Air-Fried Steak Fajitas: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Steak fajitas are a quick, easy, and delicious meal to make in an air fryer. This guide will teach you how to make juicy steak fajitas with tender vegetables, all cooked to perfection in your air fryer with minimal cleanup. You'll be surprised at how simple it is to get that grilled flavour using your air fryer!

Choosing the right steak

Types of Steak

When it comes to steak fajitas, there are a few types of steak that work well. Here are some options:

• Flank steak: This is a lean and relatively affordable cut of meat that comes from the abdominal muscles of the cow. It has a robust beefy flavour and can be quite tender if prepared correctly.
• Skirt steak: Skirt steak is another good option for fajitas. It comes from the diaphragm muscles of the cow and has a rich, beefy flavour. Skirt steak can be a bit tougher than flank steak, but it's also usually less expensive.
• Sirloin steak: Sirloin steak is a bit more expensive, but it's also very tender and flavourful. It comes from the lumbar region of the cow, and it's a popular choice for fajitas and other dishes.

Factors to Consider

When choosing your steak, there are a few factors to keep in mind:

• Price: The price of steak can vary significantly depending on the cut and the quality. If you're on a budget, flank steak or skirt steak might be a better option than sirloin.
• Tenderness: For fajitas, you'll want a steak that is relatively tender so that it's easy to chew and bite through. Flank steak and sirloin are both known for their tenderness, while skirt steak can be a bit chewier.
• Flavour: All of the steaks mentioned above have a distinct beefy flavour that works well in fajitas. However, some people find that sirloin has a slightly milder flavour than the other options.
• Availability: Depending on where you live and the time of year, certain types of steak may be more readily available than others. For example, flank steak and skirt steak are often considered "butcher's cuts" and may be harder to find at some grocery stores.

Preparation Tips

Once you've selected your steak, here are a few tips to help you prepare it for your air fryer fajitas:

• Slice against the grain: To ensure that your steak is tender and easy to chew, be sure to slice it against the grain into thin strips. This will shorten the muscle fibres and make the meat more tender.
• Marinate: Marinating your steak before cooking it can help to enhance its flavour and tenderness. A good marinade for steak fajitas might include ingredients like olive oil, lime juice, soy sauce, garlic, and spices.
• Don't overcook: Steak can become tough and chewy if it's overcooked. When cooking your steak in the air fryer, keep a close eye on it and use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. For medium-rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 130-135°F (54-57°C).

Marinating the meat

To make the marinade, you can use a combination of olive oil, lime juice, soy sauce, garlic, cumin, and chili powder. Pineapple juice can also be added as it is known to tenderise steak. You can also add jalapeño chile powder, coriander, and garlic powder for extra flavour.

Once you have prepared your marinade, add the steak to a large zip-top bag and pour in the marinade. Seal the bag, ensuring you have removed any excess air, and place it in the refrigerator. The steak should be left to marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours, or even overnight.

When you are ready to cook your steak fajitas, remove the steak from the refrigerator and drain the marinade. Blot the steak dry with paper towels and let it come to room temperature before slicing it into strips.

Preparing the vegetables

Next, place the vegetables in a mixing bowl and drizzle them with olive oil or another cooking oil of your choice. You can also add other seasonings at this point, such as salt and pepper or fajita seasoning. Toss the vegetables until they are evenly coated with oil and seasonings.

After the vegetables are prepared, you can place them in the air fryer basket. If you want to reduce mess, you can line the basket with foil or a silicone liner before adding the vegetables. However, make sure that the foil does not block the circulation of air.

Once the vegetables are in the air fryer, you can cook them for 7-10 minutes at a temperature between 360°F and 400°F. Halfway through the cooking time, you should shake the basket to ensure even cooking.

Your vegetables are now ready to be served with your steak fajitas!

Cooking the fajitas

Now that your steak has been sliced and marinated, and your peppers and onions prepared, it's time to cook your fajita filling.

First, cook your vegetables. Place your sliced peppers and onions in the air fryer basket. You can line the basket with foil or a silicone liner to make cleaning up easier, but this is optional. Spray or drizzle oil over the vegetables, and season with salt and pepper. Close the basket and cook at 360°F-400°F for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, open the basket and stir the vegetables. Place your steak pieces on top of the vegetables, ensuring they are evenly spread. Close the basket and cook for a further 5-10 minutes at the same temperature, or until the steak is cooked to your liking.

Once the steak is cooked, stir the steak and vegetables together and serve over tortillas with your favourite toppings.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve your steak fajitas. Here are some suggestions:

Classic Tacos and Burritos

Fill homemade tortillas with your steak and veggies. You can add cheese, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and any other taco toppings you like.

Fajita Bowl with Rice or Quinoa

Serve your fajitas over a bed of fluffy rice or quinoa. Top with fresh salsa, sliced avocado, and a squeeze of lime.

Fajita Salad

Transform your fajitas into a vibrant salad by placing the steak strips and veggies on a bed of mixed greens. You can also add cherry tomatoes, black beans, and some avocado lime cilantro ranch dressing.

Fajita Quesadillas

Layer your air fryer steak fajitas between two flour tortillas with a generous amount of melted cheese. Cook in a hot skillet until crispy.

Fajita Nachos

Spread some tortilla chips on a baking sheet and top them with your fajita filling. Add melted cheese, jalapeños, and homemade salsa.

Fajita Stuffed Pepper

Add the fajita filling to hollowed-out bell peppers. Top with melted cheese and bake until the peppers are tender.

Sides and Extras

You can also serve your steak fajitas with some Spanish rice, Mexican street corn pasta salad, or Mexican coleslaw. For drinks, a tangy margarita would pair well.

Frequently asked questions