Perfectly Cooked Beef Cutlets in the Air Fryer Every Time

Air fryers have become increasingly popular for their ability to make deliciously crispy foods with little to no oil. Far from just French fries and chicken nuggets, air fryers can also be used to cook juicy, flavorful beef cutlets.

With the right preparation and cooking techniques, air fryers yield beef cutlets with a crispy breaded exterior enveloping tender, juicy meat Unlike pan frying or deep frying, air frying significantly reduces the amount of oil needed while still producing that same crunchy texture

In this article you’ll learn everything you need to know to make perfect beef cutlets in the air fryer, from the best cuts to use to seasoning and cooking tips. You’ll also find handy recipes for both breaded and marinated variations. Let’s get cooking!

Benefits of Cooking Beef Cutlets in an Air Fryer

Here are some of the biggest benefits of using an air fryer for beef cutlets

• Requires little to no oil for crisping compared to pan frying, resulting in fewer calories

• Shortens cooking time due to the air fryer’s quickly circulating hot air

• Produces cutlets with a crispy, golden brown exterior without deep frying

• Retains juiciness and tenderness of the beef unlike other high heat cooking methods

• Allows for easy cooking of a small batch rather than heating up the whole oven

• Versatile for cooking breaded, marinated, or plain seasoned cutlets

• Easy to monitor and flip cutlets periodically unlike oven baking

• Simple cleanup with minimal splattering compared to stovetop cooking

With all these advantages, it’s easy to see why more and more home cooks are turning to their trusty air fryer for cooking up perfect beef cutlets.

Selecting the Best Beef Cuts for Air Frying

For tender, juicy results, you’ll want to choose relatively thin beef cuts that will cook quickly and evenly. Here are some of the best options:

• Flank steak: A flavorful, lean cut that slices nicely into cutlets

• Sirloin tip steaks: Also called flap meat, these are budget-friendly and cook evenly

• Skirt steak: Similar to flank with great beefy flavor; slice across the grain

• Hanger steak: Also known as butcher’s steak, it has lots of flavor due to being so active

• Flat iron steak: Tender like sirloin, taken from the chuck primal cut

• Top round steaks: Affordable option from the round primal; slice thinly

• Any steak cut about 1⁄2 inch thick: Filet mignon, ribeye, NY strip all workgreat

Whichever cut you choose, slice it against the grain and pound it to an even thickness. This ensures quick, uniform cooking in the air fryer.

Preparing Beef Cutlets for the Air Fryer

Proper preparation is key to end up with tender, juicy air fried cutlets:

• Trim excess fat and silverskin to prevent burning and smoking

• Slice steak against the grain into 1⁄2 inch thick cutlets for tenderness

• Use a meat mallet to gently pound cutlets to an even thickness

• Season cutlets on both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc.

• Consider marinating beef to boost flavor (see marinade recipe below)

• Pat cutlets dry before breading to help coating stick

• Set up breading station with flour, egg wash, and breadcrumbs

• Bread cutlets evenly in flour, egg, and crumbs for a crispy crust

Now the cutlets are ready for the air fryer for a quick cook and tender, juicy results!

How to Cook Breaded Beef Cutlets in an Air Fryer

For classic breaded cutlets, follow these simple steps:

1. Preheat air fryer to 380 ̊F.

2. Bread cutlets in flour, egg wash, and panko breadcrumbs or almond flour.

3. Mist cutlets with oil spray for even browning.

4. Cook 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown.

5. Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer, ensuring it reaches 145 ̊F.

6. Let rest 5 minutes before serving for juiciest results.

7. Serve with fresh lemon wedges, parsley, roasted veggies or potatoes.

As a general rule, air fry cutlets for 7-9 minutes per 1⁄2 inch thickness to ensure they cook through. Adjust time as needed based on your air fryer model.

Recipe for Breaded Beef Cutlets in the Air Fryer

This easy breaded cutlet recipe results in crispy, juicy air fried beef in just 20 minutes:

Ingredients:

• 4 thin beef cutlets
• 1⁄2 cup flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp each salt, pepper, garlic powder
• 2 Tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Pound cutlets to 1⁄2 inch thickness.

2. Season flour with salt, pepper and garlic powder in shallow dish.

3. Place eggs and panko in separate shallow dishes.

4. Dredge cutlets in flour, dip in egg, then coat in panko.

5. Mist cutlets with olive oil spray.

6. Air fry at 380 ̊F for 8-10 minutes per side until browned and 145 ̊F.

7. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

8. Serve with desired sauces or garnishes.

For a lighter option, try using almond flour in place of traditional breadcrumbs when breading. It gives a tasty crunch without the carbs!

Cooking Marinated Beef Cutlets in an Air Fryer

In addition to breaded cutlets, you can also make flavorful marinated cutlets in the air fryer. The marinade tenderizes while also infusing with lots of flavor.

Marinade suggestions:

• Soy sauce, lime, garlic, ginger

• Balsamic vinegar, Dijon, basil, garlic

• Worcestershire, garlic, onion powder

• Chili sauce, brown sugar, lime

To cook:

1. Marinate cutlets 15-30 minutes.

2. Remove cutlets, pat dry, season with salt and pepper.

3. Mist with oil spray.

4. Air fry at 400 ̊F for 6-8 minutes per side.

5. Check internal temperature, cook longer if needed.

6. Let rest 5 minutes then serve.

The marinade caramelizes into a nice crust while keeping the inside juicy. Feel free to marinate for a few hours in the fridge for even bolder flavor.

Recipe for Balsamic Marinated Air Fried Cutlets

This easy marinade adds lots of Italian flavor to beef before air frying:

Marinade Ingredients:

• 1⁄4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1⁄4 cup olive oil
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1⁄2 tsp salt
• 1⁄4 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Whisk together all marinade ingredients.

2. Place 4 beef cutlets in shallow dish and cover with marinade.

3. Marinate at least 15-30 minutes (or overnight).

4. Remove from marinade and pat dry. Season with additional salt and pepper.

5. Mist with olive oil spray then air fry at 400 ̊F for 7-9 minutes per side until 145 ̊F internal temperature.

6. Let rest 5 minutes then serve.

This easy balsamic marinade infuses the cutlets with tons of Italian flavor that gets browned and concentrated in the air fryer. Serve over pasta or with roasted vegetables for a tasty dinner.

Tips for Perfect Air Fried Beef Cutlets

Here are some top tips for achieving the best results when cooking beef cutlets in an air fryer:

• Pat cutlets very dry before breading to help the coating stick

• Use a meat thermometer to check doneness; aim for 145 ̊F

• Let cutlets rest before slicing for juicier results

• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; work in batches if needed

• Flip cutlets over halfway during cooking for even browning

• Adjust cook times based on thickness of cutlets and your air fryer model

• For crispier results, mist cutlets with oil spray before air frying

• Bread just before frying so the coating doesn’t get soggy

• Season flour and breadcrumbs with extra spices and herbs for more flavor

By following these tips, you’ll be air frying perfectly cooke