This Easy Air Fryer Beef Lo Mein is a quick, flavorful stir-fry with tender beef, crisp vegetables, and perfectly cooked noodles tossed in a savory sauce. Ready in minutes, it’s a satisfying weeknight dinner that tastes like takeout without the wait.
Skip the takeout line and make restaurant-quality Beef Lo Mein right at home with your air fryer.
This easy recipe combines tender strips of beef, crisp vegetables, and perfectly cooked noodles tossed in a savory, garlicky sauce.
Ready in minutes, it’s a flavorful weeknight dinner that’s simple to prep, packed with texture, and sure to satisfy the whole family.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- Quick and convenient: Ready in minutes using the air fryer for faster cooking.
- Takeout flavor at home: Savory, garlicky sauce makes it taste like restaurant-style lo mein.
- Tender beef and crisp veggies: Perfect texture with every bite.
- Family-friendly: A balanced, satisfying meal everyone will enjoy.
- Customizable: Swap veggies, noodles, or protein to suit your taste.
Ingredients Needed
- Lo Mein noodles: Soft, tender noodles perfect for stir-fry dishes.
- Broccoli florets: Crisp, fresh broccoli for texture and added nutrition.
- Sesame oil: Nutty oil to enhance flavor and aroma of stir-fry.
- Flank steak: Thinly sliced beef cooked against the grain for tenderness.
- Salt: Enhances flavors and balances savory ingredients in the dish.
- Black pepper: Adds mild heat and depth to the stir-fry.
- Minced garlic: Aromatic garlic to boost savory, rich flavor in stir-fry.
- Minced ginger: Fresh ginger for a warm, zesty, slightly spicy flavor.
- Red bell pepper: Sweet, crunchy pepper adding color and flavor to stir-fry.
- Sliced water chestnuts: Crunchy, slightly sweet pieces for texture in stir-fry.
- Shredded carrot: Adds sweetness, color, and a tender crunch to dish.
- Brown sugar: Sweetens sauce and balances savory, salty flavors in stir-fry.
- Soy sauce: Salty, umami-rich sauce to enhance overall flavor of noodles.
- Hoisin sauce: Sweet and savory sauce for depth and richness in stir-fry.
- Sriracha: Adds a mild spicy kick and bold flavor to noodles.
- Sesame oil (for finishing): Drizzle for fragrant, nutty flavor at end of cooking.
- Garnish (sesame seeds and green onions): Adds crunch, color, and fresh, flavorful finish.
Recipe Variations
- Protein swaps: Use chicken, shrimp, tofu, or pork instead of beef.
- Noodle options: Try rice noodles, soba noodles, or whole wheat noodles for variety.
- Veggie mix: Add snap peas, baby corn, mushrooms, or spinach for extra color and nutrition.
- Spice it up: Increase sriracha or add chili flakes for a spicier kick.
- Sauce variations: Substitute teriyaki or oyster sauce for a different flavor profile.
- Low-sodium option: Use low-sodium soy sauce and adjust seasoning to taste.
How To Make Easy Air Fryer Beef Lo Mein Recipe
Step 1: Cook the lo mein noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Step 2:In a large saucepan, add broccoli and water, then simmer for 3–5 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.
Step 3: Slice the flank steak into long strips against the grain. Toss with salt, black pepper, minced garlic, and minced ginger.
Step 4: Place the seasoned beef in the air fryer at air fryer temperature of 400 degrees F. Cook for 3 minutes, then add diced bell pepper, water chestnuts, and shredded carrots. Continue cooking for 3-5 minutes, or until the beef is fully cooked and vegetables are softened.
Step 5: While the beef and vegetables are cooking, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sriracha, and sesame oil in a small bowl.
Step 6: Remove the cooked beef and vegetables from the air fryer and mix with the cooked noodles and broccoli. Toss everything together with the sauce until evenly coated.
Step 7: Sprinkle sesame seeds and diced green onions over the top. Plate, serve, and enjoy!
Easy Air Fryer Beef Lo Mein Recipe Tips
- Slice the beef thin and against the grain. This keeps the steak tender instead of chewy. Thick slices = tough bites. Keep them thin and even.
- Don’t overcook the noodles. Cook just until tender, then drain. Mushy noodles will fall apart once tossed with sauce.
- Cook in batches if needed. Overcrowding the air fryer steams the beef instead of giving it that nice sear. Give everything a little space.
- Add vegetables in stages. Hard veggies like carrots can go in earlier. Softer ones like bell peppers need less time so they stay crisp.
- Taste the sauce before mixing. Want it sweeter? Add a pinch of brown sugar. Need more salt? A splash of soy sauce. Like heat? Extra sriracha. Make it yours.
- Toss while everything is hot. The sauce coats the noodles best when the beef and veggies are fresh out of the air fryer.
Storing Instructions
- Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. The flavors get even better the next day.
- Freezer: You can freeze it for up to 2 months, though the noodles may soften slightly after thawing. Store in freezer-safe containers.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between. Add a splash of water or soy sauce to loosen the noodles if needed. You can also reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through.
Easy Air Fryer Beef Lo Mein Recipe Faqs
Can I use a different cut of beef? Yes. Sirloin, skirt steak, or even shaved steak works well. Just slice it thin and against the grain so it stays tender.
Can I use spaghetti instead of lo mein noodles? Absolutely. Regular spaghetti is a great substitute if that’s what you have on hand. Cook it just to al dente so it doesn’t get too soft.
Do I have to cook the broccoli separately? No, but it helps control texture. If you prefer, you can add it to the air fryer with the other vegetables—just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t overcook.
How do I keep the beef from drying out? Don’t overcook it. Thin slices cook fast in the air fryer. Pull it as soon as it’s done and toss with sauce right away.
Can I make this recipe spicy? Yes. Add more sriracha, a drizzle of chili oil, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you like heat.
Is this good for meal prep? Very. It reheats well and holds up for several days in the fridge, making it perfect for quick lunches.
Can I make it gluten-free? Yes. Use gluten-free noodles and swap the soy sauce and hoisin for gluten-free versions. Always double-check labels.
Can I add more vegetables? Go for it. Snap peas, mushrooms, cabbage, or baby corn all work great and bulk it up without much extra effort.
More Easy Air Fryer Meal Recipes
Easy Air Fryer Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
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Easy Air Fryer Beef Lo Mein Recipe
Description
Ingredients
- 8 ounces lo mein noodles
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 8 ounces flank steak, cut in long strips, against the grain
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 8 ounces sliced water chestnuts, drained and rinsed
- 1 medium carrot, shredded
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon sriracha
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- Garnish with: Sesame seeds and diced green onions
Instructions
- Cook the 8 ounces lo mein noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Add 2 cups broccoli florets and water to a large saucepan. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.
- Slice the 8 ounces flank steak into thin strips against the grain. Toss with 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 3 teaspoons minced garlic, and minced 1 teaspoon ginger.
- Place the seasoned steak in the air fryer and cook at air fryer temperature of 400 degrees F for 3 minutes. Add the diced 1 red bell pepper, 8 ounces sliced water chestnuts, and 1 medium carrot. Cook an additional 3–5 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and the beef is fully cooked.
- In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup brown sugar, ½ cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, 1 teaspoon sriracha, and 2 teaspoons sesame oil.
- Combine the cooked beef and vegetables with the prepared noodles and broccoli. Pour the sauce over the mixture and toss until evenly coated.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and diced green onions before serving. Serve warm.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Nutrition
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