Air Fryer Beef Kabobs
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Shake up your weeknight dinner rotation with these easy air fryer beef kabobs. Each skewer is stacked with tender steak, fresh veggies and marinated in a flavorful teriyaki sauce for an easy dinner option.
Steak meals are delicious but aren’t always convenient in terms of using an outdoor grill, which is the most common cooking technique. And I strongly dislike making steak on the stovetop because of the mess it leaves – it’s just not worth the effort!
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We’re sharing tips to help you get the best results with this recipe. If you don’t need the tips, scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and a printable recipe card.
The air fryer is one of my favorite cooking methods. It’s simple to use and most recipes require minimal ingredients. Combined with quicker cooking times and an easier cleanup it’s no wonder this is my favorite small appliance.
When I realized I had extra skirt steak that needed to be used I decided to make beef kabobs in the air fryer. Today I am piling on the peppers and onions, but you can customize these kabobs any way your heart desires (I’ve included some options below).
This isn’t the first time I’ve experimented with making steak in the air fryer. I’ve previously made air fried filet mignon and flank steak – both were juicy with delicious flavor. Bottom line is that the air fryer is a great way to cook a juicy steak.
New to air frying? Get the low down on maximizing your usage of this amazing small appliance, including easy clean up tips, with our best air fryer tips for beginners.
Ingredients
- skirt steak – you’ll need about 1 1/2 pounds.
- teriyaki sauce marinade – for ease, we are using store-bought. If you have a homemade version you love, that will work as well.
- yellow or red bell peppers – use your favorite, they both taste delicious.
- onion – I chose a white onion, because that’s what I had on hand. Red onions can also be used but keep in mind their flavor is a little stronger.
- green onions and sesame seeds – these are a garnish, so totally optional.
- red pepper flakes – if you like a little heat, optional.
Get the complete ingredients & directions in the recipe card below.
How to Make Air Fryer Beef Kabobs
Add the steak and teriyaki marinade to a large bowl and stir to evenly coat the meat. Marinate for at least 30 minutes. If you are going to let it sit longer than that, cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator.
If using wooden skewers soak them in water for 15 to 20 minutes while the meat is marinating.
Prep vegetables by slicing the onions and peppers into 1 inch pieces.
Remove the steak from the marinade and slice into 1-inch cubes. Reserve the marinade for later use.
Unsure which oil to use? Check out our handy guide to the Best Oil for Air Fryers.
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
Now it’s time to start putting the kebabs together. Start with a piece of pepper, a slice of onion, then thread beef onto the skewer. Repeat the pattern, continuing until all the kabobs have been assembled.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Place kebabs in a single layer into the basket, leaving a little room between each one for the air to circulate.
Brush the beef skewers with the remainder of the marinade.
Air fry for 5 minutes, then flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes or until you’ve reached the desired internal temperature (see below for preferred temperatures).
Transfer the kabobs to a plate, cover with foil and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes.
Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Get the low down on our 12 must-have accessories for air fryer cooking.
Tips for Making
- For best results, let the steak sit out for 20-30 minutes before air frying. This helps it to cook more evenly.
- Depending on the size of your air fryer the wooden skewers may need to be trimmed to fit. Most air fryer baskets will hold 6-inch skewers and larger models can hold 8-inch skewers.
- The yield will vary based on the size of the kabob skewers.
- When assembling the kabobs, leave enough space at the ends so they are easier to handle and pick up.
- Any color of bell pepper can be used but the sweet red, yellow, and orange bell peppers compliment the teriyaki flavor the best.
- Avoid overcooking the steak as it will be tough.
- While most people use wooden skewers, you can use metal skewers if preferred. The metal ones can often be found in the air fryer accessory kits. We love the kits because you don’t have to purchase each gadget separately and it’s cheaper to purchase the bundle. Note: you do not need to soak metal skewers.
In the market for a new air fryer? Get the scoop on all the options to help you choose the right air fryer.
How long to cook beef kebabs in the air fryer
We like our steak cooked to a Medium temperature (about 10 minutes cooking time). Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Rare: 120-125ยฐF, Medium rare: 130-135ยฐF, Medium: 140-145ยฐF, Medium well: 150-155ยฐF, Well: 160-165ยฐF.
Recipe Variations
- Protein: you can use other cuts of steak like top sirloin, tenderloin or any lean steak in place of the skirt steak. Chicken or shrimp can also be used in this recipe.
- Vegetables: zucchini and mushrooms are great additions for kabobs.
- Fruits: pineapple and cherry tomatoes are good options.
What to Serve With Steak Kebabs
Serve these easy air fryer steak kabobs with steamed white or brown rice or on lettuce for wraps for a complete meal. They also pair well with twice baked potatoes or diced potatoes for a heartier dinner. You can repurpose leftovers by serving on flour tortillas for another simple meal.
How to Store
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, either on or off the skewers.
Reheat in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for a couple of minutes until warm. If you are reheating in the microwave, we recommend removing steak and veggies from the skewers before heating.
MORE EASY
Air Fryer Dinner Recipes
**Save the Air Fryer Beef Kabobs Recipe for Later**
Air Fryer Beef Kabobs
Equipment
- 6-inch wooden skewers
Ingredients
- 1 skirt steak, about 1.5 pounds
- 1 cup teriyaki sauce marinade
- 2 medium bell peppers, any color
- 1 white onion
- green onions and sesame seeds for garnish, optional
- red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- Place the steak in a bowl and add the teriyaki sauce and red pepper flakes if using. Marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. Cover and refrigerate if marinating for more than 30 minutes.
- If using wood skewers, soak them in water for 15-20 minutes while the meat is marinating.
- Cut the onion and peppers into 1โ-inch pieces.
- Remove the steak from the marinade and cut into 1-inch pieces. Reserve the leftover marinade.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Start assembling the skewers: begin with a pepper slice, then an onion slice and a piece of steak. Repeat until the skewer is full. Leave a little room at the end of each skewer to make it easier to pick up. Continue until you've used up all the meat and veggies.
- Lightly grease the air fryer basket and add kabobs in a single layer. Leave a little bit of room between the skewers.
- Drizzle or brush the reserved marinade on the the kabobs.
- Cook the skewers for 10 minutes for medium, turning at the halfway point.
- Transfer kabobs from the basket to a plate, tent with foil and let rest for 5-10 minutes.
- Garnish kebabs with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if using.
- Serve with steamed rice or lettuce leaves for wraps.
Notes
- Make sure the 6″ wooden skewers fit your air fryer basket before you start assembling them. If they’re too big trim them to fit.
- For best results, allow steak to sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before cooking.
- We like our steak at a medium temperature (about 10 minutes cooking time). Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.ย Rare: 120-125ยฐF,ย Mediumย rare: 130-135ยฐF,ย Medium: 140-145ยฐF,ย Mediumย well: 150-155ยฐF,ย Well: 160-165ยฐF.
- Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container for 2-3 days. To reheat in the air fryer: cook at 350 degrees F for a couple minutes until heated through. If reheating in the microwave it’s best to remove the skewers before heating.
Nutritional Estimate
Nutritional information is provided as a reference, using an online calculator. We recommend verifying the information independently for accuracy.
