Air fryer liver and onions recipe is a complex and delicious meal. The meat is slightly crispy and perfectly tender. It pairs well with the sweetness of the sauteed onions. If you are new to cooking beef liver, this is the perfect recipe to try. It's super easy to make in under 20 minutes for a healthy lunch or dinner.
How to cook beef liver in air fryer
Get a nice good quality beef liver. I mentioned later in the post where to buy it. Rinse beef livers with cold running water and slice in about 2 inch pieces.
Thinly slice onions and add to the air fryer. Top with liver pieces and add a little bit of oil. I used olive oil spray but you can use regular oil. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder and give it a gentle stir.
Cook in beef liver in air fryer for 12 minutes. Top with chopped cilantro and its ready to be served as is, over rice or mashed potatoes.
Why eat beef livers
Many people either love liver or hate it, because of its rich strong flavors and unusual texture. However, liver is a highly nutrient-dense meat, packed with many vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, and B, copper, and iron.
Incorporating organ meats into your diet is a great 'nose-to-tail' way of eating that is popular in many cultures and helps us to benefit from the whole animal.
Organ meats are also very economical because they are very inexpensive compared to other cuts of meat and are accessible to most people. Try to buy high-quality livers for the best nutritional quality. Look for it in the refrigerator section of your local grocery store or ask your butcher.
Why the air fryer
There are many different ways of preparing beef liver and a favorite is to air fry it. You could also pan fry it or bake it. Since we are using the air fryer, this is an easy and mess-free dinner that's ready in under 20 minutes, start to finish.
Air frying is also great because you are getting that deep-fried texture without the excess oil. This recipe uses a little bit of cooking oil spray to keep the meat from sticking to the air fryer basket, but that's it!
Is beef liver and onions good for you
Yes, liver contains many of the daily recommended vitamins and minerals, such as the B vitamins, vitamin A, copper, zinc, folate, and iron. Organ meats are known to contain greater amounts of nutrients in a single serving than a comparable amount of grass-fed beef, pastured raised pork, or eggs.
The sauteed onions are also full of nutrients and their sweetness helps to cut through the metallic taste of the liver, making it the perfect complement.
Even though liver is highly nutritious, it is recommended to only consume it on a weekly basis.
Can liver be cooked in an air fryer
Absolutely! Beef liver can easily be cooked in the air fryer. It is a quick and mess-free way to cook this nutritious meat. You can cook the beef liver at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 minutes. The meat is ready in no time so make sure you don't overcook it otherwise it can become tough and chewy.
Each air fryer cooks at different rates, so make sure to check on your liver after a few minutes.
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Before eating, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should be at least 165 degrees F. Depending on the size of your liver pieces the cooking time can vary a bit, so using a thermometer can help make sure your liver is fully cooked.
Why do you soak liver in milk before cooking
You can soak your liver in milk before cooking to help cut down on the metallic or iron taste. Lemon juice can also be used to help reduce the strong flavors. You would soak the livers in regular milk or buttermilk for 20 minutes to an hour, then rinse and dry the liver before cooking.
This is a popular tip, so try it if you like, but if you don't want to do this it's not necessary!
Do you need to wash liver before cooking
Yes, any meat you prepare should be rinsed and dried before cooking. The same goes for organ meats! All you need to do is to rinse the meat in cold water before cutting it up into pieces.
You can also use this time to remove any visible veins or membranes because this can cause the meat to be tough and chewy.
Where to buy liver
Beef liver is usually sold in many grocery stores. Walmart has it in a freezer isle and in the refrigerators next to beef tongue and beef cheeks. Your local butcher also will be able to sell you fresh cows liver in quantity you prefer.
If you got a pork or lamb liver, you can totally make this recipe. Just follow instructions in the recipe card and enjoy your meal. Chicken liver can be used as well but you need to remember that it will be cooked much faster. If you will be air frying it for the same amount of time as beef liver, it will completely dry out. Don't slice livers since they are already so small. Cut the cooking time to about 7-10 minutes and check the internal temperature. When it the thermometer shows 165 degrees it is safe to eat.
Expert tips
- Use an air fryer liner if you have it. It will help you reduce cleaning time after the dish is done. It also will prevent onions from falling on the bottom of the air fryer.
- Do not overcook. Its important not to overcook beef liver otherwise it will become tough, chewy and very dry.
- If not sure if the liver is done, use instant meat thermometer. Stick in the liver piece. It should read at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit when liver is done and cooked all the way through.
- No need to soak liver in milk. It may remove an iron taste though. Up to you!
- Wash liver well before cooking.
Leftovers
I usually store air fried beef liver leftovers in the fridge for up to 6 days. Don't freeze because when you will thaw cooked livers, they will be completely dry. You still will be able to use them in this liver pate recipe (highly rated!)
More air fryer recipes
- Air fryer scrapple
- Frozen beyond burger in air fryer
- Air fryer frozen Italian sausage
- Trader Joe’s fish nuggets in air fryer
I also have a bunch of liver recipes on my blog too. Check it out:
Hope you will like this air fryer liver recipe, please rate if you made the recipe and leave a comment below if you ave any questions or suggestions.
Air fryer liver and onions
Air fryer liver and onions recipe is a complex and delicious meal. The meat is slightly crispy and perfectly tender. It pairs well with the sweetness of the sauteed onions. If you are new to cooking beef liver, this is the perfect recipe to try. It's super easy to make in under 20 minutes for a healthy lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef liver
- ½ onion, sliced
- olive oil spray
- 1 teaspoon salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Wash beef liver with cold water. Chop in about 1 inch pieces.
- Slice onions and add to air fryer. Add liver and season with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Spray some olive oil. Gently mix.
- Cook at 400 degrees for 12 minutes.
- Serve with chopped cilantro or chopped green onions on top.
Notes
- Use an air fryer liner if you have it. It will help you reduce cleaning time after the dish is done. It also will prevent onions from falling on the bottom of the air fryer.
- Do not overcook. Its important not to overcook beef liver otherwise it will become tough, chewy and very dry.
- If not sure if the liver is done, use instant meat thermometer. Stick in the liver piece. It should read at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit when liver is done and cooked all the way through.
- No need to soak liver in milk. It may remove an iron taste though. Up to you!
- Wash liver well before cooking.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 3 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 337Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 599mgSodium: 825mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 44g
Christy
This cooks the liver too long unless you have a thick piece. Better to fry in some bacn grease on the stove until the level of doneness you want. May need to cook the onions first to soften them up and add the liver later - like a stirfry
Dave Lang
Who says you should wash and rinse meat before cooking? That is an old wives tale. Another thing, all meat has germs. The germs are destroyed by proper cooking. Rinsing meat just spreads germs around your kitchen. There is NO NEED TO WASH MEAT.
Tatiana
thanks for your opinion. may i ask, where do you wash your knife and cutting board after? must be in the sink, doesn't it spread germs around too? Same thing.
Deb
Dave Lang is quite correct. Studies have been to ascertain the answer to the question of 'to wash or not to wash meats'. The overwhelming answer is DO NOT WASH MEATS. Washing meats create excessive splashing and dripping, which is why dangerous bacteria is spread around your kitchen. A certain amount of bacteria spreading is inevitable, but washing a knife will cause far less splashing and dripping then washing meats.
The second reason to not wash meat is that it does nothing to decrease bacteria on the meat. The bacteria has spread deep into the meat and washing will not even decrease it, let alone eliminate it. So it's a waste of time.