Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Marinating Time: 4 hours to overnight
Cooking Time: 2-3 hours
Total Time: 6-8 hours
Recipe Intensity: Moderate
Ingredients:
- 1 pound beef (such as flank steak, sirloin, or eye of round), thinly sliced against the grain
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, honey or maple syrup, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and smoked paprika (if using). Mix well to create the marinade.
- Place the thinly sliced beef in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the beef, making sure each slice is well coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Preheat your air fryer to 160°F (70°C) or the lowest temperature setting available.
- Remove the marinated beef slices from the refrigerator and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess marinade.
- Arrange the beef slices in a single layer on the air fryer trays or racks, leaving space between each slice for air circulation.
- Set the air fryer to the dehydrate function or the lowest temperature setting. If your air fryer doesn’t have a dehydrate function, set it to the lowest temperature and check periodically.
- Air fry the beef slices at 160°F (70°C) for about 2-3 hours, flipping them halfway through cooking. The beef jerky is done when it is dry, chewy, and no longer moist in the center.
- Once the beef jerky is done, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool completely before storing.
- Store the cooled beef jerky in an airtight container or resealable bags at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, keep it in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Enjoy your homemade air fryer beef jerky as a protein-packed snack on the go or as a flavorful addition to salads and sandwiches.
Note: Cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of your beef slices and the efficiency of your air fryer. Adjust the cooking time as needed to achieve your desired level of dryness and chewiness.
Experiment with different marinades and spices to customize the flavor of your beef jerky. Enjoy!
