Air Fryer Korean Bulgogi Beef

Name: Air Fryer Korean Bulgogi Beef
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients: 1.5 lb (680 g) ribeye or sirloin, sliced very thin; 1/4 cup (60 ml) soy sauce; 2 tbsp brown sugar; 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil; 1/2 Asian pear or apple, grated; 3 garlic cloves, grated; 2 scallions, sliced; 1/2 tsp black pepper; Toasted sesame seeds, rice and lettuce, to serve

Bulgogi is usually a hot pan. Thin slices still work in the air fryer if you keep them in a single layer and pull as soon as the edges caramelize. Serve with rice, lettuce wraps and kimchi.

35 min total
400°F / 204°C
4 servings
25 min prep

Jump to recipe See steps

Pear tenderizes

Grated pear (or apple) softens the beef and adds gentle sweetness. Do not skip it if you want that classic soft bite.

Air Fryer Korean Bulgogi Beef

Prep 25 min · Cook 10 min · Total 35 min · 4 servings

Air Fryer400°F / 204°C

Basket time10 min

Flip / shakeat 5 min

Tested onCosori 5.8 qt, 1700W

Crowding. Batches matter. A pile of beef steams gray.

Step-by-step instructions

Follow each step in order. Photos show what to look for so the basket finish matches the plate.

Marinate

Marinate thin beef
Toss beef with soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, grated pear, garlic, scallions and pepper. Marinate 20-30 minutes.
Grated pear tenderizes and sweetens. Drain excess before the basket so marinade does not pool and smoke.
Thin-sliced beef in bulgogi marinade

Air fry

Spread in one layer
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Spread beef in a single layer (work in batches).
Bulgogi steams gray when piled. Work in batches for sticky caramelized edges.
Bulgogi beef in a single layer in the air fryer
Cook briefly
Cook 8-10 minutes, shaking halfway, until edges are browned and sticky. Do not overcook thin slices.
Thin slices finish fast. Pull when edges are browned and sticky. Overcooking turns them tough.
Serve for wraps
Finish with sesame seeds. Serve with rice and lettuce wraps.
Sesame, rice and lettuce wraps turn this into a hands-on dinner.
Finished Korean bulgogi beef