Air Fryer Crispy Chilli Beef

A Detailed Guide

This recipe brings the vibrant flavors of crispy chilli beef right to your kitchen, leveraging the magic of the air fryer for that perfect, restaurant-quality crisp. Forget soggy takeaways – this method delivers a healthier, tastier, and quicker version of your favorite dish. We’ll guide you through each step, offering tips and tricks to ensure your crispy chilli beef is a resounding success.

Understanding the Magic of the Air Fryer

Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food, mimicking the effect of deep frying but with significantly less oil. This results in food that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. For this crispy chilli beef recipe, the air fryer is key to achieving that signature crunch without the excess calories.

Sourcing and Preparing Your Ingredients

• Beef: The star of the show! We recommend using minute steaks, thinly sliced against the grain. This ensures tenderness and quick cooking. If you can’t find minute steaks, sirloin or even rump steak, thinly sliced, will work. The key is thinness for that perfect crisp.
• Peppers and Onions: These add sweetness, color, and texture. Red or yellow peppers work beautifully, but feel free to experiment with other colors like orange or green. Cut them into substantial chunks so they hold their shape during cooking. Similarly, chunk your onions – about 2cm/¾in pieces are ideal.
• Chilli: Red chilli adds the heat. Remove the seeds for a milder flavor, or leave some in for a fiery kick. Slice it thinly for even distribution of spice.
• Aromatic Flavor Base: Soy sauce is our base for savory umami notes.
• Oil: A little vegetable oil helps with crisping and prevents sticking.
• Cornflour: This is crucial for achieving that crispy coating. It creates a light, protective layer around the beef.
• Five-Spice Powder: This adds a complex, warm spice profile that complements the other flavors perfectly.
• Spring Onions: These are for a fresh, vibrant garnish. Slice them diagonally for an elegant presentation.
• Rice or Noodles: Serve your crispy chilli beef with freshly cooked rice or noodles. Egg noodles or even a simple stir-fried rice are excellent choices.

Creating the Glaze: Sweet, Sour, and Savory

The glaze is what brings the dish together, providing a balance of sweet, sour, and savory notes.

• Sesame Seeds: These add a nutty flavor and a delightful crunch. A mix of black and white sesame seeds looks particularly appealing.
• Vinegars: White wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar provide the necessary acidity, creating a tangy counterpoint to the sweetness.
• Soy Sauce: Adds depth and umami to the glaze.
• Brown Sugar: Provides the sweetness that balances the acidity. Light brown sugar is recommended, but you can use dark brown sugar for a richer flavor.
• Ketchup: Adds a touch of sweetness and a hint of tomato flavor.

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

1. Prepare the Beef: Slice the beef into thin strips. In a bowl, combine the beef with 1 tbsp of soy sauce and set aside.
2. Prepare the Vegetables: Cut the peppers and onions into chunks. Slice the chilli.
3. Make the Glaze: In a separate bowl, combine all the glaze ingredients: sesame seeds, white wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, and ketchup. Mix well and set aside.
4. Coat the Beef: In another bowl, mix the cornflour and five-spice powder. Add the beef and toss until it’s evenly coated.
5. Air Fry the Beef: Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Arrange the beef in a single layer (don’t overcrowd the basket). Air fry for 5-7 minutes, or until crispy and cooked through. You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
6. Air Fry the Vegetables: Add the peppers and onions to the air fryer basket (you can cook them with the beef during the last few minutes, or separately). Air fry for 5-7 minutes, or until tender-crisp.
7. Combine and Glaze: Add the crispy beef and vegetables to a large bowl. Pour the glaze over the beef and vegetables and toss to coat everything evenly.
8. Serve: Serve immediately over freshly cooked rice or noodles. Garnish with sliced spring onions.

Tips and Tricks for Crispy Chilli Beef Success

• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket: This ensures even cooking and crispiness. Cook the beef and vegetables in batches if necessary.
• Preheat the air fryer: This helps ensure even cooking and a crispy exterior.
• Pat the beef dry: Before coating the beef in cornflour, pat it dry with paper towels. This helps the coating adhere better and promotes crispiness.
• Adjust the cooking time: Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your air fryer. Keep an eye on the beef and vegetables and adjust the cooking time as needed.
• Customize the spice level: Add more or less chilli depending on your preference.
• Get creative with vegetables: You can add other vegetables like carrots, broccoli, or mushrooms to this recipe.
• Make it ahead: You can prepare the glaze and chop the vegetables ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator.
• Reheating: If you have leftovers, reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore crispiness.

Air Fryer Crispy Chilli Beef

Recipe by admin

0.0 from 0 votes

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

10

minutes

Crispy, flavorful beef with vibrant vegetables, coated in a sweet and tangy glaze.

Ingredients

• 4 x 150g/5½oz minute beef steaks, thinly sliced

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 2 peppers (red or yellow), chunked

• 2 onions, chunked

• 1 red chilli, sliced

• 1½ tbsp vegetable oil

• 3 tbsp cornflour

• 2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder

• 2 spring onions, sliced

• Cooked rice or noodles, to serve

• Glaze:

• 2 tbsp sesame seeds

• 5 tbsp white wine vinegar

• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 2 tbsp light brown sugar

• 2 tbsp light soy sauce

• 2 tbsp tomato ketchup

Directions

• Marinate beef in 1 tbsp soy sauce.
  Prepare vegetables and glaze.
  Coat beef in cornflour and five-spice powder.
  Air fry beef at 200°C (400°F) for 5-7 minutes until crispy.
  Air fry vegetables for 5-7 minutes until tender-crisp.
  Combine beef, vegetables, and glaze.
  Serve over rice or noodles, garnished with spring onions.
• Prepare vegetables and glaze.
• Coat beef in cornflour and five-spice powder.
• Air fry beef at 200°C (400°F) for 5-7 minutes until crispy.
• Combine beef, vegetables, and glaze.
• Serve over rice or noodles, garnished with spring onions.

Notes

• This recipe will work well with chicken too.
  
  To prepare this dish ahead of time, marinate the beef up to 3 hours in advance. The vegetables can be cooked the day before.
  
  The beef is best eaten just after cooking.