Air-Fryer Ground Beef: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Cooking ground beef in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and hands-off way to prepare ground beef. It is also less messy than cooking on a stovetop as the fat is drained away through the perforations in the air fryer basket, leaving you with leaner meat and an easier clean-up. You can then use the cooked ground beef in recipes such as Ground Beef Casserole, Southern Style Baked Beans, Creamy Ground Beef Pasta, and Beef Tacos.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your ground beef will brown properly. To preheat your air fryer to 400°F, simply turn the temperature dial to 400°F and let the air fryer run for 3 to 5 minutes with nothing inside. If your air fryer has a preheat button, you can use that instead.

Once your air fryer has preheated, you can place your ground beef inside and break it up. Make sure not to cover the air fryer basket completely, as this will restrict airflow. However, break up the meat enough so that it can cook through evenly.

If you are using lean ground beef, consider adding a tablespoon of olive oil or any other cooking oil to prevent the meat from drying out. Alternatively, you can add a splash of water to the ground beef halfway through the cooking process.

Now that your air fryer is preheated and your ground beef is prepared, you are ready to move on to the next step of cooking your ground beef to perfection!

Season the beef

Seasoning the beef is an important step in the cooking process. It is recommended to use a wooden spoon to break up the beef and stir the seasonings into the meat. The amount of seasoning you use will depend on your taste preferences and the intended use of the ground beef.

You can start with basic seasonings such as salt and pepper, and then add more to taste after the meat is fully cooked. Some other seasonings you can use include garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, ground mustard, paprika, and fresh or dried herbs.

If you plan to use the ground beef in a taco dish, you can add some taco seasoning. For Italian-style dishes, you can add Italian seasoning or herbs such as basil. For a classic American flavour, you can try bacon burger mac and cheese, or broccoli bacon beef pasta.

The possibilities for seasoning the beef are endless, and you can customise the flavours according to your preferences and the dish you plan to make.

Air fry for 5 minutes

Air frying ground beef is a quick and easy way to cook ground beef with minimal clean-up. After preheating your air fryer to 400°F, you can place the ground beef in the basket and season it with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat and stir in the seasonings.

Now, it's time to air fry! Set your timer for 5 minutes and let the air fryer work its magic. During this time, the fat from the ground beef will start to drain away through the perforations in the air fryer basket, resulting in leaner meat.

After 5 minutes, open the air fryer and give the ground beef a stir. You can use a wooden spoon to break it up further if needed. This step ensures even cooking and prevents the meat from drying out.

Break up the beef and cook for another 3-5 minutes

Breaking up the beef and cooking it for another 3-5 minutes is an important step in the air fryer ground beef recipe. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide:

After placing the ground beef in the air fryer basket and seasoning it, use a wooden spoon to break up the meat into smaller pieces. This step ensures that the meat cooks evenly and thoroughly. It is important to not cover the air fryer basket completely when breaking up the meat, as this will restrict airflow.

Once the meat is broken up, return the air fryer basket to the air fryer and cook the ground beef for another 3-5 minutes at 400°F. This additional cooking time ensures that the meat is fully cooked and browned. The exact cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer, so it is important to keep an eye on the meat to prevent overcooking.

During this final cooking stage, you can also add any desired seasonings or spices to taste. This is also a good opportunity to break up any larger chunks of meat further, especially if you plan to use the ground beef in dishes such as tacos or casseroles.

After cooking for the additional 3-5 minutes, the ground beef should be cooked through and ready to be served or used in your favourite recipes. By breaking up the meat and cooking it for the specified time, you will achieve perfectly browned and flavourful ground beef with a great texture.

Drain the fat

When cooking ground beef in an air fryer, the fat will drain to the bottom of the air fryer basket through the perforations. This means that the meat is not cooking in the fat, and it also makes for easier clean-up.

To drain the fat from the cooked ground beef, simply lift the air fryer basket out of the air fryer. You'll see that all the fat and liquid have been drained off and left behind in the air fryer. You can then crumble the beef to your desired consistency and use it in your chosen recipe.

It's worth noting that because the fat drains away, the cooked ground beef may be a little drier than you'd like. If you're adding the beef to a sauce, this won't be a problem, but if you're using it in a more plain dish like tacos, you may want to add a sauce.

Frequently asked questions