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Air Fryer Beef Fajitas are made using a juicy, skirt or flank steak paired with fresh vegetables. This recipe can be made in the Ninja Foodi too.
It’s no secret that my Air Fryer or Ninja Foodi these days is my go-to kitchen appliance, I use it nearly every single day. I’m not even kidding about that.
My oven is lonely…but I just can make dinner so quickly with the Air Fryer, plus it’s delicious.
We love these Ninja Foodi Chicken Fajitas, so this time we decided to mix it up with Beef instead, specifically Skirt Steak from Certified Angus Beef.
During the week, quick and easy meals are a MUST and fajitas are almost always on our menu every single week. Why? Because they are so quick and easy.
These Air Fryer Beef Fajitas take just 15 minutes and they are ready to eat!
What is the best cut of beef for Fajitas?
Skirt or Flank Steak makes for the best choice when making Air Fryer Beef Fajitas. The key, of course, is how you cut the steak.
It MUST be cut against the grain, otherwise, it’ll be too tough to chew.
Out of the two cuts, we prefer and almost always use skirt steak. It’s has a rich, beefy flavor and gives a great flavor to the fajitas. Flank steak if very similar but leaner than skirt steak.
We picked up our Certified Angus Beef Brand steak at our local Reasor’s. They have the BEST choices of Certified Angus Beef, we specifically love stocking up on it at their meat sales throughout the year.
We always have Certified Angus Beef on hand in our freezer, here in Oklahoma you just never know when it’s going to be the perfect day to grill…so having some on hand is a must.
The perfect way to know how to choose the right cut of meat is to use the Roast Perfect App. This app is wonderful as a timer for cooking along with recipes too!
How do you cut the steak against the grain?
This is very tricky sometimes but the key is to cut perpendicular to the grain or the line of the steak. It can change though, so you may have to alter the way you are cutting as you cut the strips for the fajitas.
If you cut it against the grain, it’s much more tender and easy to chew.
Can you make Air Fryer Steak Fajitas in the Ninja Foodi?
These can be made in the Ninja Foodi using the Air Crisp basket and the Air Crisp function of the Ninja Foodi. They will be made exactly the same in the Ninja Foodi as they would with a traditional air fryer.
What type of seasoning should you use for Air Fryer Fajitas?
We prefer to use a taco seasoning on ours; however, you can also use a Homemade Fajita Seasoning too.
The seasoning can be store-bought or homemade, but you’ll need about 4 Tablespoons.
Now it’s time to enjoy these Air Fryer Beef Fajitas!
Created by: Kristy Still
Air Fryer Beef Fajitas (Ninja Foodi Recipe)
Course Air Fryer Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Make Air Fryer Beef Fajitas with skirt steak and fresh vegetables, easy to make in the Ninja Foodi too!
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Certified Angus Beef Skirt Steak or Flank Steak
- 1 Red Bell Pepper Diced
- 1 Green Bell Pepper Diced
- 1 Yellow Bell Pepper Diced
- 1 Orange Bell Pepper Diced
- 1/4 Cup Sweet Onion Diced
- 4 Tbsp Fajita Seasoning or 1 Packet
- Corn or Flour Tortillas
Instructions
Start by cutting the steak against the grain.
Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil cooking spray and place the steak in the air fryer.
Top with the vegetables and the seasoning evenly.
Spray with another coat of olive oil cooking spray.
Cook at 390 degrees for 5 minutes.
Open the air fryer or Ninja Foodi and mix up the ingredients, being sure everything is well coated with seasoning and add an additional spray of olive oil cooking spray.
Cover and cook using the air fryer for an additional 5-10 minutes at 390 degrees to your desired doneness. (We find that cooking for another 7 minutes is a perfect time, after 5 minutes, open it and check to see if it's to your desired doneness, if not add an additional 2-5 minutes.)
Serve on warm tortillas.
Notes
If you use the Ninja Foodi, you will want to use the Air Crisp function and the basket for this recipe.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 184kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 260mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g
FAQs
Steak for fajitas should be cooked to rare or medium-rare for the best texture and flavor. 3. Slice thinly, against the grain. Cutting meat against the grain into thin strips shortens the muscle fibers, reducing the amount of work you have to do to chew them, and making even tough cuts taste tender.
Why is my fajita meat so tough? ›
If your beef fajitas are chewy, it is likely because you cut the steak in the wrong direction, or because you didn't give it time to properly marinade. Cut the Beef Against the Grain. Slicing meat against the grain helps tenderize it.
How long to cook a steak in the Ninja air fryer? ›
The cooking time for a steak in the Ninja Foodi Air Fryer depends on the thickness and desired level of doneness. As a general guide, for a 1-inch thick steak, cook it for about 9-12 minutes for medium-rare, 12-15 minutes for medium, and 15-18 minutes for well-done.
How to cook steak in ninja dual air fryer with probe? ›
How long should I cook my steak in the Ninja Dual Air Fryer? The cooking time for steak in the Ninja Dual Air Fryer will depend on the thickness of the steak and your desired level of doneness. As a general guideline, you can cook a 1-inch thick steak to medium-rare in about 8-10 minutes.
How to cook fajitas so they are tender? ›
Marinating the flank steak is a crucial part of the fajita recipe. A marinade adds more flavor to the meat and makes it more tender, because the acid in the marinade helps to break down the muscle and proteins in the meat before cooking.
What cut of meat do Mexican restaurants use for fajitas? ›
The question of “what is a fajita” would usually be referred to as sliced skirt steak, the cut of beef first used in the dish. In restaurants, the meat is usually cooked with onions and bell peppers and toppings that are served on the side.
What is the best cut of meat for fajitas? ›
Skirt steak is the traditional cut used for fajitas. It used to be inexpensive, but now it's not so cheap; oftentimes flank steak costs less. Either will be a good choice.
What tenderizes tough meat? ›
Whether hosting a holiday cookout, serving up some stir-fry or tackling game meats, baking soda is the go-to meat tenderizer to help make your steak, chicken or turkey silkier, juicier and yummier.
How do I make my steak tender and not chewy? ›
Most cuts of steak benefit from being salted up to an hour in advance of cooking, but especially tougher cuts. In addition to seasoning the steaks, salt helps break down proteins and make the meat more tender. Liberally salt the steaks up to an hour before cooking, then proceed according to your recipe.
Should I flip steak in air fryer? ›
Your steak will cook through, if left on just one side. However, because flipping can place a different part of the steak closer to the heating element (for an air fryer, this is at the top), a steak will cook more evenly if flipped halfway through.
Preparing your Steak to Go into the Air Fryer
First, remove your steak from its packaging and pat it dry on both sides. Then, oil both sides of the steak and add salt and spices.
Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer? ›
Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.
What mode should my air fryer be for steak? ›
Air Fry. Air fry steak at 400 degrees F, until you reach your desired doneness.
What can't you cook in an air fryer? ›
7 Foods You Should Never Cook In Your Air Fryer
- Wet Batters. Those beer-battered onion rings, fries, fish cutlets, plus tempura veggies and more are not well suited for a crisp in the air fryer. ...
- Cheesy Items. ...
- Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts. ...
- Baked Goods. ...
- Greens. ...
- Raw Rice and Other Grains. ...
- Too Much of Anything.
👩🏽🍳 Once the air fryer has been preheated, air fry your beef at 210 degrees C for 5 mins (acts like searing it in a pan) then continue cooking for the remainder of the time at 180 degrees C. 👩🏽🍳 Make sure you rest the beef for 20 mins (or more) under foil. Enjoy!
How do you cook skirt steak so it isn't tough? ›
Cook it hot!
Slicing the meat thinly across grain will provide enough tenderization, especially if you don't overcook your skirt steak to make it tough and dry.
Why is my skirt steak tough and chewy? ›
Typically, leaner cuts like the flank or skirt can be chewy if not prepared correctly. Cooking Method: Overcooking can cause the steak to lose its moisture, making it dry and chewy. Conversely, undercooking can make certain cuts feel tough. Aging Process: Steaks that are not properly aged can be less tender.
Why is my fajita chicken chewy? ›
Rubbery chicken can result from a cooking error or the overall quality of the chicken you buy. Fortunately, strategies such as moist cooking and buying slow-grown chickens can prevent you from having a chewy meal. And always make sure your chicken isn't undercooked!
