How to Cook Juicy Beef Cutlets in the Air Fryer – A Step-by-Step Guide

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance for making crispy foods without all the oil of traditional deep frying Their convection heating technology allows you to achieve a delicious fried texture with minimal oil This makes air fryers a great option for cooking up flavorful beef cutlets with a crispy breadcrumb crust,

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk through how to cook beef cutlets in the air fryer for perfect results every time. You’ll learn how to choose the right cut of beef, prep and bread cutlets properly how long to cook them plus find a variety of breaded and marinated beef cutlet recipes ideal for the air fryer.

Benefits of Cooking Beef Cutlets in an Air Fryer

There are several advantages to using an air fryer when cooking beef cutlets:

• Achieves a crispy, crunchy breadcrumb crust without deep frying
• Cooks cutlets quickly and evenly with hot circulating air
• Produces juicy, flavorful results by sealing in moisture
• Requires minimal oil for crisping compared to pan frying
• Easy to make breaded or marinated cutlets with little mess
• Simple cleanup since air fryers contain mess and oil splatter

For nicely browned and tender beef cutlets, an air fryer can’t be beat for convenience and delicious results.

Choosing the Right Cut of Beef

When selecting beef to make your own cutlets, opt for lean cuts that will cook quickly while remaining juicy. Good choices include:

• Top round steak
• Eye of round steak
• Sirloin steak
• Flank steak

Look for steaks that are around 1⁄2 to 1 inch thick for the right proportions. Thinner cuts may overcook while thicker steaks won’t cook through fully.

Prepping Beef Cutlets for the Air Fryer

Proper preparation is key to achieving evenly cooked cutlets that stay juicy when air fried. Follow these steps:

• Trim steaks of any excess fat or silver skin
• Cut steaks into roughly 4 oz portions if necessary
• Use a meat mallet or tenderizer to gently pound the meat to an even 1⁄2 inch thickness
• Pat cutlets dry thoroughly with paper towels before breading

If using premade cutlets, simply pat them dry before breading as directed.

Breading Beef Cutlets for Air Frying

For ultimate crunch, breading your beef cutlets is essential. Follow this process:

• Set up three shallow bowls for breading station
• Fill one with flour, season with salt and pepper
• Fill one with beaten egg or egg wash (eggs + water or milk)
• Fill one with breadcrumbs, panko, or ground crackers
• Dredge cutlets in flour, dip in egg, then press into breadcrumbs to coat
• For gluten-free option, substitute almond or coconut flour for breadcrumbs

Make sure cutlets are fully coated and breading adheres evenly. Refrigerate breaded cutlets for 10-15 minutes before air frying for best results.

How to Cook Breaded Beef Cutlets in an Air Fryer

Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked beef cutlets:

1. Preheat air fryer to 370 ̊F.

2. Place breaded cutlets in air fryer basket in a single layer, no overlapping.

3. Lightly spray cutlets with oil or cooking spray.

4. Air fry cutlets for 6-8 minutes until underside is crispy and golden brown.

5. Flip cutlets and air fry 6-8 minutes more until second side is browned and cutlets reach an internal temperature of 145 ̊F.

6. Allow cutlets to rest 3-5 minutes before serving.

For thinner cutlets, reduce cook times by 2-3 minutes per side. Monitor closely and use a meat thermometer for accuracy.

Marinated Beef Cutlet Recipes for the Air Fryer

In addition to breaded beef cutlets, the air fryer excels at cooking marinated cube steaks or thin beef cutlets infused with flavor.

Simply combine your desired marinade ingredients, pour over beef cutlets, and refrigerate 30 minutes up to overnight. Pat cutlets dry before air frying at 370 ̊F for 4-6 minutes per side depending on thickness.

Delicious marinade ideas include:

• Soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil
• Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, rosemary, Dijon
• Chili sauce, lime juice, cilantro, cumin, red pepper flakes

Experiment with your favorite herbs, spices, citrus, vinegars, and oils for flavorful marinated cutlets.

Tips for Perfect Air Fried Beef Cutlets

• Pat cutlets very dry before breading or seasoning for best results
• Use light breadcrumb coating so cutlets cook evenly
• Preheat air fryer fully before adding cutlets
• Don’t overcrowd – cook in batches for even cooking
• Use cooking spray or oil to help breading crisp up
• Cook at 370 ̊F for crispiest crust texture

Serving Suggestions

Beef cutlets are very versatile. Here are some delicious ways to serve them:

• On a hoagie roll with melted provolone for Italian beef sandwiches
• Topped with mushroom gravy or tomato sauce over pasta
• Over salad greens with blue cheese crumbles and vinaigrette
• Alongside roasted potatoes and vegetables for a hearty dinner
• On their own as an appetizer with dipping sauces like ranch or barbecue

However you choose to serve them, air fried beef cutlets make for a quick, flavorful meal or snack the whole family will love.

Making Juicy Beef Cutlets in the Air Fryer

With the right preparation and cooking technique, air fryers can produce delicious beef cutlets with a crispy breaded crust and juicy, flavorful interior. Follow this guide for air frying success.

The combination of light breading and fast, high-heat cooking seals in moisture for tender results. So break out your air fryer and enjoy restaurant-quality beef cutlets in the comfort of your own home!