Air Fryer Beef Jerky: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Beef jerky is a delicious snack, but it can be expensive to buy. Luckily, it's easy to make at home in an air fryer like the PowerXL, and it's healthier, too, as it doesn't require much oil. You can use a variety of marinades and seasonings to flavour your beef jerky, such as teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper. The whole process is simple: slice your beef into thin strips, marinate it, pat it dry, and then place it in the air fryer for a couple of hours.

Choosing the right cut of meat

Lean Cuts are Best

When making beef jerky, it's important to choose a lean cut of meat with minimal fat. Fat can cause the jerky to spoil faster, as it doesn't dry well. Look for cuts like top round, bottom round, sirloin, or sirloin tip. These cuts have the ideal balance of flavour and leanness, making them perfect for jerky.

Tenderness and Chewiness

The type of cut you choose will also determine the texture of your jerky. If you prefer chewier jerky, opt for a tougher cut of meat like flank steak or sirloin. For a softer, melt-in-your-mouth texture, go for a more tender cut. You can also adjust the chewiness by slicing the meat with or against the grain. Slicing with the grain will result in a chewier texture, while slicing against it will give you more tender jerky.

Thickness Matters

For even cooking and drying, it's crucial to slice the meat into thin, uniform strips. Aim for a thickness of around 1/8 to 1/4 inch. You can use a sharp knife to cut the meat, or ask your butcher to slice it for you. Freezing the meat for an hour or two before slicing can also make it easier to cut thin, consistent strips.

Marinade Absorption

The right cut of meat will also absorb the flavours of your marinade effectively. Look for cuts with a good amount of surface area that will allow the marinade to penetrate the meat. This will ensure your jerky is packed with flavour.

Pre-sliced Options

If you want to save time, you can also opt for pre-sliced options like thin minute steak (Rouladen style beef). This cut is already sliced thinly, saving you a step in the preparation process.

In summary, when choosing the right cut of meat for your PowerXL Air Fryer beef jerky, opt for lean cuts like top round or sirloin, consider the desired texture (chewy or tender), slice the meat thinly and uniformly, and allow for adequate marinade absorption. With the right cut of meat and proper preparation, you'll be well on your way to making delicious, flavourful beef jerky at home.

Marinating the beef

Firstly, prepare your marinade by whisking together your chosen ingredients. A typical marinade might include soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. You can also experiment with other ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, honey, ginger, smoked paprika, or liquid smoke. The basic rule is to combine something salty, something sweet, and something spicy or savoury.

Next, slice your beef into thin strips, no thicker than 1/4 inch or, ideally, 1/8 inch. You can slice against the grain for a tender texture or with the grain for a chewier jerky. If you're finding it difficult to slice the beef thinly, try partially freezing it first or ask your butcher to slice it for you.

Once your beef is sliced, add the strips to the marinade, ensuring that all the surfaces of the meat are covered. Use a bowl or a resealable bag, cover, and place in the refrigerator. The beef should be left to marinate for at least an hour, but preferably for 2-4 hours or even overnight for the best flavour.

When the beef has finished marinating, remove it from the refrigerator and drain off any excess marinade. It's important to pat the beef dry with paper towels before placing it in the air fryer to ensure the best texture.

Now your beef is ready for the air fryer! Remember to preheat your air fryer to 180 degrees F for 3-5 minutes before adding the beef jerky. Place the strips in the basket in a single layer, making sure they're not overlapping, and cook for 2-3 hours.

Drying the beef

Step 1: Marinating the Beef

Before drying the beef, it is important to prepare it adequately. Start by slicing the steak into thin strips, ideally around 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Use a sharp knife and slice against the grain for tenderness, or with the grain if you prefer your jerky chewier.

Next, prepare your marinade by mixing ingredients like soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Whisk the ingredients together in a bowl, and then add the beef strips, ensuring they are fully covered by the marinade. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator to marinate. For optimal flavour, it is best to leave the beef to marinate for at least 3 hours or even overnight.

Step 2: Preparing the Air Fryer

Take the beef strips out of the refrigerator and pat them dry with paper towels to remove any excess liquid. Preheat your PowerXL air fryer to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. If your air fryer has a specific preheat button, press it. Otherwise, adjust the time and temperature settings for preheating. Set the temperature to 180 F and preheat for 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 3: Arranging the Beef in the Air Fryer Basket

Once your air fryer is preheated, it's time to add the beef jerky. Place the beef strips in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overlapping. Leave some gaps between the strips to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking. If you have a lot of beef jerky to cook, consider cooking in smaller batches or using a rack to create multiple layers without blocking airflow.

Step 4: Setting the Cooking Time and Temperature

After placing the beef in the air fryer basket, slide the basket back into the machine. Set the temperature to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, and the cooking time for around 120 minutes. Some air fryers have a 100-minute cycle, so if yours does, set a timer to cook for an additional 20 minutes after the initial 100 minutes.

Step 5: Monitoring and Flipping the Beef

During the cooking process, it is important to monitor the beef jerky and flip it periodically for even cooking. Depending on the thickness of your strips and the model of your air fryer, the total drying time can vary from 2 to 4 hours. Flip the beef strips every 30 minutes to ensure even drying.

Step 6: Checking for Doneness

To check if your beef jerky is done, look for a bend and crack but no break. It should feel firm and dry to the touch without any sogginess. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure it has reached a safe internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 7: Cooling and Storing the Jerky

Once your beef jerky is done, remove it from the air fryer and allow it to cool completely before storing. Proper cooling helps prevent condensation, which can lead to spoilage. Store your beef jerky in airtight containers or freezer bags, and keep it in a cool, dark place like your pantry. Alternatively, you can extend its shelf life by storing it in the refrigerator, where it can last for several weeks.

Preheating the air fryer

To begin preheating, turn on the machine by connecting it to a power source. If your air fryer model has a specific preheat button, press it. Otherwise, adjust the time and temperature settings manually to preheat the air fryer. Set the temperature to 180 degrees Fahrenheit and the time for preheating to 3 to 5 minutes.

It is important to note that the preheating time may vary slightly depending on the model and specifications of your air fryer. Always refer to your air fryer's user manual for the most accurate instructions.

Once the air fryer has preheated, you can proceed to the next step of adding the beef jerky ingredients to the air fryer basket.

Cooking the beef

Once you've sliced your beef and prepared your marinade, it's time to cook your beef jerky in the PowerXL Air Fryer.

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 180°F. This should take around 3 to 5 minutes.

Next, place the beef strips into the air fryer basket. It's important that the beef strips are in a single layer and not overlapping. This ensures that all surfaces are exposed to the hot air and the beef dries out evenly. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may want to use a rack to maximise the number of strips you can cook at once.

Set the temperature to 180°F and cook for 2 to 3 hours. The longer you cook the beef, the chewier it will be. If you want a more traditional, chewy texture, slice the beef with the grain. For a tender chew, slice against the grain.

Check the beef jerky after 2 hours. It's ready when it bends and cracks but doesn't break completely and should feel firm and dry. If it's not ready, continue to cook in 15-20 minute intervals until done.

When the jerky is ready, allow it to cool before serving or storing.

Frequently asked questions