If you’re craving a quick, flavorful dinner that feels like a fiesta in your mouth, you’re in for a treat with this Air Fryer Steak Fajitas Recipe. It’s hands-down one of my favorite weeknight meals because it’s packed with tender, juicy steak and perfectly roasted peppers and onions—all cooked fast and easy in the air fryer. Whether you’re new to air frying or just looking for a fresh way to enjoy fajitas, I promise you’re going to love how simple and satisfying this recipe is.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Speedy and Convenient: You get tender steak and roasted veggies cooked to perfection in under 20 minutes.
- Healthy and Flavorful: Minimal oil and a bold spice blend pack tons of flavor without extra calories.
- Versatile & Customizable: Perfect for tortillas, salads, or even bowls—adjust spices to your preference.
- Easy Cleanup: One air fryer basket means less mess and more time to enjoy your meal.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Air Fryer Steak Fajitas Recipe shines because it combines bold, smoky spices with robust, fresh veggies and the perfect cut of steak. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in keeping the dish juicy, vibrant, and packed with flavor, while the air fryer delivers quick roasting without sogginess.

- Skirt Steak: Thin slicing against the grain keeps it tender with just the right chew—perfect for fajitas.
- Red & Green Bell Peppers: Add sweetness, color, and a satisfying crunch after air frying.
- Red Onion: Roasts beautifully in the air fryer, balancing the spice with its subtle sweetness.
- Oil: Helps the spices stick and the veggies caramelize without drying out.
- Chili Powder & Cumin: Classic smoky fajita spices that bring warmth and earthiness.
- Sugar: Just a touch to balance the heat and acidity, but you can easily skip for low-carb versions.
- Salt & Garlic/Onion Powder: Elevate every bite with deep savory notes.
- Cayenne: Adds a gentle kick—adjust it to suit your heat tolerance.
Note:
Exact ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
Make It Your Way
I like to play around with this Air Fryer Steak Fajitas Recipe depending on what’s in my fridge or my mood. Feel free to swap veggies or adjust spices to make it your own—it’s one of those recipes that’s forgiving and fun to personalize.
- Variation: I’ve tried swapping skirt steak for more affordable sirloin or flank steak, and honestly, it works beautifully without losing tenderness.
- Keto-Friendly: Dropping the sugar and serving the fajita mix over a bed of greens makes it my go-to low-carb dinner.
- Veggie Boost: Add sliced mushrooms or zucchini for extra texture and nutrition. Air fryer handles these like a charm.
- Spice It Up: If you love heat, I bump up the cayenne or toss in some chipotle powder for a smoky twist.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Steak Fajitas Recipe

Step 1: Slice and Prep Like a Pro
First things first, you want to slice your skirt steak into thin strips against the grain. This is crucial—it breaks down muscle fibers and keeps each bite tender. I use a sharp knife and make slices about a quarter-inch thick. Then, slice your red and green bell peppers and red onion into similar strips to keep things uniform for even cooking.
Step 2: Toss with Oil and Spice Mix
Drizzle about a tablespoon of oil over your meat and veggies—this helps the seasoning stick and encourages that lovely caramelization. In a separate bowl, mix chili powder, cumin, sugar, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne into a fragrant blend. Sprinkle this evenly over everything, then toss until the meat and veggies are fully coated and looking delicious.
Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection
Pop the mixture into your air fryer basket—make sure you lightly oil the basket beforehand to avoid sticking. Set your air fryer to 390°F and cook for 12 minutes total. Every 5 minutes, give the basket a gentle shake to ensure even cooking and gorgeous browning on all sides. You’ll notice the steak gets just the right sear, and the vegetables soften while still keeping a bit of crunch. That’s the magic moment!
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!
Once your fajita mixture is ready, serve it immediately with warm tortillas and your favorite toppings. My go-to is a squeeze of lime, fresh cilantro, maybe some sliced avocado or a dollop of sour cream. That freshness balances the smoky, spicy steak perfectly.
Pro Tips for Making Air Fryer Steak Fajitas Recipe
- Cutting Against the Grain: This step is key for tender steak—trust me, it makes all the difference in bite.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Give your steak and veggies space to air fry properly, so they crisp up instead of steam.
- Shake It Up: Shaking the basket halfway through cooking ensures everything gets that beautiful, even sear.
- Use Fresh Spices: Fresh, potent spices really bring out the flavor here—old spices can make this bland, so shop smart!
How to Serve Air Fryer Steak Fajitas Recipe

Garnishes
I love topping these fajitas with a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro, a few lime wedges on the side, and a little crumbled queso fresco or shredded cheese for creaminess. Avocado slices or guacamole are a must-have for me—something about that buttery texture married with smoky steak is just magic. Don’t forget some sour cream or a drizzle of Mexican crema if you want to get a bit fancy.
Side Dishes
Some warm corn or flour tortillas are essential, but I often add a side of Mexican rice or a bright, citrusy salad with jicama and radishes. Black beans or refried beans also work beautifully to round out the meal. When I want to keep it light, a simple avocado and tomato salad tossed with lime vinaigrette is my go-to.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to serve these fajitas family-style on a big platter layered with colorful peppers and onions, garnished with fresh herbs and lime wedges. Sometimes I make fajita bowls with cilantro-lime rice, black beans, and all the toppings laid out buffet style—it’s fun and interactive for guests. You can also turn it into a fajita taco bar for casual gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover fajitas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keeping them in the fridge separately from the tortillas helps prevent sogginess. When I’ve done this, the steak stays juicy and the peppers still have a nice texture.
Freezing
If you want to freeze leftovers, I recommend packing the steak and veggies in freezer-safe bags in portion sizes. When thawed, they reheat nicely in a skillet or air fryer for a quick meal, but keep in mind the veggies may lose a bit of their crispness.
Reheating
Reheating in the air fryer for a few minutes brings back crispness to the veggies and warms the steak perfectly—much better than microwaving, which can make things rubbery. If you don’t have time, a quick stir-fry in a hot pan also works great.
FAQs
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Can I use other cuts of steak for this Air Fryer Steak Fajitas Recipe?
Absolutely! While skirt steak is traditional and tender when sliced thin, flank or sirloin steak can be excellent substitutes. Just be sure to slice against the grain to keep the meat tender and adjust cooking time slightly if your strips are thicker.
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How do I adjust the spice level if I prefer it milder?
Simply reduce or omit the cayenne pepper and adjust chili powder to taste. The spice blend is flexible, so you can always add a pinch more after cooking if you’d like a little extra heat.
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Can I prepare this recipe without an air fryer?
Yes! You can cook the steak and veggies in a hot skillet or under the broiler for similar results. Just keep an eye to avoid overcooking, and toss the ingredients frequently to get that even char and tenderness.
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Is this Air Fryer Steak Fajitas Recipe Keto friendly?
Definitely! Just skip the sugar in the spice mix and serve the fajita meat and veggies over greens or with low-carb tortillas to keep it keto-compliant.
Final Thoughts
This Air Fryer Steak Fajitas Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites because it delivers that perfect balance of juicy steak, tender-crisp veggies, and smoky, spicy flavor—all in a flash. It’s the kind of meal I recommend to friends when they want a homemade dinner that feels both classic and fresh, without hours in the kitchen. Give it a try—you’ll be hooked on the ease and taste, just like I am!
Print
Air Fryer Steak Fajitas Recipe
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Description
This Air Fryer Fajitas recipe offers a quick and flavorful way to enjoy tender skirt steak and sautéed bell peppers and onions, all cooked to perfection in an air fryer for a healthier twist on a classic Tex-Mex favorite.
Ingredients
Protein
- 1 pound skirt steak
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 red onion
Seasoning & Oil
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
Instructions
- Prepare Steak: Slice the skirt steak into thin strips by cutting against the grain to ensure tenderness, then place the strips in a large mixing bowl.
- Slice Vegetables: Cut the red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and red onion into thin strips and add them to the bowl with the steak.
- Add Oil: Drizzle 1 tablespoon of oil evenly over the steak and vegetable mixture to help with cooking and flavor.
- Mix Seasonings: In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, sugar, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne, stirring well to create the spice blend.
- Season the Mix: Sprinkle the spice blend over the steak and vegetables, then toss thoroughly to coat all pieces evenly with the seasoning.
- Air Fry: Place the seasoned steak and vegetables in an oiled air fryer basket. Cook at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 minutes, shaking the basket gently every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Serve: Once cooked, serve hot with warm tortillas and your favorite fajita toppings such as sour cream, guacamole, or salsa.
Notes
- Flank steak or sirloin steak can be substituted for skirt steak if preferred.
- To make this recipe keto friendly, omit the sugar or replace it with a keto-approved sweetener and serve over a fresh salad instead of tortillas.
- Shaking the air fryer basket during cooking helps the fajitas cook evenly and develop a nice char.
- You can add fresh lime juice or chopped cilantro as a garnish for additional flavor.

