Air Fryer Beef Bulgogi Bites
Sweet-savoury Korean-style beef with caramelised edges.
Before You Start
Bite-sized beef in a classic bulgogi marinade of soy, sesame, garlic and a little pear or sugar for sweetness. The air fryer caramelises the edges fast, just like a hot grill, for sticky, savoury pieces.
Instructions
-
Mix the soy, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic and ginger. Toss the beef in it and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
-
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C / 400°F. Lift the beef from the marinade and lay in a single layer.
-
Air fry for 8 to 11 minutes, shaking halfway, until browned and caramelised at the edges but still juicy.
-
Scatter with sesame seeds and sliced spring onion.
-
Serve over rice or in lettuce cups.
♨️ 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
- Let the beef drip off excess marinade before it goes in, so it browns rather than steams.
- Don't overcook. Beef bites are best a little pink and tender in the middle.
🔀 Make it your own
- Add a spoon of gochujang to the marinade for heat.
- Thread onto skewers with pepper and onion.
📦 Storing & reheating
Airtight in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat gently so the beef doesn't toughen. Good cold in salads too.
❓ Frequently asked
Do I need to marinate the beef?
At least 30 minutes makes a real difference to flavour and tenderness. Overnight is even better if you have the time.
What cut of beef works best?
A tender, quick-cooking cut like sirloin, rump or ribeye. Slice against the grain for the most tender bite.
Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.
More air fryer recipes
A note on cooking safely. Recipes are provided for informational purposes only and are not medical or nutritional advice. Cooking times, temperatures and quantities are suggestions: use your own judgement, and check that meat, poultry, fish and eggs are properly cooked before serving.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making dietary changes, particularly if you have allergies, a medical condition or specific nutritional requirements.