Air Fryer Beef Jerky

Air Fryer Beef Jerky is chewy, tender, and incredibly delicious. It’s prepared in just about 5 minutes, cooked in about 3 hours, and then left for about 1 hour to cool — so easy with the air fryer! Made with simple ingredients, this is the best beef jerky ever!

Air Fryer Beef Jerky

While you can go to the store and grab a bag of already-cooked beef jerky, it’s even better homemade! This is a traditional beef jerky recipe that is filled with the classic flavors you love. But the best part is that it can be made in your air fryer in a few hours. And it’s DELICIOUS!

Years ago, I used to dehydrate my beef jerky in a smoker, and my children really loved it. Plus, I loved making them homemade treats. But now you can dehydrate beef jerky right in your air fryer, and I am going to share my foolproof method.

This air fryer beef jerky is certainly a crowd-pleaser in my house — I also sometimes give it as a gift! No matter how you decide to enjoy yours, I know you’re going to love it just as much as we do.

If you are looking for some other Air Fryer Snacks, my family’s favorites are COPYCAT AIR FRYER CRACKER JACKS, KETO AIR FRYER PEPPERONI CHIPS, AIR FRYER PLANTAIN CHIPS, and AIR FRYER TORTILLA CHIPS!

Why You’ll Love Making Beef Jerky in Air Fryer

• Only 8 ingredients
• Great for an on-the-go snack
• Family-friendly
• Delicious
• Tender
• So flavorful

Watch How to Make My Beef Jerky Air Fryer Recipe

Ingredients Needed to Make Air Fryer Jerky

This easy recipe for beef jerky in air fryer comes together with a handful of easy ingredients. You probably have most of them at home already!

For complete ingredients and quantities, as well as the nutritional information, keep on scrolling until you get to the bottom with a printable recipe card.

• Lean Beef: Choose a lean cut of beef like top round or sirloin to minimize fat, which can cause the air fryer jerky to spoil faster. Trim any excess fat off the meat before slicing.
• Soy Sauce: Serves as the salty base of the marinade, adding deep umami flavors and a rich color to the jerky.
• Teriyaki Sauce: Provides a sweet and savory flavor base.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a hint of caramel-like sweetness to the beef jerky as it cooks.
• Seasonings: Black pepper, crushed red pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder are all you need for my beef jerky air fryer recipe!

How To Make Air Fryer Beef Jerky

Below you’ll find the step-by-step directions to make jerky in air fryer. You’ll soon see just how easy it is!

Step 1: Slice the meat

Start by slicing the steak into long, thin strips approximately 1/8 of an inch. Slice against the grain for the best results.

Step 2: Make the marinade

In a large bowl, mix the soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, and seasonings until well combined.

Step 3: Marinate beef

Add the sliced beef to the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for at least an hour for the best flavor.

Step 4: Air fry

Spray your air fryer basket with olive oil and place your beef into the basket, spreading the pieces out so they do not touch. Set the air fryer temperature to 180 degrees F for 2-3 hours. As a note, the chewier you want it, the more time it will need to air fry.

Pro Tips For Making Jerky in Air Fryer

• Choose the Right Cut of Meat: Use lean cuts of beef such as top round, sirloin, or flank steak. Ultimately, the less fat the better as it can dry out and cause the jerky to spoil faster.
• Slicing Tips: For easier slicing and more consistent pieces, consider freezing the beef for about 1-2 hours first. And, when slicing, make sure to go against the grain for a tender chew. Alternatively, slice with the grain if you want a more traditional, chewy texture!
• Pat the marinated beef dry with paper towels before adding it to the air fryer. You want to remove any excess marinade for the best texture.
• Low and Slow: Keep your air fryer temperature at around 160-180 degrees F. It’s better to dry out the meat slowly.
• Add the beef strips to the basket in a single layer with space in between them for the best air circulation. Overcrowding can lead to unevenly dried beef jerky in air fryer.
• Regularly check and flip the jerky strips every 30 minutes to ensure they dry evenly. Depending on the thickness of the slices, total drying time can vary from 2 to 4 hours.
• Test for Doneness: The jerky is done when it bends and cracks but does not break completely. It should feel firm and dry to the touch without any sogginess.
• Cool Before Storing: Allow the jerky to cool completely before storing to prevent condensation from forming, which could lead to spoilage.
• Store Properly: Store your air fryer beef jerky in airtight containers or freezer bags. To extend its shelf life, keep it in the refrigerator where it can last for several weeks.

Beef Jerky Air Fryer Recipe FAQs

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