Air Fryer Fajitas: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a great way to make fajitas, whether you're using chicken, steak, or a vegetarian option. They're quick, easy, and a fun way to get the whole family involved with dinner. You can make fajitas in an air fryer in under 30 minutes, and they're a great option if you're looking for a low-carb, keto, paleo, or gluten-free meal.

Choosing your meat

The most popular choice of meat for fajitas is chicken, specifically boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Chicken thighs can also be used, but they will be slightly harder to work with when cutting into strips. Chicken is a great lean-protein option.

If you're looking for an alternative to chicken, you can also use steak. Flank steak or top sirloin are good options, with flank steak being the pricier option. For steak fajitas, it is recommended to slice the meat against the grain into thin strips, about 1/4 inch thick.

For vegetarians, tofu strips can be used as a meat alternative.

Preparing your vegetables

First, you'll want to select your vegetables. Bell peppers and onions are classic fajita vegetables, but you can also add zucchini, corn, or other vegetables of your choice. For the peppers, you can use any colour, but keep in mind that red and orange tend to be sweeter, while yellow is more mild, and green is the most 'spicy' or earthy tasting.

Next, you'll want to slice your vegetables. For peppers, slice them into strips or slices about 1/2 inch thick. For onions, cut them in half and then slice them into wedges or slices, again about 1/2 inch thick. You can also slice a zucchini into 1/2 inch thick slices if using. Try to slice your vegetables uniformly so that they cook evenly in the air fryer.

Once your vegetables are sliced, place them in a large bowl and toss them with oil. You can use any type of oil, such as vegetable, canola, avocado, olive, or grapeseed oil. You'll want to use enough oil to coat the vegetables lightly, about 1-3 tablespoons.

After the vegetables are coated in oil, it's time to add the seasoning. You can use store-bought fajita seasoning or make your own mix using spices like chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and a pinch of sugar. Sprinkle the seasoning over the vegetables and toss to coat evenly.

Making a marinade

Firstly, decide on the type of meat you would like to use. Chicken breast and steak are the most popular options. Cut the meat into thin slices or strips. For chicken, it is recommended to use boneless, skinless chicken breast. For steak, flank steak or top sirloin are good options, with flank steak being the preferred choice.

Next, prepare your marinade. A simple marinade can be made using olive oil, lime juice, pineapple juice, soy sauce, and spices such as garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper. You can also add a pinch of sugar to help with caramelisation during cooking. Combine all your ingredients and pour the marinade over the meat.

Place the meat in the refrigerator and allow it to marinate for 2-4 hours. This will give the meat time to absorb the flavours of the marinade and become tender.

Once the meat has finished marinating, you can cook it in your air fryer along with your chosen vegetables.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for air fryer fajitas will vary depending on the ingredients used and the model of the air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide with approximate timings and temperatures:

• Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F (190-200°C). Most recipes recommend preheating for about 5 minutes.
• Prepare your ingredients by slicing the chicken into strips or pieces, and slicing the peppers and onions. The chicken should be cut into strips or pieces that are about 1/4-1/2 inch thick.
• Combine the chicken, peppers, and onions in a large bowl. Add oil and your choice of seasonings, and toss to coat the ingredients evenly. You can use store-bought fajita seasoning or make your own mix with spices like chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and a pinch of sugar.
• Place the mixture in the air fryer basket or tray. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket to allow for even cooking. If needed, you can use foil or a silicone liner to reduce mess.
• Air fry at 380-400°F (190-200°C) for 15-20 minutes. For steak fajitas, you may need a shorter cooking time, around 15-17 minutes. Stir or toss the ingredients halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
• Check the doneness of the chicken or steak using a kitchen thermometer. The internal temperature of the meat should reach 165°F (75°C) for chicken and 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare steak. Adjust the cooking time as needed.
• Once the fajita mixture is cooked to your desired level of doneness, transfer it to a bowl and pour any juices from the bottom of the air fryer basket over the fajitas. Mix well.
• Serve the fajitas with your choice of toppings and sides, such as warmed tortillas, rice, quinoa, lettuce, guacamole, salsa, cheese, sour cream, or lime wedges.

Note: The cooking time and temperature may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your ingredients, so adjust as needed. Always refer to your air fryer's instructions for specific guidelines.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve air fryer fajitas. You can either have them with bread or without it. For a keto or low-carb option, you can skip the bread and have chicken fajita bowls. You can top the bowls with guacamole, pico de gallo, lime crema, pineapple salsa, lime wedges, fresh cilantro, etc.

If you want to include bread, you can wrap the filling in tortilla bread. You can use wheat tortillas, corn tortillas, or gluten-free tortilla bread.

You can also serve the fajita filling on a bed of quinoa and lettuce with salsa, cilantro, and guacamole. For a lighter option, you can create your own bowls by adding cooked quinoa and shredded romaine lettuce to a bowl, along with the filling, and toppings such as guacamole and salsa.

Some other serving suggestions include serving the fajitas with rice, cauliflower rice, a wrap, or a salad.

Frequently asked questions