How long to cook beef jerky in an air fryer

At-a-glance cooking parameters

Temperature

180 °F

82 °C

Total time

240 min

per single layer

Shake hourly at

60 min

shake hourly once

Internal temp

—

use visual cue

Homemade beef jerky air-fries low and slow at 180 °F (82 °C) for about 4 hours, shaking the basket and rotating the strips every hour so they dry evenly. Start with a lean cut — eye of round, top round, or sirloin tip — sliced about ¼-inch thick against the grain, then marinate 8–24 hours in soy sauce, Worcestershire, and brown sugar. Pat the strips dry and lay them in a single layer with space between them.

Per serving

Approximate values for a single portion of beef jerky (USDA baseline, cooked, includes light air-fryer oil spray).

Calories

100 kcal

Protein

12 g

Fat

5 g

Carbs

3 g

Beef Jerky in popular air fryer brands

Adjusted for how each brand actually heats. Tap a brand name to see every food we calibrate for it.

How to tell it’s done

Jerky is done when a cooled strip bends and cracks but does not snap clean in two — it should feel dry and leathery with no soft or glossy spots. Let a piece cool fully before judging, since warm jerky always seems softer than it really is.

Step-by-step method

1. 1

   Prep

   Bring ingredients close to room temperature. None — jerky is dehydrated, not fried. The marinade supplies all the moisture and flavor it needs.

2. 2

   Season

   Season with soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder.

3. 3

   Load

   Arrange about 1 lb of sliced raw beef per batch in a single layer, yielding roughly 6–8 oz of finished jerky. for best convection airflow.

4. 4

   Cook

   Set the air fryer to 180 °F (82 °C) and cook for 240 minutes total, shaking once at 60 minutes.

5. 5

   Check & rest

   Check the visual doneness cue and serve immediately for best texture.

6. 6

   Store

   Cool completely, then store in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 1 week, or refrigerate up to 2 weeks. A paper towel in the bag absorbs any residual moisture.

Watch out for

• !Slice against the grain and no thicker than ¼ inch — thick or with-grain strips dry unevenly and turn tough.
• !Pat the marinated strips dry before cooking; surface liquid steams instead of drying and lengthens the time.
• !Let a strip cool before testing doneness — warm jerky feels softer than it will once cooled.
• !Keep the strips in a single layer with gaps so the air circulates; overlapping pieces stay damp.

FAQ about beef jerky in an air fryer

What temperature should I cook beef jerky at in an air fryer?

Cook beef jerky at 180 °F (82 °C). The convection air at this temperature cooks the food gently — higher temperatures dry it out or scorch the surface.

How long does beef jerky take in an air fryer?

Beef jerky takes 240 minutes total at 180 °F (82 °C). Shake the basket once at 60 minutes so both sides cook evenly.

Do you need to shake beef jerky in an air fryer?

Yes — shake the basket once at 60 minutes. Loose pieces (beef jerky) settle into the basket and the bottom layer stays pale unless you redistribute them halfway through.

Do you need to preheat the air fryer for beef jerky?

Preheating is optional for beef jerky — most modern air fryers reach temperature in under 2 minutes and the food's total cook time already accounts for the ramp-up. If you do preheat, reduce the total time by 1–2 minutes and check earlier than usual.