Air Fryer Steak Fajitas: The Easiest Weeknight Dinner Ever!
Are you craving the sizzling, savory flavors of fajitas but don’t want the mess and fuss of stovetop cooking? Then you HAVE to try these incredible Air Fryer Steak Fajitas! This recipe is a total game-changer, delivering perfectly cooked, tender steak and crisp-tender veggies in a fraction of the time. It’s become a staple in our house for busy weeknights, satisfying everyone’s taste buds without sacrificing valuable time. As a busy mom, I’m always on the lookout for easy weeknight dinners, and this one ticks all the boxes: quick, healthy, and packed with flavor. I’m constantly seeking out unique air fryer recipes so that I may be able to cut the cooking time down in the kitchen. Gone are the days of spending hours preparing dinner!
Imagine this: tender strips of marinated steak, bell peppers bursting with color, and onions with just the right amount of caramelized sweetness, all cooked to perfection in your air fryer. The best part? Clean-up is a breeze! We’ve been experimenting with different air fryer meals lately, and these steak fajitas have quickly risen to the top of our list. They are also great because they are a cheap dinner for a family.
This recipe is so versatile, too. You can easily customize the vegetables to your liking, adjust the spice level to suit your family’s preferences, and serve it all up with your favorite toppings. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy healthy dinner or a fun and flavorful air fry recipe, these Air Fryer Steak Fajitas are sure to be a hit. So, dust off your air fryer and get ready to enjoy restaurant-quality fajitas in the comfort of your own home!
Plus, for those who love set-it-and-forget-it meals, consider exploring the world of crockpot meals when you have more time. But for those nights when speed is key, the air fryer is your ultimate ally!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Steak Fajitas
- Lightning-Fast Cooking: Say goodbye to long cook times! Your air fryer gets these fajitas on the table in under 30 minutes.
- Incredible Flavor: The air fryer’s circulating heat ensures the steak is tender and flavorful, and the veggies are perfectly cooked – slightly crisp with a hint of caramelization.
- Healthier Option: Using an air fryer means less oil is needed compared to traditional stovetop or oven methods, making these fajitas a healthier choice.
- Easy Clean-Up: No more greasy stovetop splatters to scrub! The air fryer keeps everything contained, making clean-up a breeze.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe to your family’s taste preferences. Swap out veggies, adjust the spice level, and choose your favorite toppings.
- Perfect for Weeknights: These Air Fryer Steak Fajitas are the ideal solution for busy evenings when you need a quick, delicious, and satisfying meal. They’re the definition of an easy air fryer meal healthy, and a family favorite.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Steak Fajitas
- 1 pound flank steak or skirt steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 large bell pepper (any color), sliced into strips
- 1 medium onion, sliced into strips
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Optional: 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (for added heat)
Substitutions:
- Steak: Chicken or shrimp can be substituted for steak. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Bell Peppers: Use any combination of bell pepper colors or substitute with other vegetables like zucchini or poblano peppers.
- Fajita Seasoning: Make your own using chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and cayenne pepper.
- Olive Oil: Avocado oil or vegetable oil can be used as a substitute.
How to Make Air Fryer Steak Fajitas
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Steak: In a medium bowl, combine the sliced steak, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, fajita seasoning, and lime juice. Mix well to ensure the steak is fully coated. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes in the refrigerator. If you are looking for something quick, 15 minutes will suffice.
- Prep the Veggies: In another bowl, toss the sliced bell peppers and onions with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of fajita seasoning. You can also add the sliced jalapeno here if you like extra spice.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. This step is important to ensure even cooking!
- Air Fry the Veggies: Place the seasoned vegetables in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You may need to do this in batches if your air fryer is small. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the vegetables are tender-crisp and slightly caramelized.
- Air Fry the Steak: After the vegetables are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and set aside. Place the marinated steak in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Again, you may need to do this in batches. Air fry for 5-7 minutes, depending on the thickness of the steak and desired doneness. For medium-rare, aim for an internal temperature of 130-135°F (54-57°C).
- Combine and Serve: Once the steak is cooked, add the vegetables back to the air fryer basket and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to heat through. Then, remove the fajitas from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite toppings like tortillas, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, and shredded cheese.
Pro Tips & Variations
- Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: Overcrowding the air fryer basket will result in steamed, not crispy, vegetables and steak. Cook in batches for best results.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure the steak is cooked to your preferred doneness, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
- Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Marinating the steak for longer (up to a few hours) will result in even more flavorful and tender fajitas.
- Spicy Fajitas: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the fajita seasoning or include a sliced jalapeño in the vegetable mix for extra heat.
- Vegan Fajitas: Substitute the steak with portobello mushrooms or firm tofu. Marinate the mushrooms or tofu in the fajita seasoning mixture before air frying.
Serving Suggestions
These Air Fryer Steak Fajitas are delicious on their own, but here are a few serving suggestions to complete your meal:
- Warm Tortillas: Serve the fajita mixture with warm flour or corn tortillas for a classic fajita experience.
- Toppings Galore: Offer a variety of toppings such as salsa, sour cream, guacamole, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, and pickled onions.
- Mexican Rice: Serve the fajitas with a side of Mexican rice for a hearty and satisfying meal.
- Refried Beans: A dollop of refried beans adds creaminess and extra flavor to your fajita plate.
- Elote (Mexican Street Corn): Grilled or air-fried elote makes a delicious and festive side dish.
Storage & Reheating
Storage:
- Refrigerator: Store leftover Air Fryer Steak Fajitas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: For longer storage, freeze the cooked steak and vegetables separately in airtight containers for up to 2 months.
Reheating:
- Air Fryer: Reheat the fajitas in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through.
- Microwave: Reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through. Be careful not to overcook, as the steak can become dry.
- Stovetop: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking.
FAQ about Air Fryer Steak Fajitas
Q: Can I use frozen steak for these fajitas?
A: While it’s best to use fresh steak, you can use frozen steak if you thaw it completely before marinating and cooking. Make sure to pat it dry before seasoning to help it brown properly in your air fry recipe.
Q: How do I prevent the vegetables from becoming soggy?
A: Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket and ensure the vegetables are tossed with olive oil before cooking. Cooking them in a single layer allows them to crisp up nicely. Shaking the basket halfway through also helps to ensure even cooking.
Q: What other vegetables can I use in these fajitas?
A: Feel free to experiment! Zucchini, poblano peppers, mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes are all great additions to these Air Fryer Steak Fajitas. Adjust the cooking time as needed.
Q: Can I make these fajitas ahead of time of prepare ingredients ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can slice the steak and vegetables and prepare everything ahead of time of even marinate the meat overnight! Just preheat the air fryer and cook like mentioned above!
Q: How can I control the sodium in these fajitas?
A: Use a low-sodium fajita seasoning or make your own using a blend of herbs and spices. You can also reduce the amount of seasoning used. Watch for hidden sodium in pre-made ingredients like tortillas.
Final Thoughts on Air Fryer Steak Fajitas
These Air Fryer Steak Fajitas are more than just a recipe; they’re a quick and easy solution for busy weeknights, a flavorful and healthy alternative to takeout, and a crowd-pleasing meal that everyone will love. And with searches trending on how to cook steak in the air fryer, this recipe is sure to become your favorite! With the air fryer and your creative additions: it is guaranteed to be unique!
So, ditch the stovetop mess and fire up your air fryer! These fajitas are ready in minutes and deliver restaurant-quality flavor without any of the fuss. Don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for future reference and share it with your friends and family. And if you try it out, please leave a comment below – I’d love to hear how they turned out!
Before you go, don’t forget to subscribe to my blog for more delicious and easy air fryer meals healthy, and other simple recipes that will make your life easier. Happy cooking!
Air Fryer Steak Fajitas
Equipment
- Air Fryer,
- Mixing bowl
- Meat thermometer
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound flank steak or skirt steak thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 large bell pepper (any color), sliced into strips
- 1 medium onion sliced into strips
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 jalapeño optional, thinly sliced for added heat
Instructions
- Prepare the Steak: In a medium bowl, combine the sliced steak, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, fajita seasoning, and lime juice. Mix well to ensure the steak is fully coated. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Prep the Veggies: In another bowl, toss the sliced bell peppers and onions with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of fajita seasoning. Add the sliced jalapeño here if you like extra spice.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
- Air Fry the Veggies: Place the seasoned vegetables in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the vegetables are tender-crisp and slightly caramelized.
- Air Fry the Steak: Remove vegetables and set aside. Place the marinated steak in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 5-7 minutes depending on thickness and desired doneness. Use a meat thermometer aiming for 130-135°F (54-57°C) for medium-rare.
- Combine and Serve: Add the vegetables back to the basket with the steak and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to heat through. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings like tortillas, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, and shredded cheese.
