Air-Frying Venison: A Quick, Tasty Guide

Venison is a versatile meat that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including in an air fryer. Air fryers are a quick and easy way to cook venison, with the option to cook a whole roast or steak bites. The air fryer cooks the meat quickly, so it's important to keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.

Maring venison steak bites

To make venison steak bites in an air fryer, start by trimming the meat from any silver skin and cutting it into bite-sized pieces. Mix together your choice of marinade ingredients and add the meat. Marinate in the refrigerator for up to an hour.

Remove the steak pieces from the marinade and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes, or until the steak bites are cooked to your desired level of doneness.

The air fryer cooks this recipe quickly, so there is no chance of a tough bite. The meat should be juicy and tender. You can store leftover steak bites in the refrigerator for up to three days and reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for five minutes.

Air fryer temperature and cooking time

The cooking time and temperature for venison in an air fryer will depend on the cut of meat and your desired level of doneness.

For a venison roast, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the venison in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes. Then, reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and cook for another 20-30 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of doneness. For a medium-rare roast, aim for a core temperature of 135°F (57°C) when checked with a meat thermometer. The meat should still be fairly pink in the middle and will taste juicy and tender.

For venison steak bites, cook at 400°F for 10 minutes, or until the steak bites are cooked to your liking.

If you are cooking a boned and rolled venison roast, roast for 12 minutes per pound or 15 minutes per 500g at 350°F (175°C). Remove the venison from the air fryer as soon as it is cooked to avoid drying out the meat.

Using tongs to transfer venison

When cooking venison in an air fryer, it's important to use tongs to transfer the meat safely and efficiently. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Before you begin, ensure your venison is prepared according to your recipe. This may involve marinating the meat or trimming and cutting it into bite-sized pieces.

Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, typically around 400°F (200°C). Using tongs, carefully transfer the venison into the air fryer basket. Take care not to overcrowd the basket, as this can affect cooking times and results.

Depending on your recipe, you may need to flip the venison halfway through cooking. Again, use tongs to safely turn the meat over. For a roast, you may cook it for 10 minutes at 400°F, then reduce the temperature to 350°F and cook for an additional 20-30 minutes. For steak bites, cook at 400°F for 10 minutes or until they reach your desired level of doneness.

Once your venison is cooked to your preference, use tongs to transfer it to a plate. It's important to remove the meat from the air fryer promptly to avoid overcooking or drying out. Cover the venison loosely with foil and let it rest for 20-30 minutes before slicing and serving.

Remember to always handle hot air fryer baskets with caution and use oven mitts or heat-resistant gloves as needed. Enjoy your delicious air-fried venison!

Preparing gravy and side dishes

While the venison is resting, prepare the gravy and side dishes. You can make a gravy by using the juices from the cooked venison. For a thicker gravy, add a cornflour slurry. For side dishes, roasted vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, and potatoes go well with venison. You could also serve the venison with a green salad, roasted mushrooms, or a wild rice pilaf.

To make roasted vegetables, cut the carrots, parsnips, and potatoes into evenly sized pieces. Toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper, and then spread them out on a baking sheet. Roast them in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until they are tender and golden brown.

To make a green salad, combine mixed greens, sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and avocado in a bowl. Add a simple vinaigrette dressing made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together and serve.

For roasted mushrooms, clean and slice the mushrooms and toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them out on a baking sheet and roast them in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until they are tender and golden brown.

To make a wild rice pilaf, cook the wild rice according to the package instructions. In a separate pan, sauté onions, garlic, and bell peppers until tender. Add the cooked rice to the pan and stir everything together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Reheating venison steak bites

To reheat venison steak bites in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the steak bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer and reheat for 5 minutes.

When cooking venison steak bites in an air fryer, it is recommended to cook the meat at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes or until the steak bites are at the desired level of doneness. It is important to note that venison can cook quickly in an air fryer, so it is suggested to start checking the temperature after 30 minutes of cooking. The ideal temperature for medium-rare venison is 135°F (57°C) core temperature, with the meat still pink in the middle and juicy and tender in texture.

To prepare the steak bites for cooking, trim the meat from any silver skin and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Mix together a marinade, add the meat, and marinate it in the refrigerator for up to 1 hour. Remove the steak pieces from the marinade and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Discard the remaining marinade.

Leftover steak bites can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, ensure the air fryer is preheated to the recommended temperature of 350°F (175°C) and cook for 5 minutes.

Frequently asked questions