Air Fryer Beef Jerky

Beef jerky is the perfect snack recipe for on the go. If you love homemade jerky too, then you will love this air fryer recipe. There is no need to us a dehydrator for this recipe. The air fryer does all the work and the results are chewy jerky with amazing taste.

We love using the air fryer for many recipes. Check out some of my other favorite snack recipes – Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Wings, Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza and How to make Air Fryer Pizza Rolls.

Why This Recipe Works

I was amazed how easy it was to make Homemade beef jerky thanks to the air fryer. It taste so much better than store-bought jerky because how tender it cooks and packed with intense flavor.

Feel free to change the jerky marinade to what you prefer and enjoy a homemade snack that everyone will love.

Ingredients

• Beef Steak – Choose top round or sirloin and trim any of excess fat
• Soy Sauce – See Best Soy Sauce Substitute if you need to use a gluten free option.
• Worcestershire Sauce – See The Best Worcestershire Sauce Substitutes if you are out.
• Brown Sugar – Try making Homemade Brown Sugar with pantry ingredients
• Garlic Powder – If you are check out, The Best Garlic Powder Substitute
• Onion Powder – Best Onion Powder Substitutes if you are looking for a substitute.

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

• Teriyaki Sauce – You can marinate beef strips in a teriyaki sauce mixture.
• Smoked – Add in liquid smoke to the beef marinade for amazing variation.
• Spicy – To add some heat to the jerky, you can include 1-2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper in the marinade ingredients.

How to Make Air Fryer Beef Jerky

• Step 1 – Slice the beef steak against the grain into thin strips, about ¼ inch thick.

Step 2 – In a large bowl or resealable plastic bag, whisk together the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.

Step 3 – Add the sliced beef to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or seal the bag, and refrigerate for 4-8 hours, or overnight for a more intense flavor.

Step 4 – Preheat the air fryer to 180°F. Remove the beef slices from the marinade and pat them dry with paper towels. Discard the remaining marinade.

Step 5 – Arrange the beef slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t overlap. You may need to cook the beef in multiple batches.

• Step 6 – Cook the beef jerky in the air fryer for 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, or until the jerky is dry and firm, but still slightly pliable. Check the jerky every 30 minutes and flip the slices over for even drying.
• Step 7 – Remove the beef jerky from the air fryer and let it cool completely at room temperature.

Expert Tips

• Slicing Steak – If the steak is partially frozen, it will be easier to slice thinly. Make sure to trim fat from the steak.
• Marinade – For the best flavor, make sure to marinade cut of beef for at least 4 hours. We like to marinate overnight.
• Cooking Beef – Make sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure the steak if cooked to internal temperature of 160 degrees.