Air Fryer Meat Cooking: Is It Possible?

Air fryers have become increasingly popular, but can they be used to cook meat? The short answer is yes, you can cook meat in an air fryer. Various types of meat can be cooked in an air fryer, including chicken, steak, pork, fish, and bacon. Air fryers are miniature convection ovens that can cook almost anything you would cook in a regular oven. They work by circulating hot air rapidly with an internal fan, simulating deep frying without the oil.

Recommended cooking times and temperatures for meat in an air fryer

Cooking meat in an air fryer is perfectly safe, as long as you follow proper food handling procedures. It is recommended that you fully defrost raw meat before cooking it in an air fryer. This allows for more even cooking and a better final product.

There are a few things to keep in mind when cooking meat in an air fryer. Firstly, air fryers like drier cooks, so wet marinades can work well and add flavour, but you wouldn't want to cook pasta in an air fryer. Secondly, most proteins will need to be flipped halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking. The exception to this is delicate meats like fish fillets, which can fall apart if flipped during cooking. Thirdly, adding a light coating of oil to your meat before cooking can help to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior.

Steak

For a medium-rare steak, it is recommended to cook to an internal temperature of 125°F-130°F. Most steaks will need to be flipped once halfway through cooking.

Chicken

Chicken requires a slightly higher internal temperature than steak, at 165°F. Chicken thighs and wings can be cooked at 200°C/400°F for around 20 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and the meat is juicy. For a whole chicken, you can cook at 190ºC/375ºF for 45-50 minutes.

Pork

Pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F. For pork belly, you can cook at 220ºC/425ºF for 30 minutes.

Fish

For whole fish, such as seabass, cook at 180ºC/350ºF for 12-15 minutes. For salmon fillets, it is recommended to cook for under 30 minutes.

It is important to note that air fryer brands can vary, so it is recommended to monitor the internal temperature of your meat with a high-quality meat thermometer to ensure it is cooked to your desired level of doneness.

How to avoid meat sticking to the air fryer

Yes, you can cook meat in an air fryer. It is safe to cook raw meat in the air fryer if it is fully defrosted, seasoned, and monitored.

To avoid meat sticking to the air fryer, you can try the following:

• Preheat the air fryer: Most brands specify that the air fryer must be preheated to ensure even cooking. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat mode, set it to the desired temperature and let it run for about three minutes before placing your food.
• Use oil: Lightly brush a small amount of oil on the meat or spray the basket with vegetable oil spray. This will also help the seasoning adhere to the meat. However, note that spray oil is known to cause chips in many air fryer baskets.
• Use foil: Cooking the food on top of a sheet of aluminum foil can prevent sticking and make removing the food easier.
• Don't overfill the basket: The greater the accumulation of food, the more likely it will stick in the air fryer.
• Shake the basket: When frying small foods, such as chicken wings or chips, shake the basket every few minutes to ensure even cooking.

How to defrost meat before cooking in an air fryer

It is safe to cook raw meat in an air fryer, but it is recommended that the meat be fully defrosted first. This allows for more even cooking and a tastier final product.

Defrosting Meat Before Cooking in an Air Fryer

Firstly, if your meat is in large cuts, consider pre-cutting it into smaller portions. This speeds up the defrosting process and allows for more even cooking. If you are planning to season your meat before cooking, you can also apply your chosen spices or marinades before placing the meat in the air fryer.

If your air fryer has a defrost setting, use this. This setting is designed to optimise the defrosting process. Place your frozen meat in the air fryer basket in a single layer, so that the warm air can circulate around each piece evenly. For larger items or thicker cuts of meat, consider flipping them halfway through the defrosting process. This ensures that both sides of the meat receive equal exposure to the warm air.

You can also defrost meat in the refrigerator overnight, or use the quick-thaw method. For the latter, place the meat in a bowl of cold water, still in its packaging or a sealed plastic bag, for 30 minutes or until defrosted.

To enhance the defrosting process, you can lightly mist your meat with cooking oil or spray. This helps to prevent sticking and can add crispiness to your food.

Finally, always ensure you clean and sanitise surfaces, utensils, and the air fryer basket after defrosting meat to prevent cross-contamination.

The best cuts of meat for an air fryer

Air fryers are a convenient, hands-free approach to preparing meals. They are miniature convection ovens that can cook almost anything you typically cook in an oven. They work by circulating hot air rapidly with an internal fan, simulating deep frying without the oil.

Steak

Steak is a popular choice for air frying. Some of the best cuts to use include:

• Filet mignon: This cut has a soft texture and mild flavour, allowing you to experiment with different rubs, marinades, butters, and sauces. It cooks quickly due to its small size and is best served rare to medium-rare.
• Ribeye: A popular and tasty cut, ribeye can be cooked quite quickly, making it ideal for the air fryer. It is best served rare to medium-well.
• Flank steak: This cut is extremely lean and tender. It is best served rare to medium-rare as it can get chewy if overcooked.
• Hanger steak: This affordable and tender cut is protected by the rib cage, making it exceptionally soft. It is best served rare.

Pork

Pork is a versatile meat that can be cooked in various forms in the air fryer, including:

• Pork belly: This cut of meat is soft and melt-in-your-mouth, with a crispy crackling on top when cooked right. The air fryer ensures even cooking and perfect crackling.
• Pork chops: A classic choice for air frying, resulting in juicy and flavoursome meat.
• Bacon: A favourite ingredient for many, bacon cooks evenly in the air fryer, resulting in crispy meat.

Poultry

Different cuts of poultry can be cooked in the air fryer, such as:

• Chicken breast: A popular choice for air frying, resulting in juicy and tender meat.
• Chicken thighs: These cook quickly in the air fryer, achieving a perfect crispy skin and juicy meat.
• Chicken wings: A quick and delicious option that results in crispy skin and juicy meat.
• Whole chicken: A medium-sized air fryer can fit a 1.6 kg whole chicken, but it is important to ensure even cooking by not overcrowding the basket.
• Turkey: Air frying a turkey crown or breast results in golden-brown and juicy meat.

Seafood

Seafood is a healthy option that can be cooked in an air fryer:

• Salmon fillets: A delicate option that can fall apart if flipped during cooking. It is best cooked without flipping to avoid breaking apart.
• Faroe Island Salmon Fillets: Like regular salmon fillets, these need to be handled carefully to avoid breaking apart during cooking.
• Whole seabass: A show-stopping option for a larger air fryer, resulting in a tasty and evenly cooked fish.
• Shrimp: A convenient choice for a quick, high-protein meal.

How to cook meat with bones in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook meat with bones. They are a convenient, hands-free approach to preparing meat and can be used to cook steak, chicken breast, pork chops, salmon, shrimp, bacon, and hot dogs in under 20 minutes.

When cooking meat with bones in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that the meat is fully defrosted, seasoned, and monitored. Bone-in meats, such as T-bone steak, can be particularly juicy and flavorful when cooked in an air fryer. Here are some tips for cooking meat with bones in an air fryer:

• Let the meat come to room temperature before cooking.
• Brush the meat with olive oil on both sides and season with salt and pepper as desired.
• Preheat the air fryer for about 5 minutes at 375°F (190°C) to 390°F (200°C).
• Place the meat in the air fryer and cook at 400°F (200°C) with full air circulation.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the meat regularly, starting at the 4-minute mark for thinner steaks and 8 minutes for thicker cuts like T-bone.
• Adjust the cooking time and temperature according to your specific air fryer model and desired level of doneness. For well-done meat, the internal temperature should reach at least 160°F (71°C), while medium-rare should be 145°F (63°C).
• Let the meat rest under a cover of aluminum foil for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

For beef neck bones, it is recommended to rinse them thoroughly under cold water before cooking to remove any loose debris or bone fragments. Look for pieces that are fresh, meaty, and have a generous amount of cartilage, as this adds flavor and texture to the dish. Beef neck bones can be cooked at a lower temperature for a longer period to achieve a tender and juicy texture.

Frequently asked questions