Description
Homemade air fryer beef jerky delivers bold, smoky flavor without traditional dehydrator complexity. Lean meat seasoned with zesty spices creates a protein-packed snack you’ll crave for quick energy and satisfying munchies.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (500 grams) lean beef (top round, flank steak, or sirloin)
Liquid Seasonings:
- ¼ cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
Dry Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Meticulously trim all external fat from beef, understanding that excess fat accelerates spoilage. Select cutting technique based on desired texture: slice against grain for tender jerky or with grain for chewier consistency.
- Craft a robust marinade by blending soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garky powder, onion powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes in a spacious mixing vessel.
- Submerge beef slices completely in marinade, ensuring comprehensive coating. Transfer marinated meat to sealed container or zip-top bag for flavor infusion.
- Refrigerate marinated beef for minimum 4 hours, preferably overnight, allowing spices to penetrate deeply and develop complex flavor profile.
- Prepare air fryer by setting temperature precisely at 180F. If equipment lacks exact temperature, utilize lowest available setting and adjust cooking duration accordingly.
- Extract beef from marinade, thoroughly pat each slice dry using absorbent paper towels to enhance dehydration process.
- Strategically arrange beef slices in single layer within air fryer basket, maintaining critical spacing to prevent overlapping and ensure consistent drying.
- Initiate air frying process, rotating meat portions every half hour to guarantee uniform dehydration and texture development.
- Monitor jerky meticulously, achieving desired leathery consistency typically requires 2-3 hours. Actual duration varies based on slice thickness and specific air fryer characteristics.
- Allow jerky to cool completely at room temperature before transferring to hermetically sealed storage container.
- Preserve jerky at ambient temperature for one week or refrigerate up to two weeks for extended freshness.
Notes
- Choose lean cuts like top round or bottom round for the leanest, most flavorful jerky that stays fresh longer.
- Slice beef uniformly to ensure even drying and consistent texture throughout the batch.
- Experiment with marinade ingredients like chili powder, cayenne, or liquid smoke to customize flavor profiles without compromising the jerky’s texture.
- Use paper towels to remove excess moisture before air frying, which helps achieve that perfect chewy, dry jerky consistency and prevents potential bacterial growth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 hours
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg