Are you a beef jerky fan? Perhaps you enjoy snacking on it during a long road trip or while watching a movie at home. Did you know that you can make your own beef jerky in an air fryer?

Making beef jerky in an air fryer is an easy and healthy alternative to traditional jerky-making methods. The air fryer enables you to dry out the beef using hot air and achieve a similar result to a dehydrator or oven, but with less time and effort. Plus, it can be a fun activity for you to do at home and can save you money in the long run. Here is a simple guide on how to make beef jerky in an air fryer.

10 Steps to Make Beef Jerky in Air Fryer

If you love snacking, beef jerky is probably one of your favorites. This delicious, protein-rich snack is perfect for people who want to enjoy a satisfying treat without sacrificing their health goals. Beef jerky is easy to make, but most people don’t know that you can make it using an air fryer. So, if you’re keen to try making beef jerky in an air fryer, follow these 10 steps:

1. Choose your Beef Cut

The first step in making beef jerky in an air fryer is selecting the right beef cut. Sirloin, tenderloin, or flank steak are great choices. After choosing your meat, slice it against the grain into thin strips. This helps to tenderize the meat and give it a chewy texture.

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2. Marinate your Beef Strips

Marinating your beef strips is the secret to making great beef jerky in an air fryer. You can marinate them in your favorite sauce or seasoning. Teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, or Worcestershire sauce are good choices. Marinade the beef strips in the fridge for at least two hours to absorb the flavors.

3. Pat Dry the Beef Strips

After the marinating process, it’s time to pat dry your beef strips. Use paper towels to remove excess moisture and make sure each strip is dry. Drying the beef strips helps to create a crispy texture.

4. Preheat your Air Fryer

Now it’s time to preheat your air fryer. Set the temperature to 160-175°C (320-347°F) and let it preheat for a few minutes. Preheating will ensure that the air fryer is ready for cooking.

5. Arrange the Beef Strips

Once your air fryer is preheated, arrange your beef strips in a single layer inside the basket. Make sure there is enough space between each strip to allow air circulation.

6. Cook the Beef Strips for the First Time

Now it’s time to cook your beef strips for the first time. Set the cooking time for 10-15 minutes. This will help to remove any excess moisture from the beef strips and start the cooking process.

7. Flip and Cook for the Second Time

After the first cook, flip the beef strips to ensure that they are evenly cooked. Cook the beef strips for another 10-15 minutes. This will allow the beef to cook through and create a crispy texture.

8. Check the Beef Strips for Doneness

Now it’s time to check if the beef strips are cooked to your liking. If you prefer them chewy, they should have a soft texture. If you prefer them crispy, they should be fully dried out.

9. Let the Beef Strips Cool Down

After cooking, let your beef strips cool down for a few minutes. This will help to give them a chewy texture.

10. Enjoy your Homemade Beef Jerky

Once your beef jerky is cool, you can enjoy it! Store the beef jerky in an airtight container for longer shelf life. Congratulations, you’ve made delicious beef jerky in an air fryer!

In conclusion, making beef jerky in an air fryer is easy and less time-consuming compared to the traditional oven method. Follow these 10 steps and customize your beef jerky as per your taste by playing around with different marinades and flavorings. Happy snacking!

The Benefits of Making Beef Jerky in an Air Fryer

If you’re a fan of beef jerky, you may be surprised to know that you don’t need a dehydrator or a smoker to make it. In fact, you can make delicious beef jerky in an air fryer. This method is not only easy but also has many benefits.

1. Healthier Option: Making beef jerky in an air fryer is a healthier option than traditional methods, like using a dehydrator, that requires a lot of salt and sugar. In an air fryer, you can make beef jerky with minimal added salt and sugar, making it a healthy and guilt-free snack.

2. Saves Time: Beef jerky typically takes a long time to make using traditional methods. In an air fryer, however, you can have delicious beef jerky ready in just a few hours.

3. Easy Clean-up: Traditional methods of making beef jerky can be messy and difficult to clean up. With an air fryer, the only equipment you need to clean is the air fryer basket.

4. Flavorful: The air fryer produces beef jerky that is flavorful and has a crispy texture. The hot air circulation in the air fryer allows the marinade to infuse into the meat, giving it an intense flavor.

5. Preservative-free: The beef jerky made in the air fryer is preservative-free. Unlike store-bought beef jerky, which often contains chemicals and preservatives, homemade beef jerky is a healthier and more natural snack.

6. Cost-effective: Making beef jerky in an air fryer is an inexpensive way to enjoy this delicious snack. You can buy a cheap cut of meat and make a lot of tasty beef jerky for a fraction of the cost of store-bought options.

7. Customizable: Making beef jerky in an air fryer allows you to customize your flavors. You can experiment with different marinades, spices, and seasonings to create your own unique flavor combinations.

8. Convenient: You can make beef jerky in an air fryer any time you want, for any occasion. It’s a convenient snack that you can take with you anywhere you go.

9. No Special Skills Required: Making beef jerky in an air fryer is easy and doesn’t require any special skills or equipment. Anyone can do it!

10. A Great Gift Idea: Homemade beef jerky is a great gift idea for friends and family. You can make a big batch of it and package it in small bags or jars to give as gifts during the holidays or for other special occasions. It’s a tasty and thoughtful gift that anyone will appreciate.

Choosing the Right Cut of Beef

Making delicious beef jerky in an air fryer requires starting with the right cut of meat. Choosing the right cut of beef determines the texture, taste, and overall quality of your jerky. Here are some beef cuts that work perfectly for making jerky:

Beef Cut Best Use
Top Round This is the most popular cut for making beef jerky. It’s lean, fairly tender, and has less fat. It makes great jerky.
Eye of Round This is the second most popular cut for making beef jerky. It’s lean, pretty tough, and has less fat. Tenderize it before making jerky.
Flank Steak This cut is often used for making steak, but it’s not the best option for jerky. It has more fat, and it requires more preparation to make jerky.
Sirloin This cut is also not the best option for making jerky. It’s more tender, but it’s marbled with fat, making it harder to dry evenly, and it may spoil faster due to the high fat content.

It’s recommended to get the meat from a butcher to ensure that it’s fresh, clean, and free from any contamination. Also, ask the butcher to slice the meat thinly and evenly, about ⅛ to ¼ inch thick, for even cooking and drying in the air fryer.

Marinating the Beef

Marinating the beef is an essential step to add flavor, tenderness, and moisture to the jerky. Here is a basic marinade recipe:

Ingredient Measurement
Soy Sauce ½ cup
Worcestershire sauce ½ cup
Honey 2 tbsp
Garlic Powder 1 tsp
Onion Powder 1 tsp
Black Pepper 1 tsp

Whisk all the ingredients in a bowl and transfer them to a ziplock bag or a vacuum-sealed bag. Add the sliced beef to the bag and seal it tightly. Rub the marinade over the beef to ensure that it’s evenly coated. Let the beef marinate in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours or up to 24 hours for the best results.

Preheating the Air Fryer

Preheating the air fryer is crucial to ensure even and consistent cooking and drying of the beef. Here are the steps to preheat the air fryer:

  1. Plug in the air fryer and set the temperature to 160°F – 180°F
  2. Let the air fryer preheat for 5 – 10 minutes until it reaches the desired temperature
  3. Meanwhile, take the beef out of the marinade and let it rest on the kitchen counter to come to room temperature. Pat it dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.

Cooking the Jerky in the Air Fryer

Here are the steps to cook the beef jerky in the air fryer:

  1. Arrange the beef slices in a single layer on the air fryer basket or tray, leaving some space between them to allow air circulation.
  2. Set the temperature to 160°F – 180°F, and the timer to 4 hours.
  3. Cook the beef jerky for 1 – 2 hours, then flip the slices over and continue cooking for another 1 – 2 hours until they are dry, crispy, and golden brown.
  4. Check the beef jerky from time to time and remove any pieces that are already crispy, to prevent overcooking and burning.
  5. Once the beef jerky is done, turn off the air fryer and let it cool for 10 minutes before removing the jerky.
  6. Store the beef jerky in airtight containers or ziplock bags in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Making beef jerky in an air fryer is an easy and healthy alternative to traditional oven or dehydrator recipes. With the right cuts of beef and the right marinade, you can create delicious and flavorful beef jerky that is tender, crispy, and easy to store and enjoy.

Happy Snacking!

Now that you know how to make delicious beef jerky in your air fryer, it’s time to get cooking! We hope you found these tips helpful and easy to follow. Remember to prepare your meat in advance, marinate it with your favorite spices, and let your air fryer work its magic. Thanks for reading, and we hope to see you back here soon for more foodie adventures!