That sounds like a great meal! Air frying is a fantastic, simple way to cook beef liver and onions.1 The key is to not overcook the liver so it stays tender.2
Here is a straightforward, beginner-friendly step-by-step recipe:
🍽️ Air Fryer Beef Liver and Onions (Beginner-Friendly)
This recipe focuses on minimal ingredients and quick prep.3
📋 Ingredients
1 pound Beef Liver (sliced into 4$\approx$ 1-inch pieces)5
1 medium Onion (sliced or thinly sliced into rings)
1 teaspoon Salt (or to taste)6
$1/2$ teaspoon Black Pepper (or to taste)
$1/2$ teaspoon Garlic Powder (optional, for extra flavor)7
Olive Oil Spray or a drizzle of oil8
💡 Optional Prep Tip (To Reduce Strong Flavor)
Beef liver can have a strong, metallic flavor.9 To minimize this, you can pre-soak it.
Place the sliced liver in a bowl.
Cover the liver with milk (regular or buttermilk) or a mixture of water and lemon juice.10
Let it soak for 20-30 minutes.11
Rinse the liver well under cold water and pat it completely dry with paper towels before starting the recipe.12
Note: This step is optional, but recommended for beginners.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Liver and Onions
Wash and Cut Liver: Rinse the beef liver pieces under cold running water, and pat them very dry with paper towels.13 Cut them into roughly 1-inch bite-sized pieces if they are not already sliced.
Slice Onion: Peel and slice your medium onion into thin rings or strips.14
Combine and Season: In a medium bowl, combine the dried liver pieces and the sliced onions.15
Add the salt, black pepper, and the optional garlic powder.16
Drizzle or spray lightly with olive oil (or your favorite cooking oil).17
Gently mix everything together with your hands or a spoon to ensure the liver and onions are evenly coated with the seasoning and oil.18
Step 2: Load the Air Fryer
Preheat (Optional but Recommended): Preheat your air fryer to $400^\circ\text{F}$ ($200^\circ\text{C}$) for about 3-5 minutes.
Arrange: Place the seasoned liver and onion mixture into the air fryer basket or tray.19
Try to arrange them in a single layer for the best results. You may need to cook in two separate batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
Lightly spray the top of the liver and onions again with oil spray.
Step 3: Air Fry
Initial Cook: Air fry for 6 minutes.
Shake and Flip: Open the air fryer, shake the basket well, or use tongs to flip and stir the liver and onions.20 This helps everything cook evenly.
Final Cook: Cook for another 4 to 6 minutes.
Step 4: Check for Doneness and Serve
Check Temperature: The total cook time is typically around 10–12 minutes.21 Check the liver with an instant-read meat thermometer. It should reach an internal temperature of at least 22$160^\circ\text{F}$ (23$71^\circ\text{C}$) for a safe and slightly pink center, or 24$165^\circ\text{F}$ (25$74^\circ\text{C}$) for well-done.26
Crucial Tip: Stop cooking immediately once it reaches the desired temperature. Overcooked liver becomes tough and chewy very quickly.27
Serve: Transfer the liver and onions to a plate. Serve immediately with your favorite sides, like mashed potatoes or fresh greens.
