Introduction

Oh, hello there, friend! Come on in and pull up a virtual chair. You know, sometimes I get that craving for something warm, savory, and just plain satisfying, but I don’t have the time (or the weather!) for a full-blown grilling session. That’s where my trusty air fryer comes in! Today, we’re making something that feels special enough for a weekend treat but is ridiculously easy for a weeknight dinner: Air Fryer Beef Kebabs. Trust me, these little skewers of deliciousness are about to become a regular in your rotation. They’re quick, mess-free, and packed with flavor. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Dinner on the table in a flash? Yes, please! The air fryer works its magic quickly.
Easy: Simple steps, minimal ingredients, and cleanup is a breeze. Perfect for busy days!
Giftable: While maybe not wrapping up skewers, this recipe is a fantastic one to share – bring a batch to a potluck, a BBQ, or even just make extra for a friend!
Crowd-Pleasing: Who doesn’t love food on a stick? These are always a hit with both kids and adults.

Ingredients

Gather ’round, let’s look at what we need. Chances are, you might already have most of these hanging out in your kitchen!

1 lb Beef chuck ribs: Cut these into nice, bite-sized cubes, maybe about 1-inch pieces. Chuck ribs are fantastic for flavor and tenderness when cooked quickly like this.
1 Bell pepper: Any color works! Red, yellow, orange, green – pick your favorite. Cut it into pieces roughly the same size as your beef cubes so everything cooks evenly.
1/2 Onion: A standard yellow or red onion is great. Cut these into pieces too, similar in size to the pepper and beef. They get wonderfully sweet and tender as they cook.
2 tbsp Soy sauce: Our simple marinade starter! This adds a lovely savory depth and helps tenderize the beef slightly.
1/3 cup Low-fat sour cream: While not used in the cooking itself in this method, this is fantastic served alongside as a cool, creamy dip!
8 6-inch skewers: If you’re using wooden skewers, make sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before using. This helps prevent them from burning in the air fryer.

How to Make It

Okay, time to turn these simple ingredients into yummy kebabs! Follow these easy steps:

First things first, grab a medium-sized bowl. Toss your cut beef cubes into the bowl. Pour the 2 tablespoons of soy sauce over the beef. Give it a good mix to make sure every little cube is coated. You can let this sit for 10-15 minutes if you have time, but it’s not strictly necessary if you’re in a rush!
Now for the fun part – threading! Grab your soaked skewers. Carefully thread the marinated beef, bell pepper pieces, and onion pieces onto the skewers. I like to alternate them so each skewer has a mix of everything. Try not to pack them too tightly, leave a tiny bit of space between pieces so the hot air can circulate around them.
Time to get the air fryer ready! Place the assembled skewers in your air fryer basket. This is really important: make sure they are in a single layer and don’t overlap! If they’re crowded, they’ll steam instead of air fry, and you won’t get those lovely cooked edges. You’ll likely need to cook these in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer basket.
Air fry those beauties! Now, air fryers vary, but I usually find that cooking them at around 390°F (195°C) for about 8-12 minutes does the trick. Halfway through the cooking time (around the 4-6 minute mark), carefully flip the skewers over using tongs so they cook evenly on both sides. Keep an eye on them! You’re looking for the beef to be cooked through to your desired doneness and the vegetables to be tender with slightly browned edges.

Carefully remove the hot skewers from the air fryer and let them rest for just a minute before serving. If you have that sour cream handy, now’s the perfect time to offer it as a cool dip!

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is super flexible! Feel free to play around:

Veggies: Swap bell peppers and onions for cherry tomatoes, zucchini chunks, mushrooms, or even pineapple pieces for a sweet and savory twist.
Meat: Not a beef fan? Try cubed chicken thighs, pork tenderloin, or even large shrimp. Adjust cooking time as needed (chicken/pork will need similar times, shrimp will be faster). Cubed firm tofu is a great vegetarian option!
Marinade: Instead of just soy sauce, try adding garlic powder, ginger, a little honey, sesame oil, or even your favorite bottled teriyaki or BBQ sauce. Just a tablespoon or two is usually enough for the air fryer.

Tips for Success

A few pointers to make sure your kebabs turn out perfectly:

Uniform Cuts: Try to cut your beef, peppers, and onions into roughly the same size pieces. This helps everything cook at the same rate.
Don’t Overcrowd: I know I mentioned it in the instructions, but it’s worth repeating! Overcrowding is the number one mistake people make with air fryers. Cook in batches for the best results.
Soak Wooden Skewers: Seriously, do it! It stops them from getting scorched in the dry heat of the air fryer. If you have metal skewers, even better!
Check for Doneness: Since cooking times vary, the best way to tell if the beef is done is to check the internal temperature (for medium-rare, it’s around 130-135°F; medium is 140-145°F; well-done is 160°F and up). Veggies should be tender-crisp.
Prep Ahead: You can totally cut up all your beef and veggies a day in advance and keep them in separate containers in the fridge. Then, just marinate and thread when you’re ready to cook!

How to Store It

If you happen to have any delicious leftovers (a rare occurrence in my house!), let the kebabs cool completely. You can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes at a lower temperature (like 350°F or 175°C) until heated through, or gently warm them in a skillet.

FAQs

Got questions? I’ve got (quick) answers!

Q: Do I really need to soak wooden skewers?
A: Yes, it’s a quick step that makes a big difference in preventing them from burning or smoking in your air fryer.
Q: How long exactly do they take?
A: It really depends on your air fryer and how thick your meat/veggie pieces are. Start checking around 8 minutes and add more time as needed until the beef is cooked to your liking and the veggies are tender.
Q: Can I use different cuts of beef?
A: Absolutely! Sirloin, tenderloin, or even flank steak cut into cubes would work well too. Just make sure to cut against the grain for maximum tenderness.
Q: What about that sour cream?
A: Ah yes! While not mixed into the cooking, low-fat sour cream (or even Greek yogurt!) makes a wonderful, cool, creamy dip to serve with these hot kebabs.

There you have it! A super simple, super tasty way to enjoy beef and veggie kebabs any night of the week, thanks to the magic of the air fryer. Give them a try and let me know what you think!

Easy & Delicious Air Fryer Beef Kebabs

Quick and easy beef and veggie skewers cooked in the air fryer for a fast weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing treat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 10

Equipment

Air Fryer
Medium-sized bowl
Skewers Use 6-inch wooden or metal skewers. If using wooden, soak in water for at least 30 minutes before use.
Tongs

Ingredients

Hauptzutaten

1 lb Beef chuck ribs Cut into 1-inch cubes.
1 Bell pepper Any color; cut into pieces similar in size to beef cubes.
0.5 Onion Yellow or red; cut into pieces similar in size to beef cubes.
2 tbsp Soy sauce
0.33 cup Low-fat sour cream Optional, for serving as a dip.
8 6-inch skewers Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before use.

Instructions

In a medium-sized bowl, toss your cut beef cubes with the 2 tablespoons of soy sauce. Mix well to coat. You can let this marinate for 10-15 minutes if you have time, but it's not strictly necessary.
Thread the marinated beef, bell pepper pieces, and onion pieces onto the soaked skewers, alternating ingredients. Try not to pack them too tightly, leaving a little space between pieces for air circulation.
Place the assembled skewers in your air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. You will likely need to cook these in batches.
Air fry at 390°F (195°C) for about 8-12 minutes. Carefully flip the skewers halfway through the cooking time (around the 4-6 minute mark) using tongs. Cook until the beef is done to your liking and the vegetables are tender.
Carefully remove the hot skewers from the air fryer and let them rest for just a minute before serving. Serve with low-fat sour cream as a dip, if desired.

Notes

Ensure beef, pepper, and onion pieces are roughly the same size for even cooking. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches for best results. If using wooden skewers, remember to soak them. You can cut up beef and veggies a day in advance and store them separately in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at a lower temperature (like 350°F or 175°C) for a few minutes or warm gently in a skillet.