Beef Jerky in the Air Fryer
You do not need a dehydrator to make air fryer beef jerky. A basket air fryer set to 170 °F dries thin, marinated strips of beef in about 3 hours per batch, and a short hot finish at the end makes the jerky safe to eat. This recipe covers the cut, the marinade, the drying time and how to know when it is ready.
- Temperature
- 170°F80 °C
- Total time
- 10:35hrs
- Prep time
- 25min
- Servings
- 6
- Internal temp
- 160°F71 °C
- Per serving
- 80kcal
Why the air fryer works for beef jerky
Jerky is dried meat, and drying needs low, steady heat plus moving air. An air fryer is a small convection oven, and the fan does most of the work. At 170 °F the surface dries out slowly instead of cooking, and the basket sends air around each strip so water leaves from both sides.
The limit is space. A basket holds roughly half a pound of strips in a single layer, so a full pound of beef means two batches. Lean cuts matter just as much as the marinade: eye of round and top round have almost no fat, which gives jerky that lasts. Tender cuts such as beef tenderloin are wasted here, and a cheaper roast is the better choice if you already like roast beef.
How to make beef jerky in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Slice the beef Put the beef in the freezer for until firm but not frozen solid. Slice it ¼ inch thick, with the grain for chewy jerky or against the grain for a more tender bite. Cut away any fat, because fat turns rancid in storage.
- Marinate Whisk the soy sauce, Worcestershire, brown sugar, liquid smoke, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and pepper flakes in a bowl. Add the beef, toss well, cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Throw out the leftover marinade.
- Dry the strips Pat the strips dry with paper towels. Lay them in a single layer in the basket with a little space between each, as the jerky shrinks. Set the air fryer to 170 °F. If your model has a dehydrate setting, use it. Many basket models cannot go below 170 °F, and some start at 180 or 200 °F; in that case use the lowest setting and start checking after , because the strips dry faster and turn tougher. Cook for 3 hours, turning the strips and rotating the basket every hour. A 4–6 qt basket holds about half a pound of strips, so 1 lb of beef means two batches, or about 6 hours of drying in total.
- Check for doneness Take a strip out and let it cool for . Bend it. Done jerky cracks but does not snap in half, and no moist or soft spots show in the center. If it still feels soft, dry it for another 20 to .
- Heat to a safe temperature USDA guidance says dried meat should also reach 160 °F, because low drying temperatures can leave bacteria alive. Put the finished strips back in the basket (in batches if needed) and cook at 275 °F for , then check with an instant-read thermometer on a thicker strip.
- Cool and store Let the jerky cool to room temperature on a rack, then store it in an airtight container.
Times and temperatures
| Beef Jerky | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| ¼-inch stripsTurn every hour | 170 °F (80 °C) | 3 hr |
| Thin, ⅛-inch stripsCheck after 90 min | 170 °F (80 °C) | 2 hr |
| Final heating stepReach 160 °F | 275 °F (140 °C) | 10 min |
| Teriyaki flavorSwap in teriyaki sauce (not gluten-free) | 170 °F (80 °C) | 3 hr |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. Done at 160 °F (71 °C) in the center. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Freeze before slicing. Firm meat slices into even strips. Strips of different thickness dry at different speeds and you end up with a mix of brittle and soft pieces.
- Dry the surface. Wet strips steam in the first hour. Pat them dry and let them sit on a rack for 10 minutes before they go into the basket.
- Do not skip the 160 °F finish. Drying alone does not guarantee that harmful bacteria are gone, so the short hot step at the end is worth the extra 10 minutes.
What to serve with beef jerky
Jerky is a snack, so it goes with trail mix, cheese cubes and crackers, or sliced apples. It also travels well for road trips and hiking. Chop leftover pieces and add them to scrambled eggs or a salad for a savory crunch.
Storing and reheating
Let the jerky cool completely, then pack it in an airtight container or zip bag with a paper towel to absorb moisture. It keeps for about a week at room temperature and up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months. Jerky does not need reheating, but if it feels stiff, microwave it for 5 seconds.
Variations
- Teriyaki: Replace the soy sauce and Worcestershire with ½ cup teriyaki sauce and add 1 tsp grated fresh ginger (not gluten-free).
- Spicy: Increase the red pepper flakes to 1 tsp and add ½ tsp cayenne.
- Black pepper: Press extra coarse black pepper onto each strip just before drying for a peppery crust.
If it does not turn out right
- The jerky is too dry and brittle
- It was dried too long or cut too thin. Check at 2 hours 15 minutes, and cut the strips closer to ¼ inch than ⅛ inch.
- The jerky is soft and greasy
- Fat was left on the beef, or the strips overlapped in the basket. Trim all visible fat, pat the strips dry and keep a gap between them.
- The edges burn before the middle dries
- Your air fryer runs hotter than the dial says. Lower the setting if you can, turn the strips more often and start checking 30 minutes earlier.
Questions and answers
How long does beef jerky take in the air fryer?
About 3 hours at 170 °F for ¼-inch strips, flipping every hour, plus 10 minutes at 275 °F to finish. Thinner strips can be ready in 2 hours.
What temperature should I use for beef jerky in the air fryer?
170 °F is the standard setting, or 160 °F on models that go that low. If your air fryer starts at 180 or 200 °F, use the lowest setting and check early. Higher settings cook the strips instead of drying them and make tough, crumbly jerky.
Can I make jerky in the air fryer without a dehydrator?
Yes. Any basket air fryer with a low temperature setting works, as long as the strips lie in a single layer with air moving around them. A cooling rack that fits the basket holds more strips.
How long does homemade jerky last?
About a week at room temperature in an airtight container, 2 weeks in the refrigerator, and several months in the freezer. Discard any jerky that smells off or shows mold.
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