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Air Fryer Beef Jerky

Craving a savory and satisfying snack? Look no further than homemade air fryer beef jerky! Flavor-packed and so easy to make, it’s a snack time game-changer.

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A plate holding beef jerky pieces and a small blue bowl holding additional pieces.

Get ready to embark on a flavor adventure with air fryer beef jerky! Once you taste the difference, you might never go back to the store-bought version again.

This homemade jerky starts with combining tender, thinly sliced sirloin steak with Teriyaki marinade to pack in the flavor. After that, simply let the air fryer work its magic. It couldn’t be easier!

The result is a hearty, savory snack that will keep you coming back for more. And thanks to the air fryer, you don’t even need a dehydrator! 

Air Fryer I recommend: Large, easy to clean, square basket, burner on top and bottom. Click to see it.
A plate with sirloin steak and a small bowl of teriyaki sauce.

How to Make Beef Jerky in the Air Fryer

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

Sirloin steak cut into pieces on a white plate next to a small bowl of teriyaki sauce.

STEP ONE: Cut the beef slices into strips or squares, then place them in a plastic zipper bag with the Teriyaki sauce. 

Slices of sirloin steak in a zip top bag with teriyaki sauce.

STEP TWO: Massage the sauce around the beef to ensure it’s evenly coated, then place the bag in the refrigerator. Marinate the beef for 24-48 hours.

STEP THREE: When ready to cook, remove the beef from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels.

Sirloin steak pieces in a single layer of a black air fryer basket.

STEP FOUR: Place the beef pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

STEP FIVE: Air fry at 200 degrees F for 2 hours, flipping halfway.

Sirloin beef jerky pieces resting in a single layer of a black air fryer basket.

STEP SIX: Check to see if the beef is completely dehydrated and has reached an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. If not, continue to air fry at 15 minute intervals.

STEP SEVEN: Allow the jerky to cool, then store it in an airtight container.

A closeup view of beef jerky slices in a black air fryer basket.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Jerky

How Long to Cook Beef Jerky in the Air Fryer

Making jerky at home does take a little planning in advance. That being said, the actual hands-on prep only takes minutes. That’s the beauty of this easy recipe!

First, before you actually cook the jerky, you want to give the beef plenty of time to marinate. I like using Teriyaki for a super simple beef jerky marinade that always packs in a punch of flavor. You want to let the beef marinate for at least 24 hours, although I recommend giving it 48 hours.

Next, we’re going to cook the jerky low and slow in the air fryer. By cooking the beef at 200 degrees F for 2 hours, we draw out the moisture, giving us that amazing jerky texture. 

After 2 hours, use an Instant Read Thermometer to see if the internal temperature has reached 160 degrees F. If not, keep cooking in 15 minute intervals until the beef reaches 160 degrees F.

Close up view of beef jerky slices on a white plate.

Tips for Making the Best Air Fryer Beef Jerky

  • Pound the steak very thin. You want it to be about ¼ of an inch thick to help it dehydrate.
  • Marinate the beef in Teriyaki sauce for at least 24 hours but preferably the full 48 hours to really maximize the flavor.
  • Want to make it spicy? Add a little cayenne pepper to your marinade!
  • Thoroughly pat the beef slices dry before air frying to remove excess moisture and promote better dehydration.
  • Arrange the beef pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket for even airflow and consistent cooking.
  • Allow the jerky to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness and texture.

More Delicious Air Fryer Marinated Recipes

Zoomed in view of beef jerky slices on a white plate with a small blue bowl of additional pieces in the background.

More Air Fryer Beef Recipes

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Yield: 8 Servings

Air Fryer Beef Jerky

A plate holding beef jerky pieces and a small blue bowl holding additional pieces.

Experience the incredible taste and texture of easy homemade air fryer beef jerky! So good, you may never want to eat the store-bought version again.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Marinating Time 1 day
Total Time 1 day 2 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound thinly sliced sirloin steak (¼-in thick)
  • 1 cup Teriyaki sauce

Instructions

  1. Cut the beef slices into strips or squares, then place them in a plastic zipper bag with the Teriyaki sauce. Massage the sauce around the beef to ensure it’s evenly coated, then place the bag in the refrigerator and marinate the beef for 24-48 hours.
  2. When ready to cook, remove the beef from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels.
  3. Place the beef pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 200 degrees F for 2 hours, flipping it halfway, checking to see if it’s completely dehydrated and at 160 degrees F. If not, continue to air fry at 15 minute intervals until it is.
  4. Allow the jerky to cool, then store it in an airtight container.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 170Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 1412mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 0gSugar: 5gProtein: 17g

This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.

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samantha

About Samantha

I’ve always had a love of cooking and creating new recipes, so it only made sense to create a food blog so I could share those recipes with you. This site is designed to provide easy and flavorful recipes with as little ingredients as possible. That means you still get great flavor combinations without all that extra time and effort. Read more...

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