Marianne Martinez
Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a variety of meats, including steak, chicken, pork, and lamb. They work by rapidly circulating hot air around food, creating a crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy. This makes them a convenient and healthy option for preparing meat, as they use little to no oil. However, not all meats are well-suited for air fryers, and certain types of meat may be more challenging to cook evenly or achieve the desired doneness level. For example, while an air fryer can cook bacon, the high fat content of bacon can cause excess smoke or a mess. Similarly, cooking a whole chicken or roast in an air fryer may result in uneven cooking, with some parts drying out or steaming instead of roasting. Nonetheless, with proper portioning, defrosting, and temperature control, air fryers can be a delicious and healthy way to prepare a range of meats.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat types | Beef, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey, fish, shrimp, bacon |
| Meat products | Sausages, burgers, steak, chicken breast, pork chops, pork belly, bacon, salmon |
| Temperature | 180°C-425°F |
| Time | 8-50 minutes |
| Oil | 1 teaspoon per serving |
| Seasoning | 1 teaspoon per serving |
| Defrosting | Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or in cold water for 30 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken, including chicken breast and chicken thighs
Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs can be cooked in an air fryer in around 20 minutes at 200ºc/400ºF. The skin on the chicken thighs will be perfectly crispy, and the meat will be juicy. The bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are a good option as the bone adds extra flavour to the meat, and the skin locks in moisture. The chicken skin gets super crispy in the air fryer. The bone also makes the meat harder to dry out or overcook.
A recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Thighs suggests seasoning the chicken with lemon juice and other spices. Rub the seasoning all over the chicken, then transfer to the air fryer, skin side down. Air fry at 400ºF for 12 minutes on each side until golden and crispy, and cooked through in the centre.
Chicken Breasts
Chicken breasts can be cooked in an air fryer in 10 to 14 minutes, depending on their size. The key to this recipe is to buy the right size of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 7 ounces. Lightly pound the chicken to flatten and reduce the larger bump on one end. Then, coat the chicken in some oil and sprinkle the seasoning on both sides. Add the chicken to the air fryer and cook smooth side down for 7 minutes at 375ºF (190ºC). Flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 3 minutes, or more for larger chicken breasts, until the internal temperature reaches 160ºF (71ºC).
A secret to juicy chicken breast is brining, which is the process of salting the meat and letting it rest prior to cooking. During brining, the meat absorbs extra liquid and salt, keeping it moist and flavourful.
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Steak, including ribeye and flank steak
Flank Steak
Flank steak is a leaner cut of meat that is good for grilling but can become tough if overcooked or not cut properly. A good marinade with ingredients like olive oil, salt, and pepper can help break down the fibres, making the steak more tender. It is recommended to marinate the steak for up to 24 hours, but even an hour can make a difference. Don't forget to flip the steak halfway through the marinating time to ensure both sides are coated evenly. Before cooking, remove the steak from the marinade and let it sit for 30 minutes to bring it to room temperature.
For a 1-inch steak, preheat your air fryer to 400°F and place the steak inside. For a medium-rare steak, cook for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway. If you prefer your steak medium, cook for 12 minutes, flipping halfway. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your steak and the model of your air fryer, so adjust accordingly.
Let the steak rest for at least 5-10 minutes after cooking, covered with foil to retain the juices. Slice the steak as thinly as possible, against the grain, for the best texture.
Ribeye Steak
Ribeye steaks can be marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, olive oil, and your choice of seasoning. Marinate the steaks for at least 2 hours, or you can prepare them in the morning and cook them at night. After marinating, pat the steaks dry to remove excess oil. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and add a tablespoon of water to the bottom of the pan to prevent smoking.
For a medium-rare ribeye steak, cook for about 7 minutes on each side. If you prefer your steak medium, cook for 8 minutes on each side. Let the steaks rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
General Tips for Air Frying Steak
- Steaks should be at least 1 inch thick to prevent them from cooking too fast without browning.
- A dry rub with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika can enhance the colour and flavour of leaner steaks.
- Ensure there is enough airflow in the air fryer basket for optimal browning.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of your steak. For medium-rare, it should read 125-135°F.
- Always let the steak rest after cooking, loosely tented with foil, to prevent overcooking.
- Serve your steak with sides like baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, roasted green beans, or asparagus.
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Pork, including pork belly and bacon
Pork belly and bacon are two popular cuts of pork that can be cooked in an air fryer.
Pork Belly
Pork belly is a versatile cut of meat that can be cooked in a variety of ways in an air fryer. One option is to cut the pork belly into bite-sized pieces and season them with a mixture of oil, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. The pork belly pieces can then be placed in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cooked at 180°C/320°F for 18-20 minutes, or until crispy and cooked through.
Another option is to cook a larger joint of pork belly, which can be seasoned with Chinese five-spice and garlic powder or granules for extra flavour. This method involves wrapping the pork belly joint in tinned foil, with the meat facing down and the sides of the joint covered, leaving the skin uncovered. The pork belly can then be placed in the air fryer and cooked at 160°C/320°F for 30 minutes, before increasing the temperature to 240°C/465°F and cooking for a further 10 minutes to ensure crispy skin.
Bacon
Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve crispy, evenly cooked bacon with minimal mess. To cook bacon in an air fryer, place the desired number of bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are lying flat. The bacon can be cooked at 350°F for 7-9 minutes for regular cut bacon, or 10-12 minutes for thick-cut bacon. For thinner bacon, it is recommended to check on the bacon after 5-6 minutes to avoid overcooking.
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Lamb, including lamb chops and lamb kebab
Lamb is a versatile meat that can be cooked in an air fryer in many ways, including lamb chops and lamb kebabs.
Lamb Chops
Lamb chops are a great midweek meal that can be cooked in an air fryer in a matter of minutes. The first step is to prepare a marinade of olive oil, red wine vinegar, rosemary, oregano, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Rub this mixture into the lamb chops and chill for an hour. Then, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and place the lamb chops in the basket. Cook for 7-9 minutes, flipping halfway through. The lamb chops are ready when they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit for medium-well doneness.
Lamb Kebabs
Lamb kebabs, or lamb shish kebabs, are another delicious option for the air fryer. To make the kebabs, combine yogurt, lemon juice, smoked paprika, cumin, ground coriander, and salt in a bowl. Toss lamb pieces in this marinade and leave in the fridge for 2-3 hours or overnight. Then, thread the lamb onto skewers, alternating with slices of pepper if desired. Place the skewers in the air fryer basket and cook at 200 degrees Celsius or 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes, turning halfway. Serve with flatbread and yogurt sauce for a tasty meal.
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Beef, including beef mince and burgers
Beef is a versatile meat that can be cooked in an air fryer in many different ways. This includes beef mince and burgers.
Beef mince
Cooking beef mince in an air fryer is a hands-free process that requires little preparation. Simply place the mince in the air fryer basket, season it with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and close the lid. Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook the mince for 5 minutes. Then, stir the mince and continue cooking for another 3-5 minutes, or until it is cooked through. Once it is cooked, crumble the beef with a wooden spoon and discard any remaining fat and liquid.
Burgers
Air fryers can be used to cook juicy burgers in a matter of minutes. To start, add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket to prevent smoking. Then, spray the basket with non-stick spray to prevent the burgers from sticking. Place the burgers in the basket, ensuring they are not touching, and set the air fryer to 350˚F. Air fry the burgers for 8 minutes—there is no need to flip them while they are cooking.
Once the burgers are cooked, you can add cheese and return them to the air fryer for another 1-2 minutes. You can also toast the buns in the air fryer by placing them cut-side up and air frying for 1 minute.
Other beef dishes
In addition to mince and burgers, there are numerous other beef dishes that can be cooked in an air fryer. This includes steak fajitas, steak-wrapped asparagus, beef and bean taquitos, meatloaf, meatballs, and roast beef.
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Frequently asked questions
Air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep frying or conventional ovens as they require little to no oil. They also speed up cooking time.
You can cook a variety of meats in an air fryer, including steak, chicken, pork, lamb, and beef.
Set the temperature of your air fryer to 180°C and cook the steak for 10 minutes, flipping it halfway through.
If you're cooking a whole chicken, make sure it fits comfortably in your air fryer. You should be able to fit a 1.6kg chicken in a medium-sized air fryer. Cook for 45-50 minutes at 190ºc/375ºf. For chicken thighs, cook for 20 minutes at 200ºc/400ºf.
Pork belly is a great option as the air fryer cooks the meat evenly and ensures perfect crackling.
