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A rustic wooden board displays five savory Thai Basil Beef Rolls, filled with tender beef, crisp lettuce, and fresh green herbs.
Daniel

Thai Basil Beef Rolls (Air Fryer)

Tender slices of marinated beef rolled with aromatic Thai basil, garlic, and a hint of chili, then air-fried to crispy perfection. These savory rolls make a delightful appetizer or a unique main course.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Thai
Calories: 280
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Beef & Marinade
  • 1 lb Flank Steak thinly sliced against the grain into 1/4-inch thick, 2-3 inch wide strips
  • 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Oyster Sauce
  • 1 tsp Fish Sauce
  • 1 tsp Brown Sugar
  • 1/2 tsp White Pepper
  • 1 tsp Cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp Sesame Oil
For the Filling
  • 1 cup Thai Basil Leaves packed
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 small Red Chili deseeded and finely sliced (optional)
  • 1/4 cup Red Bell Pepper julienned thinly (approx. 2-3 inches long)
For the Dipping Sauce (optional)
  • 2 tbsp Sweet Chili Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Lime Juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 tsp Fish Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Water
  • Pinch Red Pepper Flakes (optional)

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Tongs
  • Toothpicks (optional)

Method
 

Prepare the Beef
  1. Pat the thinly sliced flank steak dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, white pepper, cornstarch, and sesame oil. Add the beef slices and toss to coat thoroughly. Marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
Prepare the Filling
  1. While the beef marinates, prepare the filling. Wash and dry the Thai basil leaves. Mince the garlic and finely slice the red chili (if using). Julienne the red bell pepper into thin strips.
Assemble the Rolls
  1. Lay a marinated beef strip flat on a clean surface. Place 3-4 Thai basil leaves, a pinch of minced garlic, a few red chili slices, and 1-2 strips of red bell pepper near one end of the beef slice.
  2. Carefully roll the beef strip tightly from the filling end to the other, enclosing the filling. If desired, secure with a toothpick. Repeat with the remaining beef and filling ingredients.
Air Fry the Rolls
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
  2. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Place the beef rolls in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. You may need to cook in batches.
  3. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the beef is cooked through and slightly browned. The exact time may vary based on your air fryer and the thickness of the rolls.
Prepare Dipping Sauce & Serve
  1. While the rolls are cooking, if making the optional dipping sauce, whisk together sweet chili sauce, lime juice, fish sauce, water, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl.
  2. Remove the cooked Thai Basil Beef Rolls from the air fryer. If toothpicks were used, remove them before serving.
  3. Serve immediately with the optional dipping sauce.

Notes

For best results, slice the beef as thinly as possible. Partially freezing the flank steak for 20-30 minutes before slicing can make it much easier to get super thin cuts.
Feel free to adjust the amount of chili to your preferred spice level.
These rolls are best enjoyed fresh but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated gently in the air fryer.