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Top view of air fryer Mongolian beef on a white plate with sesame seeds and green onions.
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Air Fryer Mongolian Beef

Craving bold flavors? Try this easy copycat version of the popular takeout dish. It's ready in about 30 minutes with minimal cleanup—perfect for busy weeknights.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Weeknight Dinner
Cuisine: Chinese
Servings: 4
Calories: 357kcal
Author: Lori

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 pound flank steak thinly sliced in ¼ - ½ inch strips
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic cloves
  • sliced green onions and sesame seeds optional, for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees  F.
  • Toss the steak slices in the cornstarch to coat. Lightly mist the air fryer basket with oil and transfer steak to the basket. Cook for 12 minutes or until beef is crispy.
    1 pound flank steak, 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • Prepare the sauce while the beef is cooking. Add the oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic to a medium sized bowl and whisk to combine.
    3 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 tablespoon minced garlic cloves
  • Place the sauce mixture in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook for about 2 minutes or until the sauce has reduced. Transfer reduced sauce back to the bowl.
  • When the steak has finished cooking, add it to the bowl of sauce and stir to evenly coat the beef.
  • Top with garnishes if using.
    sliced green onions and sesame seeds

Notes

  • Cut the steak against the grain in thin, evenly-sized slices, about 1/4-1/2 inch strips.
  • For easier cutting, place steak in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before cutting.
  • We recommend using cornstarch instead of flour for this recipe because it makes the meat tender and gives it a crispy coating as it cooks.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. We don’t recommend reheating leftovers in the air fryer because the sauce is messy and will likely burn.
  • Serve with white or brown rice or use cauliflower rice for a low carb option. It’s also good over noodles.

Nutrition

Calories: 357kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 1216mg | Potassium: 547mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 0.3IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 2mg