Air-Fryer Indonesian Satay Beef Skewer Trays

AF-200 Crew Recipe

Air-Fryer Indonesian Satay Beef Skewer Trays

The Grand Tour leaves Vietnam behind and drops into Indonesia, where Jakarta hums from dawn until long after midnight. Scooters weave through packed streets.

Air-Fryer Indonesian Satay Beef Skewer Trays

The Grand Tour Story

The Grand Tour leaves Vietnam behind and drops into Indonesia, where Jakarta hums from dawn until long after

midnight. Scooters weave through packed streets, smoke curls from roadside warungs, and every few yards

somebody is grilling satay over glowing coconut charcoal while fans keep the flames dancing.

The smell hits first.

Peanuts.

Garlic.

Sweet soy.

Charcoal.

Lemongrass.

It follows you through the market until you eventually give up pretending you weren't hungry in the first place.

Our guide, Arif, smiles as he turns another row of sizzling skewers.

"People think satay is the sauce."

He shakes his head.

"It's the fire."

After one skewer, we stopped arguing.

Air-Fryer Indonesian Satay Beef Skewer Trays preparation stage

You’ll Need


For the Beef
700g sirloin or rump steak, cut into bite-sized cubes
2 tbsp vegetable oil, 3 cloves garlic, finely grated, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
1 tbsp light soy sauce, 1 tbsp kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), 1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp sea salt, ½ tsp cracked black pepper
Juice of ½ lime

Peanut Satay Sauce

4 tbsp smooth peanut butter, 2 tbsp coconut milk, 1 tbsp kecap manis, 1 tbsp light soy sauce
1 garlic clove, finely grated, 1 tsp grated ginger, 1 tsp brown sugar, Juice of ½ lime

To Finish
Fresh coriander, chopped
Lime wedges

Optional but dangerous
Steamed jasmine rice
Crispy shallots
Fresh cucumber
Cold Indonesian lager

Method

Preheat your air fryer to 200°C.

In a large bowl, combine the vegetable oil, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, kecap manis, coriander, cumin, smoked paprika,

sea salt, black pepper and lime juice.

Add the beef and coat thoroughly. Marinate for 30–60 minutes if possible.

Thread the beef onto metal or soaked wooden skewers, leaving small gaps between each piece.

Arrange the skewers in the air fryer basket in a single layer.

Air fry for 8–10 minutes, turning halfway through, until the beef is beautifully caramelised with lightly charred edges.

Meanwhile, whisk together the peanut butter, coconut milk, kecap manis, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, brown sugar and

lime juice until smooth. Warm gently for 2–3 minutes in the air fryer or microwave if needed.

Serve the hot skewers over rice or alongside cucumber.

Spoon the warm peanut sauce generously over the skewers or serve alongside for dipping.

Finish with chopped coriander, crispy shallots and fresh lime wedges.

Lad Tip: Arif says satay should always smell of charcoal before you taste the peanut sauce. The sauce is there to complement the beef—not bury it. Let the skewers pick up a little colour, keep the middle juicy, and you'll understand why Indonesia has been grilling satay this way for generations.

Get the free weekly recipe + weekend challenge.

Free weekly recipe. Weekend challenge. No nonsense.

By joining, you agree to receive AF-200 Crew emails, including occasional offers or affiliate recommendations. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy policy.