Best Air Fryer Chinese Crispy Beef Easy Guilt-Free Recipe
The Crispy Beef Dilemma
Let’s be honest—Chinese Crispy Beef is one of those dishes that’s almost impossible to resist from the Chinese Takeaway.
The crunchy texture, the sweet and tangy sauce, and that perfect balance of flavours make it a go-to comfort food. But as much as we love indulging, there’s always that nagging voice in the back of our heads: Is this really good for me?
Traditional Chinese Crispy Beef is often deep-fried, loaded with oil, and packed with calories.
It might taste amazing, but it can leave you feeling guilty afterwards. And if you’re trying to eat healthier or maintain your weight, it can seem like one of those foods you have to avoid altogether.
But what if I told you there’s a way to enjoy this delicious dish without the guilt? That you can make crispy, tasty Chinese Beef in a way that’s lighter, healthier, and just as satisfying?
In this post, I’m going to show you exactly how to do it.
Why Air Fryers Are a Game Changer for Chinese Crispy Beef
If you’re new to the air fryer scene, you might be wondering how it works.
An air fryer circulates hot air around the food, creating a crispy exterior without the need for deep frying.
You get the same crispy perfection you would with traditional frying, but with a fraction of the oil.
For Chinese Crispy Beef, this means you can achieve that golden, crispy texture you love without all the extra calories from oil. And trust me, you won’t miss the deep-frying one bit.
The air fryer also cooks the beef quickly, which makes this dish perfect for a weeknight dinner or even a meal prep session for the week.
So, what’s the catch? You might be thinking: Can an air fryer really make crispy beef that tastes as good as the real thing?
The answer is yes! Once you try it, you might never go back to deep frying again.
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The Guilt-Free Chinese Crispy Beef Recipe: Step-by-Step Guide
Ingredients
Serves 4
- 500g lean beef, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 3 tablespoons tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce
- 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 5 tablespoons cornflour (or arrowroot powder for a paleo version)
- 1 red pepper or green pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
- Cooking spray (olive or avocado oil)
How To Make Air Fryer Chinese Crispy Beef
- Place the beef strips in a bowl with the cornflour. Mix well to coat the beef with the cornflour.
- Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F for 5 minutes.
- Line the air fryer basket and spray with oil.
- Add the beef strips in a single layer. You may need to batch cook depending on the size of your air fryer basket.
- Spray the beef strips with oil.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes, turning halfway through the cooking time.
- While the beef is cooking, make the sauce by adding the vegetables, tomato sauce, white wine vinegar, garlic, soy sauce and sweet chilli sauce to a saucepan.
- Cook until the vegetables have softened.
- Once the beef is cooked serve with boiled rice and drizzle with the sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds.
Diet Variations
One of the best things about making Chinese Crispy Beef in an air fryer is how adaptable it is.
Whether you’re following a specific diet or just looking to mix things up, here are a few variations to try:
- Keto-Friendly Version: Use keto-friendly flour like almond flour for coating the beef.
- Gluten-Free Option: Replace the soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, and ensure you’re using a gluten-free thickener like arrowroot powder instead of cornflour.
- Vegan or Vegetarian Version: Substitute the thin strips of beef with a plant-based protein like tofu. The air fryer will crisp it up nicely!
Will It Really Be Crispy?
I know what you might be thinking:
Can you really achieve that same satisfying crunch using an air fryer?
It’s a valid question, especially if you’re used to deep-frying your crispy beef.
The key is in the preparation.
Coating the beef in cornflour (or your chosen alternative) before air frying is essential. This creates a barrier that crisps up nicely under the hot circulating air.
Another important tip is not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. If the pieces are too close together, they’ll steam rather than fry, leading to a soggy texture.
Giving the beef enough room to crisp up is key to that perfect crunch.
And here’s the best part—since you’re not using loads of oil, you won’t be left with a greasy aftertaste.
Instead, you’ll get a light, crispy texture that complements the savoury, sweet, and tangy flavours of the dish.
Meal Prepping with Chinese Crispy Beef
If you’re someone who likes to plan ahead, you’ll love this dish for meal prepping.
The air fryer makes it easy to cook up a batch of crispy beef that you can enjoy throughout the week.
Tips for Meal Prep Success
- Double the Recipe: Cook a larger batch of beef in your air fryer, and store them in individual containers for easy lunches or dinners.
- Reheating in the Air Fryer: When you’re ready to eat, simply pop your meal back into the air fryer for a few minutes to restore that crispiness. Unlike microwaving, the air fryer will bring back the crunch rather than making it soggy.
- Mix It Up: Serve your crispy beef with different sides throughout the week to keep things interesting. Try serving it over a bed of cauliflower rice, on top of a salad, or with some stir-fried vegetables for variety.
If you enjoyed this why not try Sweet and Sour Chicken in the Air Fryer?
Storing and Freezing Air Fryer Chinese Crispy Beef
Storing
- Cool Completely: After cooking the Chinese crispy beef in the air fryer, allow it to cool completely to room temperature. This prevents condensation, which causes sogginess when stored.
- Choose the Right Container: Place the cooled crispy beef in an airtight container. If possible, use a shallow container to avoid stacking the beef pieces causing them to lose their crispiness. Alternatively, you can separate layers with parchment paper.
- Refrigeration: Store the container in the fridge if you plan to eat the beef within 2-3 days. When reheating, the air fryer is your best bet to restore its original crunch.
Keep your food fresh and organised with the Plastic Airtight Food Storage Containers! This pack of 18 features a vibrant blue design and is perfect for storing everything from snacks to leftovers. Each container is leakproof and airtight, ensuring your food stays fresher for longer while preventing spills and messes.
Freezing
- Prepare for Freezing: Before freezing, ensure the beef is completely cooled. If the pieces are clumped together, separate them into individual portions.
- Flash Freezing (Optional but Recommended): To prevent the pieces from sticking together, spread the crispy beef in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place this in the freezer for about an hour or until the pieces are firm.
- Packaging: Once frozen, transfer the beef into a heavy-duty freezer bag or airtight container. Squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn, which can ruin the texture and flavour.
- Label and Store: Label the bag or container with the date and contents. The beef can be frozen for up to 2 months without loss of quality.
Reheating
- From Frozen: To reheat frozen Chinese crispy beef, there’s no need to thaw it first. Place the frozen pieces directly in your preheated air fryer at 180C/360F for 5-10 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally until heated through and crispy once again.
- From the Fridge: For refrigerated beef, simply air fry at 180C/360F for about 3-5 minutes, just enough to restore the crispiness.
By following these steps, your Air Fryer Chinese Crispy Beef will stay as delicious and crispy as the day you made it, whether you’re storing it for a quick meal tomorrow or freezing it for future cravings.
A Guilt-Free Way to Satisfy Your Cravings
There you have it—a simple, healthier way to enjoy Chinese Crispy Beef without the guilt.
So, the next time you’re craving that sweet and crispy beef, ditch the deep fryer and reach for your air fryer instead.
By using your air fryer, you can still indulge in this delicious dish while sticking to your healthy eating goals.
Air Fryer Chinese Crispy Beef
Ingredients
- 500g lean beef, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 3 tablespoons tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce
- 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 5 tablespoons cornflour (or arrowroot powder for a paleo version)
- 1 red pepper or green pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
- Cooking spray (olive or avocado oil)
Instructions
- Place the beef strips in a bowl with the cornflour. Mix well to coat the beef with the cornflour.
- Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F for 5 minutes.
- Line the air fryer basket and spray with oil.
- Add the beef strips in a single layer. You may need to batch cook depending on the size of your air fryer basket.
- Spray the beef strips with oil.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes, turning halfway through the cooking time.
- While the beef is cooking, make the sauce by adding the vegetables, tomato sauce, white wine vinegar, garlic, soy sauce and sweet chilli sauce to a saucepan.
- Cook until the vegetables have softened.
- Once the beef is cooked serve with boiled rice and drizzle with the sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds.
Notes
Depending on the size of your air fryer basket you may need to air fry the beef in batches.
