and peppers in the air fryer drawer at 190 degrees Celsius for 5 minutes or until they start to soften. While they are cooking, grate your carrot and garlic cloves. Add the grated carrot and garlic to the air fryer and cook for another 3 minutes until all the vegetables are soft and starting to brown.
Next, add the mince and spices to the mixing bowl. You can use a combination of ground coriander, cumin, paprika, turmeric, and chilli flakes. Season with salt and pepper and add a dash of olive oil. Mix well. Add the seasoned mince to the air fryer and mix with the vegetables. Cook at 190 degrees Celsius for 8 minutes or until the mince has browned. Remember to stir a few times to break up the mince and prevent it from drying out.
After the mince is browned, add the beef stock, tomato puree, Worcestershire sauce, and kidney beans. Turn the temperature down to 180 degrees Celsius and cook for an additional 5 to 8 minutes.
Air Fryer Crispy Chilli Beef
If you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal, air fryer crispy chilli beef is a great option. It takes about 30 minutes to prepare and cook.
To make crispy chilli beef, start by combining the marinade ingredients in a bowl. Add steak strips and coat them with the marinade. You can leave it in the fridge for up to 24 hours, or you can proceed to the next step. Sprinkle cornflour over the steak and mix until coated.
Place the beef on the cooking rack in the air fryer and cook for 6 minutes. Then turn the beef and cook for another 4-6 minutes until crispy. In a separate wok, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over high heat. Add garlic, ginger, chilli, pepper, and spring onions, stir-frying for 2-3 minutes until the pepper softens. Be careful not to burn the garlic and ginger.
Add vinegar, soy sauce, sweet chilli sauce, and tomato ketchup to the wok and mix well. Cook for another minute. Finally, add the beef to the wok and toss it with the sauce. Continue cooking for one more minute until it is piping hot. Serve with spring onion greens and extra sauce on the side.
Reheating Chilli Con Carne in an Air Fryer
You can also use your air fryer to reheat leftover chilli con carne. Preheat the air fryer to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit and heat the chilli for 3-4 minutes. This is a great way to enjoy your leftovers, and it tastes just as good as freshly cooked chilli con carne.
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Serving suggestions
Air fryer chilli is a quick, easy, and delicious meal that can be served in many ways. Here are some serving suggestions to make the most of your dish:
Rice
Rice is a classic side dish to serve with chilli. It provides a great base for the flavours of the chilli to shine, and helps to make the meal more filling and satisfying. For an extra flavour boost, try adding some frozen sweetcorn to the rice.
Breads
Pitta breads are a great option to serve with chilli, providing a vessel to scoop up every last bit of the dish. For a more Mexican-inspired meal, you could use tortillas and make tacos or burritos.
Cheese
Grated cheese is a popular topping for chilli, adding a creamy texture and savoury flavour.
Sides
Chilli can be served with a variety of sides, such as frozen chopped coriander, chopped jalapenos, or a crisp salad.
Storage and Reheating
If you have leftover chilli, it can be stored in the fridge for up to four days or frozen for up to three months. When reheating chilli, an air fryer is a great option to bring the dish back to life, ensuring a delicious, hot meal.
Air fryer chilli is a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit your taste preferences and can be served in a variety of ways, making it a great option for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 30 minutes to cook chilli in an air fryer. This includes the time taken to cook the vegetables, meat, and sauce separately.
Preheat the air fryer to between 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Yes, you can cook chilli con carne in an air fryer. It is a quick, easy, and delicious alternative to cooking on a hob.











































