Air Fryer Beef and Broccoli Bites
Velveted steak and charred broccoli in a glossy ginger-soy glaze.
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Before You Start
Velveting is the restaurant trick that keeps stir-fried beef tender, and it works just as well in an air fryer: a short soak in cornflour and soy forms a coating that holds moisture in. The broccoli goes in first because it takes longer than you would think.
Instructions
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Toss the beef cubes with 1 tbsp of the cornflour, 1 tbsp soy sauce and the sesame oil. Leave for 15 minutes while you prep everything else. This is the velveting step and it makes a real difference.
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Toss the broccoli florets with the vegetable oil and a pinch of salt. Preheat the air fryer to 200°C / 400°F for 3 minutes.
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Air fry the broccoli alone for 6 minutes, shaking once, until the tips are charred and the stems still have bite. Tip into a bowl.
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Lay the beef in a single layer with space around each cube and air fry for 6 to 8 minutes, shaking at the halfway point, until browned outside and pink within.
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While it cooks, simmer the remaining soy sauce, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, rice vinegar and water in a small pan for 2 minutes. Stir the last 1 tbsp cornflour into a little cold water and whisk it in until glossy.
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Toss the hot beef and broccoli through the sauce, scatter with sesame seeds, and serve immediately over rice.
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♨️ Air fryer notes
- Cook at 200°C / 400°F and preheat for 2 to 3 minutes for the crispiest result.
- Keep everything in a single layer with space around each piece. Overcrowding steams food instead of crisping it, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
- Shake or turn halfway, and check a few minutes early, since air fryers cook faster than ovens and every model runs slightly differently.
💡 Cook's tips
- Cook the beef and broccoli separately. They need different times, and together neither one browns properly.
- Get the beef out while it is still pink inside. It carries on cooking in the hot sauce.
🔀 Make it your own
- Swap beef for chicken thigh cubes, cooking 9 to 10 minutes instead.
- Add a spoon of gochujang or chilli crisp to the sauce for heat.
📦 Storing & reheating
Refrigerate for 3 days. Reheat in a hot pan rather than the air fryer, which overcooks the beef. The sauce thickens when cold; loosen it with a splash of water.
❓ Frequently asked
What is velveting and do I need to do it?
It is a coating of cornflour and soy that seals the meat surface so it stays juicy. Fifteen minutes is enough, and it is the single biggest difference between tender and chewy air fryer beef.
How long does steak take in an air fryer?
6 to 8 minutes at 200°C for 2 cm cubes cooked to medium. Larger cubes need 10, and always shake the basket halfway.
Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.
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