How to Make Air Fryer Beef Jerky: A Step-by-Step Guide

Welcome to Extreme Food Reviews! My name is Daniel, and today I'll show you how to make delicious air fryer beef jerky. With National Jerky Day on June 12th, Jonas and I are gearing up to celebrate, and what better way than with homemade jerky? While some people use food dehydrators or ovens, we’re using an air fryer to achieve fantastic results. Ready to dive in? Let’s get started!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup tamari soy sauce
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon hickory-flavored liquid smoke
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon red cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon Trader Joe's chili pepper sauce
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 pound lean bottom round beef, sliced

Instructions

1. Prepare the Marinade

   • In a bowl, combine the tamari soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, hickory-flavored liquid smoke, onion powder, garlic powder, ground black pepper, red cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, Trader Joe's chili pepper sauce, and dark brown sugar.
   • Whisk everything together until you get a rich, brown marinade.

2. Prepare the Meat

   • Use a lean cut of bottom round beef. You can slice it yourself or have your butcher do it. Ensure the slices are thin and uniform.
   • Place the beef slices into the marinade, ensuring each piece is well-coated.
   • Cover and refrigerate overnight to let the flavors fully infuse.

3. Prepare the Air Fryer

   • If your air fryer has racks, you can use those. Otherwise, use the basket.
   • For a unique approach, place shish kebab skewers across the lip of the basket to hang the jerky slices. This allows for better airflow and even dehydration.

4. Dehydrate the Jerky

   • Preheat the air fryer to 180°F (82°C).
   • Remove the beef from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess marinade.
   • Skewer the meat slices near one end, leaving space between them for proper airflow.
   • Hang the skewers on the lip of the air fryer basket and insert the basket carefully into the air fryer.
   • Set the timer for 45 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even dehydration.

5. Final Steps

   • After 45 minutes, check the jerky. If it needs more time, rearrange the slices and continue dehydrating for an additional 15 minutes.
   • Once the jerky is perfectly dried, remove it from the air fryer. It should be tender, not overly dry.
   • Place the jerky in a Tupperware container lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Let it cool for about an hour.
   • Blot any remaining oil and store the jerky in an airtight container.

Enjoy Your Homemade Beef Jerky

Your air fryer beef jerky is now ready to enjoy! For those who love to share, use a vacuum food sealer to package some jerky as a gift. Stay tuned this week for our giveaway, where one lucky subscriber will receive a package of our "murky jerky."