Ingredients
Crispy Beef:
- 450 g (1 lb) minute steak (thin steak) cut into thin strips
- 1 egg
- 5 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch in USA)
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ⅛ tsp white pepper
- Spray oil (approx. 15 ml/1 tbsp total)
- 1 medium onion, peeled and sliced into thin strips
Sauce:
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp chilli flakes (red pepper flakes)
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato puree (tomato paste in USA)
- 6 tbsp caster sugar or superfine sugar
- 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
- 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce (preferably Thai-style)
Instructions
- Prepare the beef strips: Place the minute steak strips into a mixing bowl and add the egg. Mix thoroughly to coat the beef evenly with the egg.
- Coat in cornflour: Add the cornflour, salt, black pepper, and white pepper to the bowl. Toss everything together so that the beef is coated in a sticky mixture of seasonings and cornflour.
- Air fry the beef: Preheat the air fryer to 240°C/457°F using the 'max crisp' or highest setting. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Add the beef strips in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd (cook in batches if needed). Spray the beef strips with spray oil. Cook for 8–9 minutes, shaking the basket twice during cooking to ensure even browning and crispiness.
- Prepare the sauce: While the beef cooks, combine garlic powder, ground ginger, chilli flakes, rice vinegar, dark soy sauce, tomato puree, caster sugar, tomato ketchup, and sweet chilli sauce in a bowl. Mix well until sugar is dissolved and the sauce is smooth.
- Sauté the onions: In a skillet or pan over medium heat, sauté the sliced onions until they soften and become translucent, about 3–4 minutes.
- Combine beef and sauce: Once the beef is crispy, add it to the skillet with the sautéed onions. Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and onions. Toss everything in the pan and cook for 1–2 minutes so the sauce coats the beef evenly and slightly thickens.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately, ideally with steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
- Minute steak: Choose thin steak cuts like minute steak as they cook quickly and get crispy easily in the air fryer.
- Air fryer temperature: Use the highest air fryer setting or 'max crisp' to reach 240°C/457°F for best crisping results.
- Cooking in batches: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure the beef crisps rather than steams.
- Sauce adjustment: Adjust chilli flakes quantity to control heat level according to your preference.
- Serving suggestion: Serve with steamed jasmine rice or egg noodles for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Asian, Chinese