Want a hot, melty sandwich in under 30 minutes? This Air Fryer Philly Cheesesteaks recipe is fast, loaded with flavor, and perfect for when you're craving something hearty and cheesy—fast.
When it comes to comfort food, you really can’t beat a Philly cheesesteak. This homemade version is quick enough for busy nights, yet satisfying enough to feel like a treat. Juicy shaved steak, sweet onions, earthy mushrooms, and gooey provolone all come together in a toasted roll.
If you love this kind of easy weeknight win, try my Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese or Air Fryer Egg Bites With Bacon for more cozy bites!
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💖 Why This Recipe Works
- Loaded with Flavor: Tender beef, savory veggies, and melty cheese come together for the ultimate sandwich experience.
- Perfect Comfort Food: Hearty and satisfying, it’s a meal that hits the spot every time.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and quick prep, you can enjoy a restaurant-quality Philly Cheesesteak at home!
⭐ Star Ingredients
- Shaved Steak: Super tender and fast-cooking—perfect for an easy steak sandwich.
- Onion: Adds that soft, sweet, caramelized goodness to every bite.
- Baby Bella Mushrooms: Earthy flavor that amps up the umami.
- Provolone Cheese: Melts beautifully for that gooey finish.
- Mayonnaise: Adds a creamy touch that ties it all together.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Spice it up: Add jalapeños, hot sauce, or pepper jack cheese.
- Cheese swap: Try Cheez Whiz, American, or mozzarella if provolone’s not your thing.
- Herby twist: Stir in fresh thyme or rosemary for depth.
- Veggie version: Sub portobellos or jackfruit for a vegetarian Philly cheesesteak.
- Low-carb option: Ditch the bread and serve over lettuce or in a low-carb wrap.
These also pair well with Vegan BBQ Baked Beans or a side of Fun Veggie Train With Bell Peppers for the kids!
🔪 How To Make Air Fryer Philly Cheesesteaks
- Step 1: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and add onions. Sautee them on medium-low heat until they become soft and translucent. I chose to slice the onions, but you can dice them up as well!
- Step 2: Once the onions have sautéed, add in the mushrooms. Season both the onions and mushrooms with salt. This will help bring out their moisture and make them soft.
- Step 3: Once the mushrooms have softened and turned a darker color, add in the shaved steak along with 2-3 tablespoons of your favorite steak seasoning. (Supporting local butchers or using Texas-inspired seasoning works great!)
- Step 4: Cook the steak until it’s cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Toss the steak around in the onions and mushrooms for even flavor distribution.
- Step 5: Grab your hoagie buns and spread mayo on both sides of the bread. Add as much or as little as you like. (Jay likes light mayo, but I prefer mine with mayo on both sides of the bread.)
- Step 6: Place the cooked steak mixture on top of the bottom roll and add provolone cheese on top.
- Step 7: Place the sandwich in an air fryer at 350° (or the oven) to toast the bread and melt the cheese. In the air fryer, this takes about 1-2 minutes, or in the oven, expect about 5-8 minutes.
- Step 8: Serve with homemade French fries, chips, or if you're on a keto or low-carb diet, serve it over a bed of lettuce!
💡Hint: For the juiciest steak, sear it hot and fast, then toss with the onions and mushrooms right at the end.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Caramelize the onions: Let the onions cook on low heat a little longer for a rich, sweet flavor that adds depth to your sandwich.
- Use butter for the buns: Swap out mayo for butter on the hoagie buns before toasting for an extra crispy and golden finish.
- Sear the steak for flavor: Give the shaved steak a quick sear on high heat before adding it to the onions and mushrooms for a caramelized crust.
- Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce: A small splash adds a savory umami kick to the steak mixture for extra flavor punch!
💭 FAQs
Freeze the steak for 15-20 minutes before slicing to make thin cuts easier.
Lightly toast the bread before adding the filling—it makes a big difference!
Yes, use an oven set at 350°F to toast and melt the cheese.
Store leftover steak mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Yep! Let it cool, then freeze in a bag or airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat when ready.
💖 Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite side dishes to serve with philly cheesesteaks:
- Sweet Potato Fries: Crispy, golden, and made to dip in whatever’s left on your plate.
- Pickles: For that perfect tangy crunch.
- Smashed Potato Salad: Creamy and cool against the hot sandwich.
- Onion Rings: Double the onions, double the flavor.
- Tomato Soup or French Onion Soup: For cozy sandwich-dipping vibes.
🍽 Love Cheese? Try These Cheesy Recipes
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Air Fryer Philly Cheesesteaks
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 14 oz. Shaved Steak
- 1 Onion Sliced
- 8 oz. Baby Bella Mushrooms Sliced
- 8 Slices Provolone Cheese
- Mayonnaise
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and add onions. Sautee them on medium-low heat until they become soft and translucent. I chose to slice the onions, but you can dice them up as well!
- Once the onions have sautéed, add in the mushrooms. Season both the onions and mushrooms with salt. This will help bring out their moisture and make them soft.
- Once the mushrooms have softened and turned a darker color, add in the shaved steak along with 2-3 tablespoons of your favorite steak seasoning. (Supporting local butchers or using Texas-inspired seasoning works great!)
- Cook the steak until it’s cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Toss the steak around in the onions and mushrooms for even flavor distribution.
- Grab your hoagie buns and spread mayo on both sides of the bread. Add as much or as little as you like. (Jay likes light mayo, but I prefer mine with mayo on both sides of the bread.)
- Place the cooked steak mixture on top of the bottom roll and add provolone cheese on top.
- Place the sandwich in an air fryer at 350° (or the oven) to toast the bread and melt the cheese. In the air fryer, this takes about 1-2 minutes, or in the oven, expect about 5-8 minutes.
- Serve with homemade French fries, and chips, or if you're on a keto or low-carb diet, serve it over a bed of lettuce!
Just made these Philly cheesesteaks tonight—SO easy and seriously delicious! That steak + melted cheese combo is next-level. Totally adding this to our monthly dinner rotation!