Can you make air fryer beef stew? Yes. With a few adjustments, you can enjoy a rich, comforting stew made using an air fryer. This air fryer beef stew swaps traditional, slow-braised stew meat for quick-cooking steak bites, and builds a thick, flavorful gravy before combining everything. If you thought stew couldn’t be made in an air fryer, this beef and vegetable stew proves otherwise.
Quick and easy great flavor.
– Carl
A reader recently asked whether stew could be made in an air fryer. The main issue with a classic stew meat recipe is the cut of meat: traditional stew meat (like chuck) needs long, slow braising to break down connective tissue and become tender. Air fryers cook quickly with dry heat, which can leave those tougher cuts unpleasantly tough. For that reason, I don’t recommend cooking traditional stew meat directly in an air fryer.
That said, you can still make a delicious air fryer beef stew by using a tender, fast-cooking cut—such as ribeye or another steak—and preparing the gravy ahead of time. The approach here is unconventional but effective: sear and rest the steak, air fry the vegetables, make and thicken the gravy, then combine and finish briefly in the air fryer so flavors come together and, if desired, biscuits finish baking on top.
The result is a flavorful beef and vegetable stew that’s tender and comforting—made with the convenience of an air fryer.
⭐ Air Fryer Beef Stew Ingredients
Ingredients for air fryer beef stew:
- 8 ounces ribeye steak
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 clove garlic (finely chopped)
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder (or garlic powder)
- ½ carrot (about 2 ounces)
- ½ small peeled potato (about 4 ounces)
- ¼ onion (about 2 ounces)
- ½ rib celery (about 1 ounce)
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1 teaspoon double-concentrated tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon red wine
- ½ cup hot beef stock
- ½ teaspoon xanthan gum (for thickening)
- 5 small canned biscuits (optional)
- Cooking oil spray (optional)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter (optional)
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Scroll to the recipe card below for a printable version and step-by-step instructions.
I tested this on multiple air fryers, including air fryer ovens and smaller basket models. You can use most brands—Ninja, Philips, Cosori, Breville, Instant Pot Vortex, and others—though cooking times will vary. When trying this recipe for the first time with a new air fryer, check food early and adjust times as needed. I include tips for both oven-style air fryers and compact basket units.
Helpful tools: a sharp knife, a pastry brush, a meat thermometer, and an oven-safe pan or ramekin that fits your air fryer. I use an 8×8-inch aluminum pan in my air fryer oven and a 2-cup ramekin in smaller baskets.
Can you air fry stew meat?
You can air fry beef cubes for stew, but avoid using traditional chuck-style stew meat in the air fryer. Instead, use steak tips, sirloin, or other quick-cooking cuts. You can also make air fryer stew using chicken or lamb leftovers if preferred.
➕ How to Make Stew in Air Fryer
Finish temperature and timing: After cooking meat and vegetables separately, assemble and finish the stew in the air fryer at 325°F (163°C) for about 3–5 minutes so the gravy sets and any optional biscuits finish baking.
If using biscuits, start by spraying the basket or tray with non-aerosol cooking spray and arrange biscuits in a single layer without touching. Air fry biscuits at 325°F (163°C) for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway. They should be slightly underdone because they’ll return to the fryer later.
After baking, set biscuits aside. Next prepare the steak: combine balsamic, soy sauce, garlic, and onion powder and brush on the steak. You can marinate briefly or cook immediately.
Air fry steak at 400°F (200°C). For an air fryer oven, use the top rack if possible. Cook about 10 minutes, flip, then continue 5–10 more minutes, checking after 3 minutes. Aim for your preferred doneness (medium-rare is recommended) and confirm with a thermometer.
How Long to Cook Stew Meat in Air Fryer
After air frying, let the steak rest 10 minutes, then cut into 1-inch cubes. Resting helps keep the meat juicy. While the steak rests, dice the carrot, potato, onion, and celery into ½-inch pieces and toss with a tablespoon of oil.
Air fry vegetables at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes, adding time as needed until they’re tender but not heavily browned. Larger pieces will take longer; try to keep them uniform for even cooking.
Whisk together the tomato paste, red wine, hot beef broth, thyme, and xanthan gum to make the gravy. Xanthan gum thickens without heating and is ideal for this method because it works at a range of temperatures.
How Long to Cook Casserole in Air Fryer
To assemble, stir the steak cubes, vegetables, and gravy together in an oven-safe baking dish or ramekin that fits your air fryer. Top with the biscuits if using and brush them with melted butter. Finish at 325°F (163°C) for about 3–5 minutes—this finishes the biscuits and lets the gravy thicken slightly. Use the middle rack in an air fryer oven.
When serving, sprinkle with grated Parmesan and a little parsley if desired. This recipe yields two servings—perfect for a couple or a small family meal.
🌡️ How to Store Leftover Stew
Store leftover stew covered in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Keep biscuits separate in an airtight container for up to a day to prevent sogginess. Reheat stew in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl for 1½–2 minutes on high. Reheat biscuits in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 3–4 minutes, then place on top of the warmed stew to serve.
🥶 How to Freeze Stew
Freezing this specific stew is not recommended because the potatoes can become mushy after thawing. If you want to freeze stew, omit or replace potatoes with a firmer vegetable that freezes well.
🥗 What goes with stew?
Beef stew with biscuits is a satisfying one-dish meal. Other sides that pair well include roasted or air-fried vegetables, garlic bread, cornbread, or a simple green salad.
FAQs
Can you cook frozen stew meat in air fryer?
Traditional stew cuts like chuck are better braised than air fried. If you use quick-cooking cuts such as sirloin, ribeye, or chicken and lamb, you can cook them from frozen in an air fryer—though times will vary.
Can you make crispy beef strips in air fryer?
Yes. Air fryers are great for crispy beef strips when prepared and seasoned appropriately. For crunchy results, cut thin, pat dry, season or coat, and cook at higher heat in a single layer.
How to make air fryer stew gluten free?
Make the stew gluten free by skipping the biscuits and substituting tamari for soy sauce. Ensure any broth or packaged ingredients are labeled gluten free.
Can you air fry raw beef?
Yes. An air fryer cooks raw beef similarly to a convection oven. In this recipe we air fry raw steak before cutting it into cubes for the stew.
Do you boil meat before air frying?
No. Boiling is not necessary. Air fryers circulate hot air to cook meat effectively without pre-boiling.
📋 Air Fryer Stew Calories
Estimated nutrition per serving (with biscuits): about 784 calories, 56 g carbohydrates, and 27 g protein. Omitting the biscuits reduces the calorie count significantly (around 509 kcal per serving without biscuits).
👨🏾🍳 Other Air Fryer Beef Recipes
Try other air fryer beef options such as air fryer meatballs, flank steak, roast beef, or meatloaf for variety and quick dinners.
Air Fryer Beef Stew Recipe (Cooking Stew Meat)
Summer Yule
Ingredients
- 8 ounces ribeye steak (227 g)
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ carrot (about 2 oz)
- ½ small peeled potato (about 4 oz)
- ¼ onion
- ½ rib celery
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon double-concentrated tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon red wine
- ½ cup hot beef bone broth
- ½ teaspoon xanthan gum
- 5 small canned biscuits (optional)
- Cooking oil spray (optional)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter (optional)
- Grated Parmesan, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Spray the air fryer basket or tray and arrange biscuits in a single layer. Air fry at 325°F (163°C) for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway, until just underdone. Set aside.
- Mix balsamic, soy sauce, garlic, and onion powder. Brush onto the steak and marinate briefly if desired.
- Air fry the steak at 400°F (200°C) for about 10 minutes, flip, then cook another 5–10 minutes depending on desired doneness. Use a meat thermometer to check.
- Let steak rest 10 minutes, then cut into 1-inch cubes.
- Dice the vegetables into ½-inch pieces, toss with oil, and air fry at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes or until tender.
- Whisk tomato paste, red wine, hot beef broth, thyme, and xanthan gum to make the gravy.
- Combine steak, vegetables, and gravy in an oven-safe dish or ramekin. Top with biscuits if using and brush them with melted butter. Air fry at 325°F (163°C) for 3–5 minutes to finish.
- Sprinkle with grated Parmesan if desired and serve.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Knife
- Silicone pastry brush
- Kitchen thermometer
- 8″x8″ aluminum pan or a 2-cup ramekin
Notes
Expert tips: This recipe is higher in calories when served with biscuits. Omitting biscuits lowers calories and carbs. The wine used in the gravy won’t fully cook off in this quick method, so use a small amount. Making the stew ahead and refrigerating for 1–2 days allows flavors to meld and improves depth, similar to slow-cooked stew.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 56 g
Protein: 27.2 g
Fat: 47 g
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