Air Fryer Orange Beef

by: Air Fryer Eats Team
Updated: May 21, 2024


Looking for a new way to spice up steak night? Look no further! Air Fryer Orange Beef is the perfect way to do this, and so simple to prepare!

Vertical photo of a plate containing air fried orange beef & rice with green onions on top. In the bacground there is a black air fryer with silver handle. Also in the background are two bottled sauces and an orange.

What is Orange beef?

If you love steak, you’ll love this Air Fryer Orange Beef! Fresh, zesty orange mixed with ginger brings an immense flavor to the crispy beef without being overpowering.

It has a crispy texture similar to orange chicken and goes well with rice or noodles.

Are you a fan of the takeaway, but not the prices? Keep reading…

Our Air Fryer Beef And Broccoli recipe not only helps you create this restaurant-worthy dish in your air fryer, it is cooked in less time than it takes the local takeout to deliver! How about a posh appetizer that you may have only seen in a fancy restaurant? Our Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms are perfect as a starter, snack or side dish!

What You’ll Need

Overhead shot of ingredients for air fryer orange beef. Cornstarch, beef, orange juice and zest, molasses, rice vinegar, soy sauce, minced garlic, ginger powder, sesame oil and green onions.
  • Top Sirloin Beef – Good quality beef is needed here to get the best from the recipe.
  • Cornstarch – Used often in Asian cooking, cornstarch acts as a thickener for sauces and a crispy breading for meat and vegetables.
  • Orange Juice – This is what gives orange beef its orange flavor! Fresh or store-bought is fine.
  • Orange Zest – Use aย microplaneย or fine grater to pull the orange-colored zest from the outside of an orange. This holds the orange’s essential oil and gives lots of flavor to the dish.
  • Fancy Molasses – Molasses help to keep food moist and provide a chewier texture.
  • Rice Vinegar – This can be found in the Asian section of your grocery store. If you don’t have it, substitute your favorite vinegar instead.
  • Soy Sauce – The ultimate salty, umami flavor enhancer, soy sauce is the base of most Chinese dishes.
  • Minced Garlic – Fresh, minced garlic gives the sauce a lovely flavor.
  • Ginger Powder – Using powdered ginger saves a couple of steps, making this air fryer recipe quick and easy!
  • Sesame Oil – Regular sesame oil or toasted sesame oil gives a nutty flavor.
  • Green Onion – The fresh taste and color of green onion helps to elevate the dish!

how to make it

Vertical photo of a 6-step collage showing each step in order to complete the recipe
  1. Mix your steak and 1/4 cup cornstarch together in a bowl. Mix well so that the steak is fully incorporated with the starch. Place in air fryer basket and spray with oil.
  2. Cook in the air fryer at 380ยฐF/193ยบC for 6 minutes per batch, do not overcrowd the meat.
  3. While your steak is cooking, mix all of the remaining ingredients in a small saucepan.ย 
  4. Cook on medium heat for about five minutes allowing the flavors to simmer.
  5. Once your steak has finished cooking in the air fryer, transfer it to a large bowl. Add your sauce over the steak and mix well.
  6. Top with sesame seeds or green onions and enjoy!
Close up vertical photo of air fried orange beef with rice on a white plate. In the background there is a black air fryer

how to serve

Our orange beef goes well served with rice or noodles. Add a side of Air Fryer Green Beans, or maybe make an entire meal of it by adding one of our Air Fryer Baked Potatoes? The possibilities are endless!

Overhead shot of a white plate containing air fried orange beef and rice topped with green onion. To the right of the plate is a pair of chopsticks. In the background is a black air fryer with silver handle.

Freezing for later

This beef will lose some of its crispiness if you freeze it. Should you choose to freeze it, allow it to fully cool and then freeze in an airtight container. The taste will still be just as delicious!

Reheating

Simply remove the orange beef from the freezer the night before and defrost overnight. Once fully defrosted, reheat in the air fryer or microwave until piping hot and enjoy!

Close up vertical photo of air fried orange beef with rice on a white plate. In the background there is a black air fryer
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Air Fryer Orange Beef

Looking for a new way to spice up steak night? Look no further! Air Fryer Orange Beef is the perfect way to do this, and so simple to prepare!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time18 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 234kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Top Sirloin Beef thinly sliced about ยผ inch thick
  • 1/4 cup Cornstarch + 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Orange Juice or 4 freshly squeezed Clementine's
  • 2 tbsp Orange Zest
  • 1.5 tbsp Molasses fancy molasses work best here
  • 1/2 tbsp Rice Vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Garlic minced
  • 1/2 tbsp Ginger Powder
  • 1/2 tbsp Sesame Oil
  • 1/2 cup Green Onion plus more for garnish

Instructions

  • Mix your steak and 1/4 cup cornstarch together in a bowl. Mix well so that the steak is fully incorporated with the starch. Place in air fryer basket and spray with oil.
  • Cook in the air fryer at 380ยฐF/193ยบC for 6 minutes per batch, do not over crowd the meat.
  • While your steak is cooking, mix all of the remaining ingredients in a small saucepan.
  • Cook on medium for about five minutes allowing the flavors to simmer.
  • Once your steak has finished cooking in the air fryer, transfer to a large bowl. Add your sauce over the steak and mix well.
  • Serve over rice, or noodles. Top with sesame seeds or green onions and enjoy!

Notes

Pro Tip: This recipe can be made in the air fryer unit with a basket or the air fryer oven. If you are using the air fryer oven, use the middle rack and select the “Air Fry” function.
Pro Tip: Check your food as it cooks. Each air fryer runs a bit differently. Sometimes air frying is a trial and error process. Check your food as it cooks to learn your air fryer better!ย  When cooking a new recipe or food items be sure to check your food often to help avoid over/under cooking.
Have oven recipes that youโ€™d like to convert to an air fryer recipe? Use our Air Fryer Calculator to help you estimate cooking times and temps! Calculator here: https://airfryereats.com/air-fryer-conversion-air-fryer-calculator/

Nutrition

Calories: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 321mg | Potassium: 612mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 169IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 3mg
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