Air Fryer Chilli Con Carne

Air Fryer Chilli is quick, easy and delicious. A lovely warming family dinner for those busy evenings when you don’t have time to simmer for hours.

Air fryer chilli con carne is perfect if you are in a hurry and don’t have time to simmer a chilli on the hob for a long time. 

Chilli in the air fryer cooks well and tastes great. If you are short on time, or for whatever reason, you don’t have access to a hob, this is a fantastic alternative. 

But simmering on the hob will always be my number one way to make chilli if I’m honest. 

Can You Make Chilli Con Carne in the Air Fryer?

Yes, you can make chilli con carne in the air fryer.

You just need to be careful that the top doesn’t dry out in the dry heat. 

I find that making sure there’s enough liquid and stirring regularly is the best way to do this. 

Why I Love Chilli Con Carne Made in the Air Fryer

I love this air fryer chilli recipe because:

• It’s quick and easy. 
• It’s perfect if you haven’t got a hob or large flameproof pan but have got an air fryer. 
• It tastes fantastic. 
• Chilli is a fantastic family comfort food, and we always love it. 
• You can use the same recipe to make burritos, one of my favourite dinners. 

Ingredients For Air Fryer Chill

When I make chilli in the air fryer, I use:

Olive Oil – I add oil to my onions to stop them from crisping too much. You can add a tablespoon of water if you prefer. 

Red Onion

Red Pepper

Garlic Puree – I use garlic and red chilli puree because I am lazy! But you can swap to crushed fresh garlic (two cloves) and a finely diced red chilli. 

Red Chilli Puree

Mince Beef – I tend to use 5% fat lean minced beef, but it’s not essential, if anything higher fat will cook better. 

Beef Stock – I make 400ml with one stock cube and add it in two batches to keep the top of the chilli nice and moist and stop it from crisping.

Red Wine – You can skip this and add a little more stock. 

Tinned Chopped Tomatoes

Henderson’s Relish – Skip if you aren’t from Sheffield. Don’t substitute for the other one. It doesn’t taste the same. 

Ground Cumin

Chilli Powder

Smoked Paprika

Cinnamon

Salt and Pepper

Tomato Puree

Kidney Beans

You’ll Also Need

I don’t recommend adding saucy dishes like chilli directly to your air fryer. The mess! The mess!

I use these silicone baskets. I love these particular ones (affiliate link) because they are big enough for a full meal and have long handles, which makes them easier to use. 

They also have a reasonably firm bottom, so they don’t fold as you lift them out, which would be messy!

You’ll also need an air fryer (while I’m sure a Ninja Foodi would be fab, mine’s a cheap Costco one!), a chopping board and sharp knife and something to stir your chilli. 

I also recommend using a meat thermometer (affiliate link) when cooking in an air fryer. I use this guide to safe temperatures.

How to Make Chilli Con Carne in the Air Fryer – Step-by-Step Instructions

Full, easy-to-follow instructions and quantities are available in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step One

Preheat your air fryer to 180 degrees C. 

Step Two

Add the red onion, red pepper, garlic and chilli to a silicone basket that fits in your fryer or another appropriate heatproof dish. 

Step Three

Drizzle with a tablespoon of oil and mix.

Step Four

Place in the preheated air fryer and cook for 5 minutes. 

Step Five

Stir well.

Step Six

Add the mince, taking your time to break it apart with a fork.

Stir well so the onions and peppers aren’t just on the bottom. 

Step Seven

Return to the air fryer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring halfway through. 

If the mince isn’t browned after five minutes, return to the air fryer, stirring every two minutes or so until it is. 

 Step Eight

Add the red wine, half of the stock, tomatoes, relish, cumin, chilli powder, paprika, cinnamon, salt and pepper, and tomato puree, and stir well. 

Step Nine

Return to the air fryer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring well after 5. 

Step Ten

Drain and add the kidney beans and the rest of the stock. Stir well.

Step Eleven

Return to the air fryer for 10 minutes, stirring after five.

Step Twelve

Check to make sure the chilli is piping hot and serve. 

If it’s still not piping hot, stir and air fry for five minutes. 

Top Tips

• Stir regularly so that the top doesn’t dry out. 
• Ensure there’s enough liquid, and add a cup of water if needed. 
• Make sure you really stir your kidney beans in so they don’t explode. 
• If they do explode, eat them anyway. 

Serving Suggestions

I serve my chilli with rice and sometimes a dollop of sour cream.

Personally, I think a simple white rice is the best rice for chilli con carne, but other options are fine, too. 

You can also serve with baked potatoes, on a bed of pasta, in wraps with rice as burritos, with tortilla chips and cheese or even with salad. 

There are many ways to serve chilli, all of which are wonderful!

Variations

The main variation is skipping the wine. It adds something to the flavour, but it isn’t essential.

Another variation is how you cook your air fryer chilli. I cook it all in the air fryer because I figure the point is not using the hob.

But I know some people still prefer to brown their onions and mince in a pan on the hob. 

Leftovers

Leftover chilli is perfect for burritos, baked potatoes, or loaded wedges. Or just reheat and serve with rice. 

You can reheat in a pan on the hob, microwave, or air fryer at 150 degrees for 10-15 minutes, depending on how much is left. 

Add a cup of water if necessary. 

Storage

Store leftover air fryer chilli in a clean, cool bowl or tub. Cover or seal with a lid, and place in the fridge for 1-2 days. 

Or seal in an airtight tub and freeze for up to two months, thawing in the fridge overnight before reheating. 

FAQ

Other Recipes 

Other chilli recipes and air fryer recipes you might like include:

• Air Fryer Halloumi
• Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
• Easy Air Fryer Wedges
• Chicken Pasta Bake in the Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Fish Finger Sandwiches
• Easy Air Fryer Burgers
• Baked Bean Chilli Con Carne
• Five Bean Chilli
• Leftover Roast Beef Chilli
• Air Fryer Cottage Pie
• Air Fryer Cake
• Parsnips

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