This air fryer crispy chilli beef is a healthier take on an old favorite. Top Sirloin steak strips are tossed with cornstarch to give a crispy texture without all the breading and air-fried until tender and juicy. Then, they're combined with perfectly sauteed pepper and snow peas and a tasty sauce.
Crispy chilli beef is always a delicious option when you're craving a big kick of Asian flavor for dinner. However, if you like to keep things light, you might not always opt for this dish.
We've created a better-for-you version that uses cornstarch to give the beef a crispy coating without breading and the air fryer to give the beef a great texture without a ton of grease or annoying cleanup.
Combine those perfectly cooked strips with red bell peppers, sugar snow peas, and a zesty Asian sauce, and you've got yourself a meal packed with flavor that you can feel good about.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Like all of our recipes, this one uses basic ingredients you can find in any grocery store.
- Easy: This is an easy air fryer recipe that only takes a few simple steps, and it's finished in just 30 minutes from start to finish.
- Better for You: Using cornstarch and the air fryer to get a crispy coating, this recipe gives you all the flavor and texture of the classic with fewer calories and easier cleanup.
- Convenient: With so little effort and time required, this is a convenient recipe to make whenever you get the craving for it.
- Authentic Flavor: We've made this recipe healthier, but we haven't changed its authentic Chinese flavor!
Ingredients
Beef and Vegetables
- Fajita Steak: Fajita steak strips are meaty and lean, perfect for quick cooking in the air fryer.
- Snow Peas Red Peppers: Snow peas and sliced red peppers are the classic beef pairing in Asian dishes.
- Cornstarch: Coating the beef in cornstarch gives the dish its crispy beef texture.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil keeps the veggies from sticking as they saute. We prefer Costabile olive oil for its quality and purity.
Sauce
- Hoisin Sauce: Hoisin gives the marinade a sweet, savory, and slightly tangy flavor.
- Sesame Oil: Sesame oil takes the place of vegetable oil to add a nutty flavor.
- Honey: Honey adds sweetness to the marinade.
- Sweet Chilli Sauce: Sweet chili sauce adds a sweet, peppery flavor with only a touch of heat.
- Sriracha: Sriracha adds a kick of sweet, tangy, garlicky, and spicy flavor.
- Rice Vinegar: Rice vinegar adds a tangy, acidic kick that balances the other ingredients.
- Seasonings: Minced garlic chili and ground ginger add a deep, savory, spicy kick of flavor.
- Chicken Broth and Cornstarch: A slurry of chicken broth and cornstarch adds a bit more flavor and thickens the sauce.
See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.
Flavor Variations
- Steak Strips: You can use skirt, hanger, flap, or flank steak strips for this recipe.
- Leaner meats: Chicken or pork strips work well in this recipe, as well.
- Seafood: Shrimp, crab, or lobster will work well with the flavors and air-fried coating in this recipe. Just remember to adjust your times accordingly to avoid overcooking.
- Extra Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or diced red chili peppers.
- More Veggies: You can substitute or add vegetables like broccoli, carrots, baby corn, spring onions, or bamboo.
- Soy Sauce: Add a dash of soy sauce for more classic flavor.
Instructions
Sauce
- Combine all the sauce ingredients except the chicken broth and cornstarch in a small bowl and set it aside.
Beef
- Add the beef and cornstarch to a large, resealable baggie and shake to coat.
- Add the beef to an air fryer with a basket lightly coated in oil and cook at 390 until crispy.
Vegetables
- While the beef is cooking, cook the vegetables over medium-low heat in a wok until just tender. Then, turn the heat to low and add the sauce.
- Make a slurry with the cornstarch and chicken broth and mix it into the sauce.
- By this time, the beef will be done. Add the strips to the wok and simmer until thickened. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
- While you CAN cook food in your air fryer without pre-heating it, you shouldn't do it. Preheating the air fryer only takes a few minutes, and it ensures even cooking and accurate cooking times.
- Be sure to preheat the oil in the wok before cooking the vegetables. It helps them begin cooking immediately, which helps retain their flavor and texture.
- This is a fast recipe, so it's easiest to mix the main part of your sauce before beginning to cook the rest of the dish.
Pairing Suggestions
You can serve this delicious air fryer crispy chilli beef recipe over rice noodles, rice, or even spaghetti noodles in a pinch. Of course, classic sides like wontons, egg rolls, and fried rice are always great choices, as well.
FAQ
Fajita beef strips are strips of beef cut from flank or skirt steak before being packaged and sold as fajita strips.
Air fryers are better than ovens at quickly and evenly cooking foods in small batches. They'll never take the place of ovens for large dishes. In general, we love our air fryer if we can fit the food in there!
Not usually. Sweet chili sauce does have a slight warmth, but normally, it's more sweet than anything else. Even kids will eat it. That being said, you can find spicy varieties.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
📖 Recipe
Air Fyer Crispy Chilli Beef
Ingredients
Sauce
- 3 tablespoon Hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon garlic chili minced
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 3 tablespoon honey
- 3 tablespoon sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Beef and Vegetables
- 1 ½ lbs fajita steak strips
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- ¼ lb snow peas
Instructions
Sauce
- Then, combine all the sauce ingredients except the cornstarch and chicken broth in a small bowl, mix well, and set aside.
Beef
- Lightly coat the bottom of your air fryer basket with coconut oil or oil of your choice. Then, set it to 390 to preheat.
- Add the beef strips and cornstarch to a large resealable baggie and shake well to coat.
- Place the coated strips in the air fryer basket and cook for 9 minutes. Then, toss them a bit and cook for another 3 minutes.
Vegetables
- Preheat the oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-low heat. Then, add the red peppers and snow peas and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Lower the heat to low and add the pre-mixed sauce. Then, make a slurry of the cornstarch and chicken broth and add it to the wok.
- Transfer the beef to the wok and stir well. Simmer for 2 to 4 minutes until thickened and serve.
Notes
- Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- Freeze for up to 2 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag.
- To reheat, defrost the beef overnight if frozen. Then, add it to a saucepan with a bit of water and cook over medium-low until heated through.
- Look for beef that has a bright red color, not dull or gray.
- If you can't find pre-packaged fajita strips, choose cuts like flank, skirt, or sirloin steak that have just a touch of marbling but are relatively lean. This beef will cook quickly, so there won't be time for excess fat to break down.
- Always preheat your air fryer for even cooking and exact cooking times. It's a myth that air fryers shouldn't be preheated.
- There's no need to shake the beef before adding it to the air fryer. The moisture from the beef will naturally cause the perfect amount of cornstarch to stick to it.
- This is a fast-moving recipe, so we recommend mixing your sauce prior to starting the rest of the recipe.
- A large wok works best because it gives you plenty of room to toss the vegetables as they cook.
Paula says
This crispy chili beef was incredibly tasty! Loved having it in a stir fry last night.
Liz says
SO delicious and flavorful! You'd never know it was a healthier version!
Krystle says
This came out surprisingly crispy. My BF and I loved it!
Swathi says
Air fryer chilli beef is delicious I have made it twice already. my family is your fan ask to make again.
Tisha says
The amount of flavor in this dish is incredible. Absolutely delicious!
Ben says
I made this last night, and it was awesome. Super easy and super delicious. I'd give it more than five stars if I could.
Lisa says
This was TOTALLY yum! I was so pleased with how crispy it turned out and I love this technique of using the air fryer. Great recipe.
Nora says
I love how you lightened up a takeout favorite without sacrificing that crispy texture—using sirloin and cornstarch in the air fryer is genius.
Matt says
This came out fantastic—spicy, crunchy, and full of flavor. It’s quickly become my favorite quick dinner!
Rob says
So flavorful and easy to make. I have made this recipe now several times, and love it more and more each time. The sauce is really delicious.
Nicole says
This air fryer crispy chilli beef is amazing!! I love being able to easily recreate one of my favorite takeout meals.
Ashley says
Such a great recipe! I'm always looking for new air fryer recipes to add to my lineup and this one is a winner!
Elizabeth says
SO yummy! What a quick, easy and delicious dinner recipe!
Claudia says
Just made this Air Fryer Crispy Chilli Beef and wow—so crunchy and packed with heat! 🔥🍖🙌
Sonja says
This air fryer chili beef is so perfect when the takeout craving hits, but I don't want all the grease that would bring into my diet. This has me feel good and was ready in the time it would take the ordered food to arrive.
Ashley says
Such a great weeknight recipe. Everyone loved it!
Krystle Smith says
I served it over steamed rice and tossed in extra veggies so I felt a little healthier about indulging.
Nicole Kendrick says
Sounds soooo yummy! Glad to hear it worked well for you!
Bev says
This recipe was amazing! Love the sweet and spicy combo and the fact that it is healthy. Can't wait to make again!
Lora says
This air fryer crispy chilli beef looks incredible—so crispy and flavorful! I love that it’s a lighter twist on a classic favorite.
Nicole Kendrick says
The crisp always comes out perfect on this one!
Claudia says
I just made this in my air fryer, and it came out perfectly crispy with the right amount of heat — definitely making it again!
Nicole Kendrick says
I like just a touch of heat so this one is perfect for me!
JJ says
The whole family loved this! I may even try it with venison next time, since we have a lot of hunters in the house!
Nicole Kendrick says
What a smart way to adjust the recipe. I hope you all enjoy it! Safe travles!
Swathi says
I am addicted to this air-fryer crispy chili beef, so good, and tasty, I am going to make it often from now.
Nicole Kendrick says
Me too! It is so flavorful, especially the sauce!
Colleen says
This was delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Nicole Kendrick says
Thanks for the 5 star review!!
Liz says
What an easy, delicious dinner!! My husband couldn't stop raving about your recipe!
Nicole Kendrick says
So glad you were able to find one that works for him! I appreciate you!
Trina says
This recipe was a huge win in my house! I was honestly surprised by how crispy the beef got without deep frying.
Nicole Kendrick says
We always love this one too! My appreciation knows no bounds!
Lisa says
Such a quick, flavorful dinner! It was a big hit with my family!
Nicole Kendrick says
Yay!!! I love to hear that everything worked out as you had hoped!
Emily says
The beef stayed surprisingly crunchy in the air fryer, and the chili sauce had a good, steady heat to it.
Nicole Kendrick says
So crunchy! And it turns out perfectly tender too! Enjoy!
Mary says
This air fryer crispy chilli beef is delicious, love the addition of hoisin sauce and sweet chilli sauce, which brings out the flavor a lot.
Nicole Kendrick says
The sauce combo is simply perfection! I am so glad you enjoyed!
Julie says
I love that this version keeps all the crispiness without the heavy breading. The combination of tender beef, crunchy vegetables, and that bold sauce sounds absolutely delicious.
Nicole Kendrick says
I agree, so crispy and so tender!
Kate says
I made this air fryer crispy chili beef, and it turned out perfectly crunchy, spicy, and packed with flavor—so good for a quick dinner! 🥩🌶️
Nicole Kendrick says
Yay!! I am so glad this beef recipe is working for ya!