Air-Fried Philly Cheesesteak: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Philly Cheesesteaks are a staple sandwich in the United States. The traditional recipe includes thinly sliced steak, onions, and cheese, all piled into a hoagie roll. This paragraph will discuss how to make this delicious sandwich in an air fryer.

Choosing the right steak

The best Philly Cheesesteaks are made with thinly sliced steak. The most common cut of meat used is ribeye, but you can also use flank steak, skirt steak, or sirloin. If you're making a Chicken Philly Cheesesteak, simply cook the chicken for 10 minutes, then for an additional 5-8 minutes after flipping, and allow to rest before slicing.

If you're on a budget, opt for a cheaper cut of meat such as flank steak or skirt steak. Remember that each cut of meat will have a different flavour profile and varying qualities, so be sure you're aware of the differences and are okay with any changes in flavour and texture.

If you're having trouble slicing the meat thinly, try freezing it for around 15 minutes to let it firm up. You can also ask your butcher to slice the steak for you.

Preparing the veggies

The veggies used in a Philly cheesesteak are typically onions and peppers. Some recipes also include mushrooms. To prepare the veggies, start by slicing the onions and peppers into thin strips or slices. You can also add some salt to the veggies to help draw out the moisture and add flavour. If you're short on time, you can buy pre-sliced veggies at the store.

Next, heat up some oil in a skillet or pan on medium heat. You can use olive oil or vegetable oil. Once the oil is hot, add the sliced onions and peppers to the pan and saute them until they're soft and translucent. If you're using mushrooms, add them to the pan now and saute until they start to soften.

Once the veggies are cooked to your liking, remove them from the pan and set them aside. If you're making the cheesesteak in an air fryer, you can place the veggies in a bowl and let them cool to room temperature for about 30 minutes before adding them to the air fryer with the steak.

Marinating the meat

Firstly, choose your cut of beef. Ribeye is a popular choice for Philly cheesesteaks, but you can also use a more economical cut like sirloin, flank steak, or skirt steak. The important thing is to thinly slice the meat, which you can do yourself or ask your butcher to do for you.

Next, prepare a marinade. A simple marinade can be made with just two ingredients: soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce. You can also add seasonings like salt and pepper, or steak seasoning. Place the sliced meat in a bowl and pour over the marinade, stirring to ensure all the meat is coated. Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge to marinate for at least four hours, or even overnight.

Once the meat has finished marinating, remove it from the fridge and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. During this time, you can prepare your vegetables and other sandwich fillings.

After marinating, the meat is ready to be cooked in the air fryer with your chosen vegetables. Depending on your recipe, you may want to add the vegetables to the meat and marinade before cooking, or cook them separately. Either way, the air fryer's ability to cook everything together will ensure your Philly cheesesteak is full of flavour.

Cooking the steak and veggies

The first step is to slice the steak into thin strips. This is easiest done by placing the steak in the freezer for 15 minutes to let it firm up. Then, you can easily slice it with a sharp knife.

Next, prepare a marinade for the steak. In a bowl, add the steak, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to coat the steak, cover the bowl, and leave it to marinate in the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight.

About 30 minutes before you're ready to cook, remove the steak from the refrigerator to let it come to room temperature. In a separate bowl, combine the sliced onions, peppers, and mushrooms (if using). You can also add some seasoned salt, ground mustard, and black pepper to taste. Stir to coat the veggies with the spices and oil.

Now, it's time to cook the steak and veggies. Place them in the basket of your air fryer and cook at a temperature between 380-400°F for 12-15 minutes. Shake the basket or toss the contents halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.

Once the steak and veggies are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and set them aside.

Assembling the sandwich

Now that you have all your ingredients ready, it's time to assemble the Philly cheesesteak sandwich!

First, prepare your hoagie rolls. You can add butter to the outside of the rolls before filling them up with the meat mixture, or spread the insides with butter and place them in the air fryer basket, tops down, for about 2-3 minutes until lightly toasted. You can skip this step if you prefer a softer roll.

Next, divide the steak evenly between your hoagie rolls. If you're using cheese slices, place one slice of cheese in the bottom of each roll, followed by the steak. If you're using shredded cheese, simply mix it with the steak before adding it to the roll.

After filling the rolls with steak, top each sandwich with another slice of cheese. You can tuck the cheese into the sides of the roll, or use a toothpick to secure it if needed.

Finally, wrap each sandwich tightly in foil and return it to the air fryer for an additional 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese. If you skipped the toasting step, you may want to leave the sandwiches in the air fryer a little longer to ensure the bread is also heated through.

And that's it! Your Philly cheesesteak sandwiches are now ready to serve and enjoy.

Frequently asked questions