can you cook beef stew in an air fryer

Making Delicious Beef Stew in an Air Fryer – A Complete Guide

As a busy home cook, I’m always looking for ways to prepare classic comfort foods like beef stew faster and easier. Recently, I discovered that using an air fryer is a game-changing way to make beef stew. The circulating hot air cooks the meat and veggies perfectly in a fraction of the time.

In this comprehensive guide we’ll dive into all the nitty-gritty details of making beef stew in an air fryer. From understanding the science behind it to a step-by-step recipe you’ll learn how to unlock the magic of air-fried beef stew. So let’s get right to it!

The Science Behind Air Frying Beef Stew

First, let’s look at why an air fryer works so well for beef stew. Air fryers use powerful fans to circulate hot air around the food at high speeds. This allows for:

• Very fast cooking times – Beef stew can be ready in 30-40 mins versus 2-3 hours on the stovetop. The forced air heat penetrates the beef and veggies quickly.

• Even cooking – The fanned hot air envelops the food from all sides, preventing cold or underdone spots. No need to stir or fuss over a pot.

• Caramelized flavors – The circulating high heat creates a nice brown sear on the beef cubes, enhancing the flavor.

• Tender and moist results – The constant airflow prevents moisture loss, keeping the beef stew succulent.

With an air fryer, you can achieve a classic beef stew with melt-in-your-mouth meat and veggies in a fraction of the usual time. Let’s look at how to make it happen!

Choosing the Right Ingredients

To make amazing air fryer beef stew, start with high-quality ingredients:

• Beef – Pick well-marbled chuck roast or stew meat and cut into 1-inch cubes. This allows for tender meat that holds up to air frying.

• Potatoes – Go for yellow potatoes over russets. They maintain their shape better. Cut into 1-inch chunks.

• Carrots – Peel and slice carrots on an angle into 1-inch pieces for aesthetics.

• Onions – Pick firm, non-slimy onions and cut into wedges. Red or yellow onions work great.

• Celery – Look for crisp, snappy stalks and slice them about 1/2-inch thick.

• Liquid – Use beef broth and red wine for maximum flavor. Chicken broth also works well.

The right prep ensures all the components cook perfectly and harmonize into a great stew.

Helpful Tips and Tricks

Follow these tips when making beef stew in an air fryer:

• Cut beef and veggies uniformly for even cooking.

• Generously season the beef cubes before air frying.

• Quickly sear the beef in a skillet first to brown it.

• Don’t overfill the air fryer basket. Cook in batches for best results.

• Add a bit of cornstarch slurry at the end to thicken the stew.

• Garnish with fresh herbs before serving for brightness.

With these tips, your air fried beef stew will be rich, fork-tender and full of flavor! Now let’s get to the recipe.

Step-by-Step Air Fryer Beef Stew Recipe

Grab your air fryer and ingredients because we’re ready to make some beef stew!

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 medium yellow potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1 medium onion, cut into wedges
• 2 ribs celery, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 3 Tbsps cornstarch mixed with 3 Tbsps water
• Salt, pepper, and olive oil

Instructions:

1. Pat the beef cubes dry and generously season with salt and pepper on all sides. Quickly sear the cubes in a skillet with olive oil over high heat until browned.

2. In a large bowl, toss the carrots, potatoes, onion, celery, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, broth, wine, and seared beef until thoroughly combined.

3. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F. Carefully transfer the beef stew mixture to the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding.

4. Air fry for 15 minutes then toss or shake the basket. Air fry 15 more minutes. The beef should be fork tender and veggies soft.

5. Remove the basket and carefully stir in the cornstarch slurry. Place back in the air fryer and cook 5 more minutes to thicken.

6. Discard the bay leaves. Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve warm with crusty bread.

And that’s it – a hearty air fried beef stew ready in just 35 minutes! The forced air heat thoroughly yet gently cooked the beef, resulting in a rich and comforting meal the whole family will love.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What cuts of beef work best in an air fryer stew?

Chuck roast or beef stew meat work great. Look for well-marbled, tender cuts. Avoid super lean meat.

1. Can I air fry beef stew from frozen?

It’s best to thaw the beef completely before air frying to ensure even cooking.

1. How do I get the sauce thick?

Stirring in a cornstarch slurry at the end will help thicken the stew to a nice, luxurious texture.

1. Do I need to preheat my air fryer?

Yes, always preheat for 5-10 mins to bring it to the proper cooking temperature before adding food.

1. Should I toss or shake the ingredients midway?

It’s a good idea to toss or shake halfway through to promote even browning and cooking.

Make This Stew in Any Air Fryer

This beef stew recipe works wonderfully in any model or brand of air fryer, including:

• Cosori Air Fryer
• Instant Pot Air Fryer
• Ninja Foodi
• Cuisinart Air Fryer
• Philips Airfryer
• NuWave Brio
• Instant Vortex Air Fryer
• Chefman Air Fryer

No matter what air fryer you own, you can make this stew conveniently right at home. The results are tender, fall-apart meat and vegetables in an incredible sauce.

Serve this beef stew with a loaf of crusty bread or buttery biscuits to sop up every last drop of sauce. Leftovers can be stored for 2-3 days in the fridge or frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat individual portions as needed for quick weeknight meals.