Air Fryer Philly Cheese Steaks
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I first tried this Air Fryer Philly Cheese Steaks on a busy weeknight when I wanted something that tasted like a deli sandwich but came together in under 30 minutes. It leans on frozen shortcuts — Steak-Eze (or Steak Umms) and Garlic Texas Toast — but the sautéed peppers, onions, and gooey provolone make it feel indulgent and homemade. If you like quick air-fryer sandwiches, you might also enjoy these Air Fryer Cheeseburger Wraps for another speedy dinner idea.
Why you’ll love this dish
This recipe hits the sweet spot between convenience and flavor. Using frozen steaks and garlic Texas toast cuts prep and cleanup, but the sautéed peppers and onions add real freshness. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners, movie nights, or feeding hungry teenagers.
“Fast, cheesy, and exactly what I wanted craved after work — restaurant vibes without leaving the house.”
Reasons this works:
- Fast: About 20–25 minutes from start to finish.
- Budget-friendly: Uses inexpensive frozen steaks and store-bought toast.
- Crowd-pleasing: Melty provolone and classic Philly flavors are familiar and loved.
- Minimal cleanup: One skillet and the air fryer basket.
How this recipe comes together
Step-by-step overview so you know what to expect:
- Slice the veggies and sauté them in butter until soft and slightly caramelized.
- Cook the frozen beef steaks in a hot skillet and break them into bite-size pieces.
- Combine steak and veggies, season, and set aside.
- Toast garlic Texas toast in the air fryer until crisp.
- Layer provolone, pile on the steak mixture, top with more provolone and another toast slice.
- Finish in the air fryer briefly to melt cheese and marry flavors.
What you’ll need
- 4 pieces Garlic Texas Toast (frozen)
- 2 Frozen Beef Steaks (Steak Eze or Steak Umms)
- ½ Green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- ½ Yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ tsp seasoning salt
- 4 slices provolone cheese
Notes and substitutions:
- Prefer rolls? Use hoagie rolls instead of Texas toast — adjust air-fryer time.
- No provolone? American, mozzarella, or provolone + a sharp cheese like cheddar work.
- Want a breakfast spin? Try swapping the provolone for a fried egg like in this Air Fryer Egg and Cheese Toast variant for morning sandwiches.
Step-by-step instructions
- Slice the bell pepper and onion into thin strips. Set aside.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the sliced peppers and onions. Sauté until softened and just starting to brown, 6–8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- In the same skillet or a clean one, cook the frozen steaks according to package directions (about 2 minutes per side). Use a spatula to break the meat into pieces as it cooks.
- Return the cooked peppers and onions to the pan with the steak. Sprinkle in ½ teaspoon of seasoning salt. Stir to combine and heat for another minute. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Place the 4 pieces of frozen garlic Texas toast in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F for 3 minutes. Flip each slice and cook 3 more minutes, until golden and crisp.
- Assemble two open-faced sandwiches: place a slice of provolone on two pieces of toasted garlic bread. Pile the steak, pepper, and onion mixture on top with tongs. Add the second slice of provolone to each sandwich. Top each with the remaining toast slices.
- Return the assembled sandwiches to the air fryer. Cook at 350°F for 3 minutes, just long enough to melt the cheese and warm through. Serve immediately.
How to plate and pair
Best ways to enjoy it:
- Cut sandwiches in half diagonally and serve on a platter for sharing.
- Pair with classic sides: air-fried shoestring fries, coleslaw, or a simple green salad with vinaigrette to cut the richness.
- Sauces: offer ketchup, hot sauce, or garlic aioli for dipping.
- Drinks: a crisp lager or iced tea balances the sandwich’s richness; for kids, serve with pickles and fruit slices.
Storage and reheating tips
Keeping leftovers fresh:
- Refrigerator: Store the steak mixture in an airtight container up to 3–4 days. Store toasted bread separately to avoid sogginess.
- Freezing: Freeze the cooked steak mixture in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Avoid freezing fully assembled sandwiches — the toast will get soggy.
Reheating: - Air fryer: Reheat steak mixture at 350°F for 3–5 minutes. Re-toast bread for 2–3 minutes at 400°F, then assemble.
- Oven: Reheat steak and onions at 325°F until warm; toast bread under the broiler briefly to crisp.
Food safety: Cooked beef leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours and reheated to 165°F before eating.
Pro chef tips
- Cut veggies uniformly so they cook evenly. Thin strips are ideal.
- Use medium heat for the sauté so onions sweeten without burning.
- Break the frozen steak apart as it cooks to avoid large clumps. A wooden spoon or spatula works best.
- Place one slice of cheese on the bottom toast and another on top of the filling — this creates a melty cheese “glue” that holds the sandwich together.
- If toppings make the bread soggy, toast longer at 400°F for extra crispness before assembling.
- For a flavor boost, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of garlic powder to the steak mixture.
- For more sandwich ideas and playful air-fryer combos, try this Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Hot Dogs for inspiration.
Creative twists
- Mushroom & Swiss: Sauté mushrooms with the peppers and swap provolone for Swiss.
- Spicy Philly: Stir in sliced jalapeños and pepper jack cheese.
- Chicken Philly: Use thinly sliced cooked chicken breast instead of frozen steak.
- Vegetarian: Use thinly sliced portobello mushrooms or marinated seitan for a meaty texture.
- Hoagie-style: Use soft hoagie rolls and finish under the broiler for a crisp top.
Your questions answered
Q: Do I need to thaw the frozen steaks before cooking?
A: No — these thin frozen steaks are designed to cook from frozen. Follow the package timing (about 2 minutes per side) and break them up while cooking.
Q: Can I assemble and reheat the sandwiches later?
A: You can assemble cold, but the toast may become soggy. For best texture, store components separately and assemble just before serving. Reheat the steak mixture and toast briefly in the air fryer.
Q: What’s the total time to make this recipe?
A: Active hands-on time is about 15–20 minutes. From start to finish expect roughly 20–25 minutes depending on your air fryer and stovetop.
Q: Any vegan option?
A: Swap frozen steaks for a seitan or thick sliced mushroom alternative and use vegan provolone or vegan mozzarella.
Conclusion
If you want more air-fryer takes on Philly-style sandwiches, this Air Fryer Philly Cheesesteaks – Sweet Tea and Sprinkles article explores a similar idea with slightly different technique. For a fun handheld twist, check out this Philly Cheese Steak Crunch Wrap – AirFried.com recipe that folds the filling into a wrap. And if you’re curious about stuffing the flavors into vegetables, this Air Fryer Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers – Nourished by Nic shows a tasty low-carb option.
Air Fryer Philly Cheese Steaks
Ingredients
Method
- Slice the bell pepper and onion into thin strips. Set aside.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the sliced peppers and onions. Sauté until softened and just starting to brown, about 6–8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- In the same skillet or a clean one, cook the frozen steaks according to package directions (about 2 minutes per side), breaking the meat into pieces as it cooks.
- Return the cooked peppers and onions to the pan with the steak, sprinkle in the seasoning salt, stir to combine, and heat for another minute. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Place the 4 pieces of frozen garlic Texas toast in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F for 3 minutes. Flip each slice and cook 3 more minutes until golden and crisp.
- Assemble two open-faced sandwiches by placing a slice of provolone on two pieces of toasted garlic bread. Pile the steak, pepper, and onion mixture on top with tongs, add the second slice of provolone to each sandwich, and top each with the remaining toast slices.
- Return the assembled sandwiches to the air fryer. Cook at 350°F for 3 minutes, just long enough to melt the cheese and warm through. Serve immediately.
