Air Fryer Mongolian Beef with Crispy Flank Steak
A quick air fryer version of PF Chang's famous Mongolian beef featuring tender flank steak coated in cornstarch and cooked until crispy, then tossed in a sweet and savory sauce made with hoisin, brown sugar, and fresh ginger. The air fryer creates perfectly caramelized edges while keeping the meat juicy inside. This restaurant-style dish comes together in under 30 minutes and offers all the bold flavors of the original with less oil. Perfect for busy weeknight dinners when you want takeout flavors at home.
Ingredients
- 1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- ¼ cup soy sauce, low-sodiumtamari or coconut aminos1:1gluten-freegluten-freesoy-free
use tamari for gluten-free option
Full guide → - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon ginger, freshly grated
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes(optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced for garnish
- sesame seeds, for garnish(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine sliced flank steak, soy sauce, cornstarch, and minced garlic in a bowl
- 2
Toss until beef is well-coated and marinate for 15-20 minutes
- 3
Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F for a few minutes
- 4
Lightly brush or spray air fryer basket with vegetable oil
- 5
Place marinated beef in single layer in air fryer basket
- 6
Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until browned and crispy
- 7
Combine hoisin sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ginger, and red pepper flakes in small saucepan
- 8
Heat sauce over low heat until sugar dissolves and sauce is warmed through
- 9
Transfer cooked beef to large bowl and pour sauce over
- 10
Toss beef in sauce until well-coated
- 11
Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired
- 12
Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles
Tips
Cook beef in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket for even cooking
Let the beef marinate for the full 15-20 minutes to ensure the cornstarch coating adheres properly
Slice the flank steak very thinly against the grain for maximum tenderness
Good to Know
Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days in airtight container
Beef can be marinated up to 4 hours ahead, sauce can be made 1 day ahead
Best served immediately while beef is crispy, over steamed rice or noodles
Common Mistakes
Avoid overcrowding air fryer basket to prevent steaming
Don't skip marinating time to ensure proper coating
Cook beef in single layer to achieve crispiness
Substitutions
Gluten-Free Swaps
use tamari for gluten-free option
Full guide →General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes, sirloin or skirt steak work well. Slice thinly against the grain for tenderness.
What if I don't have an air fryer?
You can pan-fry the beef in a hot skillet with a little oil until crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side.
How long will leftovers keep?
Store in refrigerator up to 3 days. Reheat in air fryer for 2-3 minutes to restore crispiness.