Homemade Beef Jerky in the Air Fryer
Make protein-packed, flavorful Homemade Beef Jerky in the Air Fryer with ease! This simple recipe skips the dehydrator and smoker, delivering tender, chewy jerky with customizable flavor using everyday pantry staples. Ideal for healthy snacking, meal prep, or low-carb diets—perfectly seasoned, preservative-free, and ready in hours.
- Prep Time: 4 hours
- Cook Time: 2–3 hours
- Total Time: 6–7 hours
- Yield: About 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
1–2 lbs lean beef steak (top round, sirloin, or eye of round), trimmed of fat
1/2 cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
Optional Variations:
1–2 tsp red pepper flakes (for spicy jerky)
1 tbsp honey + teriyaki sauce (for teriyaki flavor)
1 tsp liquid smoke (for smoky flavor)
Instructions
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Slice the Beef: Partially freeze beef for 30 minutes, then slice against the grain into 1/4-inch thick strips.
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Make the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, Worcestershire, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until sugar dissolves.
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Marinate: Add beef strips to the marinade, cover or seal, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight.
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Preheat Air Fryer: Set air fryer to 160°F–180°F (70°C–82°C).
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Prepare for Cooking: Remove beef from marinade, pat dry with paper towels, and arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overlap.
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Air Fry: Cook for 2–3 hours, checking periodically. Jerky is done when dry, firm, and slightly pliable.
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Cool and Store: Let cool at room temperature. Store in airtight container.
Notes
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Storage: Store at room temp up to 1 week or refrigerate up to 2 weeks.
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Don’t Overlap Strips: Air circulation is key for even drying.
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Test Doneness: Jerky should be dry but still flexible—not brittle.
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No Curing Salt Needed: Unless you plan to store long-term unrefrigerated.
