Air-Fryer Stir Fry: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Air fryers are a convenient and healthy way to cook a stir fry. You can use a variety of meats, including chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu, or keep it simple with just vegetables. The key to a successful stir fry in an air fryer is to ensure even cooking and prevent vegetables from becoming soggy. This can be achieved by stirring the ingredients occasionally and adding a small amount of oil or water if needed. You can also marinate the meat beforehand to enhance the flavor.

Choosing your ingredients

Protein Options:

You can opt for chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu as your main source of protein. Chicken breast is a classic choice for stir-fries, but feel free to use skinless chicken thighs or sliced sirloin beef for variety. If you're feeling adventurous, try shrimp, beef strips, or tofu cubes. You can even use leftover roasted chicken or other cooked meats. Just ensure that your protein is sliced into thin, bite-sized pieces for quick and even cooking.

Vegetable Choices:

When it comes to vegetables, the options are endless. Classic stir-fry veggies include bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, broccoli florets, and green beans. But don't be afraid to experiment with zucchini, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, snap peas, cauliflower rice, or carrots. You can use fresh or frozen vegetables, depending on what's available and your preference. Just ensure that the vegetables are cut into small, evenly sized pieces for the best results.

Aromatics and Seasonings:

Aromatics like garlic and ginger can add a ton of flavor to your stir fry. Mince or grate them finely and add them to your marinade or directly to the air fryer basket. For seasonings, soy sauce, coconut aminos, oyster sauce, and sesame oil are excellent choices. You can also add chili powder or chili flakes for a spicy kick. Don't forget to season with salt and pepper to taste.

Carbohydrate Companions:

Stir fry is often served with a carbohydrate side dish. You can choose from a variety of rice options, including white rice, brown rice, basmati rice, jasmine rice, or cauliflower rice. Noodles are also a great option, and you can use either frozen or microwaveable varieties to save time.

Marinade Magic:

Creating a delicious marinade can take your stir fry to the next level. In a small bowl, combine ingredients like soy sauce, minced garlic, honey, rice vinegar, olive oil, and a dash of chili powder or brown sugar if you like a touch of sweetness. Whisk everything together, and then add your protein to the bowl, tossing to coat evenly. Allow the protein to marinate for at least 30 minutes or even overnight for maximum flavor infusion.

Remember, the beauty of making stir fry in an air fryer is its versatility. You can adapt the ingredients to your taste preferences and dietary needs. So, feel free to experiment with different combinations of proteins, vegetables, and seasonings to create your signature stir fry masterpiece!

Preparing your meat and vegetables

Choosing the Meat:

The beauty of a stir fry is its versatility when it comes to protein options. You can go for classic choices like chicken breast, chicken thighs, or beef sirloin. If you're feeling adventurous, try using shrimp, sliced sirloin beef, tofu, or even chickpeas for a vegetarian option. Just ensure your meat is sliced into thin, bite-sized pieces for quick and even cooking.

Marinating the Meat:

To add flavour to your meat, create a marinade by combining ingredients like soy sauce, coconut aminos, honey, rice vinegar, olive oil, minced garlic, brown sugar, chili powder, or freshly grated ginger. Toss the meat in this marinade and let it sit for at least 30 minutes or even overnight in the refrigerator. This process enhances the flavour and tenderness of the meat.

Selecting the Vegetables:

Stir fries typically use a variety of vegetables, such as bell pepper slices, red onion, mushrooms, broccoli florets, green beans, zucchini, or snow peas. You can also add frozen vegetables or use pre-sliced or frozen options to reduce prep time.

Preparing the Vegetables:

Finely slice, chop, or dice your chosen vegetables into small, even pieces to ensure uniform cooking. You can also add softer vegetables, like onions, towards the beginning of the cooking process, followed by the firmer ones, to get that perfect stir-fry crunch.

Timing and Temperature:

When it comes to cooking, timing and temperature are essential. Preheat your air fryer to around 375°F to 400°F (about 190°C to 200°C). Depending on the type of meat and vegetables you're using, the cooking time will vary. For instance, chicken typically takes around 5-6 minutes initially, followed by an additional 7-8 minutes after adding the vegetables. Beef, on the other hand, may take around 8-10 minutes in total. Always check that your meat is cooked to the recommended internal temperature, such as 165°F for chicken.

Making a marinade

Ingredients:

• Soy sauce: This is a key ingredient in the marinade, providing a savoury and umami flavour to your stir fry. You can use regular soy sauce or opt for low-sodium coconut aminos if you prefer.
• Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is a popular choice for stir-fry marinades, but you can also use other types of oil such as sesame oil, avocado oil, or canola oil.
• Acid: Adding an acidic ingredient like rice vinegar or white wine vinegar helps to round out the flavour profile of your marinade. It adds a tangy touch to the dish.
• Sweetness: A small amount of honey or maple syrup balances out the savoury notes and adds a subtle sweetness to your stir fry.
• Aromatics: Garlic is a must-have in any stir-fry marinade. Use freshly minced garlic cloves or garlic powder if fresh garlic is unavailable. You can also include grated ginger to enhance the aroma and add a subtle spicy kick.
• Spices: Feel free to experiment with spices like chilli flakes, black pepper, or Italian seasoning to give your marinade a unique twist.

Instructions:

• Combine the ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oil, vinegar, honey or maple syrup, garlic, ginger, and any additional spices you wish to include. Whisk vigorously until all the ingredients are well combined and emulsified.
• Prepare the protein: Cut your choice of protein (such as chicken, beef, or tofu) into bite-sized pieces or thin strips. You can use chicken breasts, chicken thighs, beef sirloin, or firm tofu for this step.
• Marinate: Place the protein in a bowl or a sealable bag. Pour the marinade over the protein, ensuring that each piece is thoroughly coated. Cover the bowl or seal the bag, and let the protein marinate in the refrigerator. For chicken, a minimum of 30 minutes to an hour is recommended. For beef, aim for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavours to penetrate the meat.
• Air fry: Once your protein has finished marinating, you can proceed to cook it in the air fryer following the standard air fryer stir fry instructions. Preheat your air fryer, place the marinated protein inside, and cook according to your desired level of doneness.

Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and spices to create a marinade that suits your taste preferences. You can also adjust the quantities of each ingredient to personalise the flavour profile of your stir fry.

Cooking your stir fry

Now that you have gathered your ingredients, it is time to start cooking your stir fry in the air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Step 1: Prepare the marinade

In a small bowl, combine your choice of oil (sesame oil, olive oil, or vegetable oil), soy sauce, and other seasonings like brown sugar, chili powder, Sriracha, or grated ginger. Whisk these ingredients together until well combined to create your marinade. You can also add minced garlic to this mixture for some extra flavour.

Step 2: Marinate the protein

Take your choice of protein (chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu) and cut it into thin strips or bite-sized pieces. Place the protein in a bowl or sealable bag, and pour the marinade over it. Toss or mix well to ensure that all the pieces are evenly coated. Put the marinated protein in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 15 minutes, or even overnight for more intense flavour.

Step 3: Prepare the vegetables

While the protein is marinating, it is a good time to prepare your vegetables. Finely chop or slice your chosen vegetables into uniform pieces. Bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, snow peas, broccoli, carrots, and zucchini are all great options for a stir fry. You can also use frozen vegetables if you prefer.

Step 4: Preheat the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 375°F and 400°F (or around 190°C-200°C). Place a cake pan or air fryer basket inside the air fryer during preheating to heat it up as well. This step is important as it helps to mimic the high heat of a traditional stir fry.

Step 5: Cook the protein and vegetables

Once the air fryer is preheated, it is time to cook your stir fry. First, add a couple of tablespoons of oil to the cake pan or air fryer basket. Then, place the marinated protein in the air fryer and cook for 5-6 minutes. After this initial cooking time, add your prepared vegetables to the air fryer and toss or mix everything together. Close the air fryer and continue cooking for an additional 7-10 minutes, depending on the type of protein and your desired level of doneness.

Step 6: Toss and season

During the cooking process, it is important to toss or stir your stir fry a few times to ensure even cooking and to prevent sticking. You can also add a small amount of water (about 1/4 cup) to create some steam and prevent the ingredients from drying out. Before serving, taste your stir fry and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper or additional soy sauce if needed.

Step 7: Serve and enjoy

Your stir fry is now ready to be served! You can enjoy it as-is or serve it with a side of rice, noodles, or even on top of a salad. If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze them for later.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve your stir fry, and it is a great dish to serve on its own. However, if you are looking to bulk out your meal, there are some great options.

Rice is a classic side dish to accompany a stir fry. You could serve your stir fry with cauliflower rice, steamed rice, white rice, brown rice, basmati rice, or wild rice.

If you want to be a little more adventurous, you could try serving your stir fry with mashed potatoes, or sweet potatoes. You could also serve it with Air Fryer fried rice, or Instant Pot long- grain rice.

If you want to add some extra protein to your meal, you could serve your stir fry with Air Fryer Chinese Chicken Wings, or Slow Cooker Chinese Spare Ribs. For a vegetarian option, try Air Fryer Crispy Tofu or extra-firm tofu.

If you want to keep things simple, a side salad or some flatbread can accompany your stir fry.

Frequently asked questions