I’m always experimenting with some of the classic take-away dishes. This is sweet, sticky and delicious. And making it at home costs less than half the price of buying from a takeaway. You can find this air fryer beef noodles stir fry recipe on page 63 of The Ultimate Air Fryer Cookbook: One Basket Meals.
This Asian-inspired sticky beef noodle stir fry is a fantastic way to shake up your usual beef mince recipes and try something new. Cooking it in the air fryer not only cuts down on the cooking time but also ensures that the noodles and beef come out perfectly cooked and full of flavour, all in just 20 minutes! The best part? This homemade version is a fraction of the cost of a takeaway and much healthier, with each serving containing less than 500 calories.
The sticky beef sauce gives the dish a rich, savoury flavour, while the noodles soak up all that deliciousness, making every bite satisfying and full of depth. What’s even better is how easy it is to make. With the air fryer, the beef and noodles cook quickly, allowing you to enjoy a flavourful stir fry without having to stand over a hot wok for long periods. It’s a quick and efficient way to create a meal that tastes just as good, if not better, than ordering takeout.
In addition to being delicious, this recipe is highly customisable. You can add your favourite vegetables, like peppers, carrots, or broccoli. The air-fryer makes it simple to cook everything while keeping the ingredients tender yet crisp. This dish is a great way to introduce new flavours to your weekly dinners while keeping things healthy, tasty, and affordable.
PREP 10 minutes
COOK 20 minutes
SERVES 4 people
KIT you will need an air-fryer
Ingredients for air fryer beef noodles
1kg of beef mince
150g of frozen green beans
150g of frozen mixed peppers
200g of teriyake sauce
Two 275g of packets of fresh egg noodles
1 tablespoon of light soy sauce
To serve:
1 fresh red chilli, deseeded and finely sliced
4 spring onions, finely sliced
Prawn crackers
Chopped nuts to garnish (optional)
Method
To start, remove the crisper plate or tray from your air fryer basket so the mince can cook directly on the base as this helps it brown better. Set your air fryer to 190°C (375°F) and add the beef mince straight into the basket. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, break the mince up as much as possible before cooking. Air fry for 8 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes. This not only helps it cook evenly but also breaks the beef up into smaller pieces as it browns. You want it golden and just starting to crisp at the edges.
Once the beef is cooked, you might notice a little fat collected at the bottom of the basket. If so, carefully drain it off or use a piece of kitchen paper to soak it up as this keeps your stir fry light and not greasy.
Next, add your frozen green beans and sliced peppers directly into the air fryer basket with the cooked beef. Pour over your teriyaki sauce and stir everything together well. Air fry again at 190°C for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring halfway through. The veggies should be cooked through but still have a bit of bite.
Now it’s time to add your fresh noodles. Toss them into the basket along with a splash of light soy sauce, then stir to coat everything evenly. Air fry for a final 3 to 5 minutes, until the noodles are heated through and slightly caramelised on the edges.
To serve, plate up your sticky beef and noodles stir fry, then top with sliced red chilli and chopped spring onions. Add prawn crackers on the side for that perfect fake-away vibe.
Watch the video on my YouTube channel.
Tips for Air Fryer Beef Noodles
1. Choose the right beef cut
Use cuts like flank steak, sirloin, or ribeye. These cuts cook beautifully in the air fryer.
2. Slice beef thinly against the grain
Thin slices of beef will cook quickly and stay tender. Always slice against the grain to ensure the meat remains juicy and easy to chew.
3. Marinate the beef
Marinate your beef in a mix of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and brown sugar for 30 minutes.
4. Preheat your air fryer
Pre heat your air fryer to 200°C for 3 minutes to ensure an even cook and that your beef gets a nice sear.
5. Cook beef separately from noodles
To ensure even cooking, air-fry the beef and noodles separately.
6. Use the right noodles
Egg noodles, rice noodles, or even instant ramen noodles work well for beef noodles. Make sure to cook your noodles according to the package instructions before adding them to the air fryer.
7. Add vegetables for a balanced dish
Add vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or bok choy to the air fryer basket with your beef, or toss them into the noodles at the end of cooking for extra flavour and crunch.
8. Keep noodles moist
To prevent the noodles from drying out, toss them with a little oil or a splash of broth before air frying. This helps them stay tender and absorb the flavours better.
9. Toss everything together
Once the beef and noodles are cooked, toss them together with your favourite sauce or seasoning, like hoisin, oyster sauce, or a splash of soy sauce for extra depth of flavour.
10. Serve hot
Serve your beef noodles immediately, garnished with fresh herbs like coriander, green onions, or a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added texture and flavour.
Similar recipes
If you love this easy air fryer beef noodles then you will like my all-in-one air fryer pork noodles the tasty air fryer salt and pepper chicken or the quick air fryer chicken curry recipes.
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