Air-Fryer Liver: Safe Or Not?

Liver can be cooked in an air fryer, and it is a popular way to prepare this organ meat. Air frying is a quick and mess-free way to cook liver, and it can be ready in under 20 minutes. It is also a healthier option than deep frying, as it requires less oil. The most common type of liver to cook in an air fryer is beef liver, but chicken, pork, and lamb liver can also be cooked this way. A classic air fryer liver recipe includes onions, and liver can be seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Beef liver and onions

To make beef liver and onions in an air fryer, you will need:

• Beef liver
• Onions
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Optional: smoked paprika, dry mustard, onion powder, lemon juice, milk, and cilantro.

Firstly, rinse the liver in cold water and slice into 1-2 inch pieces. You can soak the liver in milk to reduce the metallic taste of the meat, but this is not necessary. Slice the onions thinly and place in the air fryer basket. You can season the onions with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika, and dry mustard for extra flavor. Toss the onions in the basket and then top with the liver pieces. Season the liver with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and add a little oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Cook the liver and onions in the air fryer at 400°F for about 12 minutes, tossing the ingredients halfway through. The liver is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. You can check this with an instant-read thermometer.

Chicken liver

To prepare chicken livers in an air fryer, start by rinsing and patting them dry. Cut away any connective tissue and discoloured parts. If you see anything green, it could be bile, so trim it off. Rinse the livers under cold water and then pat them dry again. If the livers are too big, cut them in half so they crisp up nicely.

For seasoning, you can keep it simple with garlic powder, onion granules, salt, and black pepper, or experiment with your favourite spice blends. You can also soak the chicken livers in buttermilk or milk for at least 30 minutes or a few hours to help tenderise them. After soaking, pat the livers dry with a paper towel and then add the seasonings. Toss well to coat evenly.

Place the chicken livers in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding them. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Set the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) and cook for 6 minutes, then flip them over and spray with a little olive oil. Cook for another 6 minutes. The chicken livers are done when they are cooked through and no longer pink in the centre. If needed, you can cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.

Pork or lamb liver

Yes, you can cook pork or lamb liver in an air fryer. Lamb liver is a common ingredient in Mediterranean dishes, and is known for its rich, slightly gamey flavour. Pork liver, on the other hand, has a slightly sweet taste and is used in various regional cuisines.

To cook pork or lamb liver in an air fryer, start by rinsing the liver in cold water and slicing it into uniform pieces. You can then marinate the liver in a mixture of olive oil, minced garlic, and herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or sage. Leave the liver to marinate for at least 30 minutes, but for a deeper flavour, you can leave it overnight in the refrigerator.

Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) to ensure an even cooking temperature. Place the marinated liver pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't touch, so they cook evenly.

Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the liver slices. For large slices of liver, 10mm thick, cook for 5 minutes at 180°C. For smaller pieces, reduce the cooking time to 3 minutes. Pork or lamb liver cooks much faster than beef liver, so adjust the cooking time accordingly.

You can also cook pork or lamb liver with onions in the air fryer. Slice the onions and add them to the air fryer basket. Season the liver with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard, and smoked paprika. Place the liver on top of the onions and set the temperature to 370°F for 7 minutes. Remove the liver when it is fully cooked and set the air fryer for another 4 minutes to cook the onions.

How to season liver for the air fryer

Preparing liver for air frying is a simple process that ensures the liver is tender and flavourful. First, rinse the liver under cold water to remove any impurities. Then, gently pat it dry with paper towels. You can either slice the liver into smaller pieces or keep it whole, depending on your preference and the capacity of your air fryer.

Next, it's time to season the liver. You can use a mixture of olive oil, garlic, herbs, and spices, or your favourite marinade. For example, a combination of salt, pepper, and garlic powder is a popular choice for seasoning liver. You can also add onions to the mix, which pair well with liver. If you do add onions, slice them thinly and season them along with the liver. Allow the liver to marinate for at least 30 minutes to infuse the flavours, but even a short seasoning will improve the taste.

After marinating, place the liver in the air fryer basket in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding to ensure even cooking. For optimal results, set your air fryer to a temperature of 375°F (190°C) when cooking liver. However, if you are cooking the liver at a higher temperature of 400°F, reduce the cooking time to about 10-12 minutes. Check the liver halfway through the cooking time and give it a good mix to ensure even cooking.

Finally, use a meat thermometer to check if the liver has reached a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for beef liver or 165°F for chicken, pork, or lamb liver. Allow the liver to rest for a couple of minutes post-cooking to let the juices redistribute.

How long to cook liver in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook liver in an air fryer!

There are many ways to prepare beef liver, and one of the most popular methods is to air fry it. Air frying is a quick, mess-free, and easy way to cook liver with a deep-fried texture without the excess oil.

To cook liver in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While the air fryer is preheating, slice the liver into 1-2 inch pieces and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add onion powder, dry mustard, and smoked paprika. Then, place the liver in the air fryer basket and cook for 12 minutes, tossing the liver halfway through the cooking time. It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the liver pieces, so it is recommended to use a thermometer to ensure the liver is fully cooked. The liver is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you are cooking chicken liver, the cooking time will be shorter, around 7-10 minutes, as it will dry out if cooked for the same amount of time as beef liver.

Frequently asked questions