Did you know that Ground Beef In Air Fryer is not only an easy solution for a quick and tasty dinner, but also easy to clean? In just a few minutes you can have ground beef browned to perfection. The best is you can add it to your tacos, quesadillas, and even mix it with rice or pasta.
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Why should you cook ground beef in the air fryer
Cooking ground beef in the air fryer is a game-changer:
- Quick – Place the ground beef in a bowl, season, and crumble, then let the air fryer do its magic.
- Leaner – If you are using a basket-style air fryer as I did, all the excess fat will drain out of the basket.
- Seasoning – Choose the seasoning to suit the meal or what you have in the pantry.
Pro Tips
- Using ground chuck, 80/20, allows the flavor to combine better with the beef and we find it more tender. Leaner ground beef cooked in the air fryer can be a bit dryer, so be careful not to overcook it.
- Have fun with this recipe. Change your seasoning, add bacon bits, or even cheese once it is done cooking.
Ingredients
This is so simple and I am sure you have the spices in the cupboard.
- Ground beef: I used ground chuck.
- Garlic powder & onion powder: Each brings a subtle sweetness to the meat.
- Lemon Pepper: This is one of our go-to seasonings. It brings a peppery taste but the lemon side helps tenderize the meat.
- Paprika: I enjoy adding it when I cook ground beef. It has a very mellow flavor but brings great color and some sweetness to the meat.
Instructions on how to cook ground beef in the air fryer
1: While you preheat the air fryer at 380 degrees F. for 4 minutes, unpack the ground beef and place it in a bowl.
2: Sprinkle the seasonings and mix well so it is evenly spread throughout the meat.
3: Put the meat in the air fryer & break it into pieces. Cook for 7 minutes. Check at 3 minutes and break the meat again while mixing.
4: Once the meat is cooked, place it in a serving dish or add it to your meal.
5: Enjoy!
Scroll down to the recipe card for exact ingredients and instructions.
Variations
Ground beef can be used for many different meals. The type of seasoning can make all the difference. Remember it doesn’t need to be complicated.
- Taco Seasoning – Adding a sprinkle of taco seasoning is a great option if you are planning to make our quesadillas.
- Ranch – I love using Ranch seasoning when I mix ground beef with pasta or a tasty substitution in Francesca’s nachos.
- French Onion – Adding some French onion seasoning to the ground beef brings a lovely sweetness to anything you want to add ground beef to. Try it in our taco shells done on the griddle.
Equipment
Air Fryer
Storage / Leftovers / Rewarm
- Storage: Wait until the ground beef has cooled. Put it in an airtight container for 3 – 4 days in the fridge.
- Leftovers: For a flavorful breakfast idea, add ground beef to caramelized onions and mushrooms just before you cover them with whisked eggs for unique scrambled eggs.
- Rewarm: You can put it back in the air fryer at 350 degrees F. 2 – 3 minutes, depending on how much you have.
FAQ
A general rule of thumb is to go by color. Once the ground beef has no more pink color the beef is cooked. You can always use an instant-read thermometer as well.
Yes. The preheated basket will do a quick sear on the ground beef locking the moisture in and making it easier to clean.
Taco meat is a great option for leaner ground beef, additionally in a meat sauce or any meal you want the beef to be more crumbly.
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Ground Beef In Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (I used ground chuck, 80/20)
Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon lemon pepper
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F. for 4 minutes.
- Unpack the ground beef and place into a mixing bowl.
- Sprinkle the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon pepper, and Paprika over the ground beef. Mix well so the seasoning is evenly spread throughout the meat.
- Crumble the meat and add to the preheated air fryer basket.
- Spread the meat in one layer. This will allow the meat to cook evenly.
- Cook at 380 degrees F. for 4 minutes.
- Open the air fryer and stir the ground beef. Break the beef crumbles into the size you want. This is important to allow the ground beef to evenly brown. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink.
- Remove the ground beef to a serving bowl or add to your meal. Serve and Enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe was done in a basket-style air fryer (5.8 qt).
- Preheating the air fryer makes a difference for this recipe as it does a quick light sear as soon as the meat is put into the basket. Additionally, this aids in clean up as well as the beef is less likely to stick to the basket.
- You can season the ground beef directly in the air fryer basket after it has preheated. Sprinkle the seasoning evenly and start the cook.
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