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

Chilli con carne is a hearty, spicy dish that is perfect for a cold winter's evening. It's traditionally made with beef, tomatoes, onions, beans, and spices, and is often served with rice or corn chips. While it's typically cooked on a hob, it can also be made in an air fryer – a quick and easy method that doesn't require any additional oil. This guide will take you through the steps to make chilli con carne in an air fryer, as well as providing some useful tips and variations to the recipe.

Pre-cooking onions, peppers and chillies

To make chilli in an air fryer, you'll need to pre-cook the onions, peppers and chillies before adding the other ingredients. Here's a step-by-step guide:

First, preheat your air fryer to 180 degrees Celsius or 360 degrees Fahrenheit. While it's heating up, prepare your vegetables by slicing or dicing the onions, peppers and chillies. You can also add garlic at this stage if you like.

Next, place the vegetables in a silicone basket or heatproof dish that fits in your air fryer. Drizzle them with a small amount of oil – olive oil is a good option – and stir to coat them evenly.

Now you can put the vegetables into the preheated air fryer and cook them for around 5 minutes. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don't burn. This step will soften the vegetables and bring out their flavours.

Once the vegetables are cooked, you can add the rest of the ingredients to the air fryer, following your chosen recipe. Typically, you'll add minced beef or another type of meat, along with spices, stock, tomatoes and beans. Cook this mixture for several minutes, stirring regularly, until everything is cooked through and piping hot.

Pre-cooking the onions, peppers and chillies in the air fryer helps to soften them and release their flavours, adding depth and texture to your chilli con carne. This step also ensures that the vegetables cook evenly and don't burn, as they can easily overcook when fried with the other ingredients.

So, when making chilli in an air fryer, don't skip the important step of pre-cooking your onions, peppers and chillies!

Adding the beef

When adding the beef to your chilli con carne, it's important to ensure it is well-browned. Break up the mince with a fork and stir it into the onions and peppers. Return the mixture to the air fryer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring well halfway through. If the mince isn't browned after 5 minutes, continue cooking and stirring every 2 minutes or so until it is.

For the beef, you can use minced beef with 5% fat, but a higher fat content will cook better in the air fryer. Lean beef is also a good option, as it won't produce a lot of fat that can accumulate in the air fryer and cause smoking.

If you're using frozen beef, be sure to thaw it completely before adding it to the chilli. It's important to avoid adding rare or undercooked beef to the dish, as the meat should always be browned first before adding the other ingredients.

You can also add beef stock to your chilli con carne. Prepare about 400ml of beef stock using one stock cube, and add it in two batches to keep the chilli moist and prevent it from drying out and crisping.

Combining spices, stock and tomatoes

To make chilli in an air fryer, you'll need to combine spices, stock and tomatoes. This is a crucial step in creating a rich, flavourful base for your chilli. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

First, gather your ingredients: spices such as chilli powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and coriander; beef stock or broth; and canned or tinned chopped tomatoes. You can also include tomato puree or paste for added thickness and flavour.

Start by measuring out the spices according to your recipe. You can adjust the amounts to suit your taste preferences, but a good rule of thumb is to use about 1-2 teaspoons of each spice for a standard batch of chilli. You can always add more if you like it spicy!

Next, heat some olive oil in a separate pan on the hob. Add your spices to the warm oil and cook them for a few minutes. This process, known as blooming, helps to release the flavours and aromas of the spices. Stir frequently to avoid burning.

Now, it's time to add the liquid. Pour in your beef stock and give everything a good stir. Go slowly and be careful of splashing. If you're using tomato puree, add it now and mix well until you have a smooth, cohesive mixture.

Finally, add the chopped tomatoes. You can use whole, crushed, or diced tomatoes, depending on your preference for texture. Stir them into the spiced stock. If using whole tomatoes, you may need to break them up a bit with your spoon or spatula.

At this point, you've created a delicious, aromatic base for your chilli. Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Remember, you can always add more spices, but it's difficult to tone them down if you've added too much, so it's best to add a little at a time.

Once you're happy with the flavour, you're ready to move on to the next step in your air fryer chilli recipe. Keep in mind that the spices, stock, and tomatoes form the foundation of your dish, so taking the time to prepare and combine them well is essential for a mouthwatering final product.

Feel free to experiment with different types of spices and ingredients to make your chilli truly unique!

Cooking the chilli

Now that you have gathered all your ingredients, it is time to cook your chilli con carne. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Preheat your air fryer to 180 degrees Celsius or 360 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a silicone basket or heatproof dish that fits in your fryer, add the red onion, red pepper, garlic, and chilli. Drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil and mix well. Place this in the air fryer and cook for 5 minutes.

Add the mince to the basket, breaking it apart with a fork and stirring it with the onions and peppers. Return the basket to the air fryer and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring it halfway through. If the mince isn't browned after 5 minutes, continue cooking and stirring every 2 minutes until it is.

Now, add the red wine, half of the beef stock, tinned chopped tomatoes, Henderson's Relish, cumin, chilli powder, smoked paprika, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and tomato puree. Stir this mixture well. Return the basket to the air fryer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring it well after 5 minutes.

Add the kidney beans and the remaining beef stock to the mixture and stir well. Return the basket to the air fryer and cook for another 10 minutes, stirring it after 5 minutes.

Check if the chilli is piping hot and serve. If not, stir and cook for another 5 minutes. Remember to stir regularly to prevent the top from drying out. If needed, add a cup of water or more stock to maintain the moisture. Make sure to stir in the kidney beans well to prevent them from exploding.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve chilli con carne, and it is a very versatile dish. It can be served with rice, which is considered a must by some, and this can be either simple white rice or brown rice. It can also be served with a salad, or with corn chips or tortilla chips for nachos. It can be topped with grated cheddar cheese, or served with a dollop of sour cream or yoghurt. For a more substantial meal, it can be wrapped in a burrito, or served with baked potatoes. For a lighter option, it can be served in a bowl with some tortilla chips and cheese. For those who like their chilli con carne with a kick, adding chilli powder will increase the heat.

Frequently asked questions