Air fryer Mongolian beef
In 15 minutes, this juicy Mongolian beef comes out perfectly sizzling from the air fryer, to be served with a delicious homemade soy sauce.
Main ingredients:
 | 500 g (1 lb) of beef steak – any type of cut of beef such as flank steak, sirloin, or filet. |
 | 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil with a high smoking point like avocado, sunflower, or peanut oil. |
 | 3 tablespoons of cornstarch (maize starch) to coat the beef. You can also use all-purpose flour, as an alternative. |
Spices and flavoring for the sauce:
 | 4 tablespoons of soy sauce, low-sodium soy sauce if possible |
 | 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger powder for flavor |
 | 1 teaspoon of brown sugar |
 | 1/4 teaspoon of plain or toasted sesame seeds |
 | 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder or garlic flakes |
 | 1/2 cup of water |
 | (Optional) 1 spring onion – the green part of a spring onion, chopped and served on top. |
 | Pinch of salt and pepper |
How to make mongolian beef in the air fryer
- Slice the steak into thin strips.
- Coat the steak with cornstarch in a bowl, shaking off any excess.
- Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 375°F (190°C).
- Spray the air fryer basket lightly with vegetable oil.
- Cook the steak for 4 minutes, shaking and rotating every 2 minutes.
- Prepare the sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat for about 5 minutes (excluding sesame seeds and spring onions), stirring until smooth.
- Check and continue cooking the steak for a couple more minutes if needed.
- Toss the cooked steak with the sauce in a bowl.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced spring onions.
- Serve while warm.
Mongolian beef is one of those Asian-inspired dishes that has taken over American cuisine. These delicious strips of beef are coated in a thick soy-flavored sauce and usually stirfried for oodles of flavor.
But if you don’t have time to watch over your stove for 20 minutes or so, try popping them in the air fryer. They come out beautifully brown and juicy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Now, the sauce does need a bit of cooking on the stove top, since the air fryer has never been known to make good stews or sauces. But it is only 1-2 minutes for the soy to meld with the sugar and blend together, compared to the amount of time it would take for the beef to stir fry.
Other than that, my main tip would be to cut the beef across the grain using a sharp knife for easier meat preparation. Cut the beef into 1/4 inch slices, so that it is neither too thick or too thin. And it is just as easy as that!
Type of beef
You can use any type of cut of beef such as flank steak, sirloin, or even filet which is a finer and more expensive cut of beef. I do like to use fresh cuts of meat from the butcher for this recipe, as the beef is very much the star of the dish.
Cooking tips
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) before cooking the steak.
- It is better to watch carefully and underestimate the time required to cook the steak, and then tack on a minute at the end, rather than to overcook the steak.
- Do not use sweet soy sauce, but rather salty or low-sodium soy sauce. Otherwise the peanut sauce will have quite a different taste!
Similar recipes
If you like this recipe, you may also like:
Air fryer Mongolian beef
Equipment
Ingredients
- 500 g of beef (flank steak) (1 lb)
- 3 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable, avocado or sunflower oil
Sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon of ginger powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon of sesame seeds
- 4 tablespoons of soy sauce low-sodium
- 1/2 cup of water
- handful of chopped spring onions (optional)
Instructions
- Cut the steak into thin strips.
- Place the steak in a bowl and cover with the cornstarch, removing any excess.
- Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 375°F (190°C).
- Spray the air fryer basket with some vegetable oil.
- Place the beef steak in the air fryer basket for 4 minutes*, shaking and rotating them every 2 minutes or so that the juices and oils cover the beef.
- In a small sauce pan at medium heat, cook the ingredients for the sauce for about 5 minutes (except the sesame seeds and spring onions). Mix the sauce throughly.
- Open the air fryer to see if they are cooked enough for you, and heat them for a couple more minutes if you wish.
- Place the steak in a bowl and cover with the sauce.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and spring onions.
- Serve while warm.
Notes
- If you want medium-rare, cook for 2 minutes.
- For medium, cook for 3 minutes.
- For medium-well, cook for 4 minutes.
- For well done, cook for 5 minutes
Nutrition
Please note: We are not certified nutritionists and these estimates written and produced for entertainment purposes only.
What to serve with it?
This delicious air fryer Mongolian beef recipe is usually served with plain side like this white or brown rice. (I often have my rice cooker on at the same time.)
You can also serve it with egg noodles and broccoli to make a complete meal out of it. Other options are a side like ramen soup with spinach and mushroom or this sautéed parsley potatoes.
How to store it?
You can easily prepare this air fryer Mongolian beef at least a few hours in advance, and leave it in the fridge in a glass container. When ready to eat, warm it back up in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or in the air fryer for 5 minutes at 360°F (190°C).
