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A black bowl filled with air fryer crispy chilli beef with onions, sesame seeds, and sliced spring onions, served with fried rice. The bowl is on a wooden surface next to a blue/grey napkin, a pair of chopsticks and a small dish of sesame seeds.
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Air Fryer Crispy Chilli Beef Recipe

My favourite dish from the Chinese takeaway made in the air fryer! Crispy strips of beef with little slivers on onion in a tangy spicy sauce. It's ready in 25 minutes!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Keyword: air fryer, Any Time Of the year, Chinese New Year
Servings: 4 people
Author Nicky Corbishley

Ingredients

Crispy Beef:

  • 450 g (1 lb) minute steak (thin steak) cut into thin strips *Note1
  • 1 egg
  • 5 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch in USA)
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ⅛ tsp white pepper
  • spray oil (I use around 15 ml/1 tbsp altogether)
  • 1 medium onion peeled and sliced into thin strips

Sauce:

  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp ground ginger
  • ½ tsp chilli flakes (red pepper flakes)
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 3 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp tomato puree (paste for USA)
  • 6 tbsp caster sugar or superfine sugar
  • 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
  • 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce I use Thai-style

Instructions

  • Place the steak strips in a bowl and add the egg. Mix together to thoroughly coat the steak in the egg.
    450 g (1 lb) minute steak (thin steak), 1 egg
  • Add the cornflour, salt, pepper, and white pepper.
    5 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch in USA), ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, 1/8 tsp white pepper
  • Toss together to coat the steak. It will be a sticky mixture.
  • One at a time (so the pieces don't stick), add the steak to the basket of the air fryer, in a single layer. You may have to work in two batches so as not to overcrowd the basket.
    spray oil
  • Spray the steak with spray oil and cook in the air fryer at 240C/457F (I use the 'max crisp' function to enable this temperature *see note 2 below) for 8-9 minutes, shaking twice during the cooking time, until the steak strips are browned and crispy.
    Strips of crispy beef and cooked onion slices in an air fryer basket, viewed from above.
  • While the steak is cooking, make the sauce. Mix all of the sauce ingredients together in a small sauce pan. Heat over a medium-high heat, while stirring, until it comes to a boil. Then turn off the heat and put to one side.
    *To microwave the sauce instead: Stir the ingredients together in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring once, halfway through cooking, until the sauce is piping hot and bubbling slightly at the edges.
    1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp ground ginger, 1/2 tsp chilli flakes (red pepper flakes), 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 3 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp tomato puree, 6 tbsp caster sugar, 2 tbsp tomato ketchup, 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
  • Once the steak has been in the air fryer for 8-9 minutes, add the sliced onions. Toss together with the steak and spray with a little more spray oil. Cook for a further 4-5 minutes, now at 200C/400F (regular air fryer setting), until the onion softens and browns slightly.
    1 medium onion
  • Reheat the sauce for 30 seconds or so if it's cooled, then place transfer the steak strips to a bowl. Pour over the sauce and toss together to coat the steak.
    Chilli beef sauce is being poured over a bowl of crispy chilli beef strips and sliced onions on a wooden table.
  • Serve with rice or noodles.

Notes

*Note 1 - Slicing the steak

It's easier to cut the steak into thin strips if you place it in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm up a little. Cut the steak against the grain to ensure it doesn't go tough and chewy when cooking.

*Note 2 - Max Crisp Function

I have a Ninja air fryer that has a 'Max Crisp' function that goes up to 240C/475F. If your air fryer doesn't go that high, then use the maximum temperature (often this is 200C/400F) and cook for 1-2 minutes longer.

Can I freeze it or make it ahead?

This recipe works best when made and served right away. Freezing/chilling then reheating means the beef won't be crispy.
However, it does still taste really good. So if you did want to freeze it, then cool, cover and freeze. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly in the wok or a microwave until piping hot throughout. You can add a splash of water if it's a little dry.

Nutritional information is approximate, per serving (this recipes serves 4).

 

Nutrition

Calories: 338kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 1203mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 26g

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