Looking for a tasty low-carb snack that fits into a carnivore diet? These easy homemade carnivore chips are made by air-frying thinly sliced beef into deliciously crispy meat crisps.
With only three simple ingredients – beef, black pepper, and smoked salt – you can make a savory high-protein snack in under an hour. Keep reading for the simple carnivore chips recipe and instructions for making these keto-friendly meat crisps in your air fryer.
They make a nutritious alternative to potato chips or other unhealthy snack foods. Let’s get started!
👍 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
So Simple, Yet So Tasty- This recipe has only 3 ingredients, takes just 5 minutes to prep, and then you simply pop it in the air fryer.
Despite the short ingredient list and prep time, the end result is a crispy, salty, peppery chip that will satisfy even the strongest snack craving.
Perfect For Low-Carb Diets– If you’re following a low-carb, keto, paleo, or carnivore diet, these chips check all the boxes. With zero carbs and made purely from beef, they fit seamlessly into such diets.
Inexpensive Snack Option- Making your carnivore chips at home saves money compared to buying pre-made beef jerky or similar meat-based snacks. Cheap, but super tasty!
✨ Recipe Ingredients
To make these meat crisps you will need:
- 1/2 pound (225g)Beef (very thinly sliced)
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Smoked Salt (Use this salt – Amazon link, for best result)
👨🍳 How To Make
Easily make these amazing carnivore crisps at home! Follow these steps:
Step 1
Combine the black pepper and salt in a mixing bowl.
Step 2
Slice the beef very thinly. I recommend using lean cuts, but it’s up to you. Place the slices in a single layer on a plate or cutting board. Sprinkle the seasoning evenly over both sides.
Step 3
Preheat the air fry to 200F (95C). Transfer the slices into an air fryer tray (single layer). Cook in the air fryer for about 55 minutes. Enjoy these tasty and crispy carnivore chips!
💡Tips
1. Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer
Be sure to place the meat slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, without overcrowding. When overcrowded, the meat won’t get as crisp and may steam instead of frying.
Work in batches if needed, rather than stuffing the whole pound of meat into the air fryer at once. Leave a little space between each slice for the air to circulate and crisp up the edges.
2. Choose the Right Cut of Beef
Selecting the right cut of beef is crucial for achieving the perfect carnivore chips. Opt for lean cuts like sirloin, eye of round, or flank steak. The leaner the beef, the crispier your chips will be.
Avoid fatty cuts. Additionally, make sure to slice the beef as thinly as possible, aiming for paper-thin slices. This ensures that the chips cook evenly and become delightfully crispy.
3. Season Generously and Thoughtfully
Incorporating the right seasonings can elevate your carnivore chips to a whole new level of flavor. For this recipe, a simple combination of black pepper and smoked salt is used, which complements the beef’s natural taste beautifully.
When applying the seasoning, make sure to sprinkle it evenly over both sides of the thinly sliced beef. This ensures that every chip is infused with the delicious flavors of pepper and smokiness.
4. Adjust Cook Times as Needed
Cooking times can vary greatly depending on the thickness of the slices, the type of meat, and how crowded the air fryer is. Pay attention and check frequently for doneness.
Thinner slices may take only 30-40 minutes to reach the desired crispiness, while thicker cuts may take up to an hour. Check on the chips every 10-15 minutes and remove any that are browned enough for your taste.
5. Let the Chips Cool Completely
This is an important step that makes all the difference in texture! The chips need to cool and set up to achieve that signature crunch.
After air frying, spread the chips out in a single layer and allow them to come completely to room temperature before serving, about 15-20 minutes. As they cool, they will harden and crispen even more. Enjoy!
Variations
1. Spicy Peppered Beef Chips- For those who enjoy a little kick in their carnivore chips, try this variation. Instead of the regular black pepper, use 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of smoked salt to season the thinly sliced beef.
2. Garlic and Herb Beef Chips- Enhance the flavor of your carnivore chips by adding a touch of garlic and herbs. In a mixing bowl, combine 1/2 teaspoon of dried rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme, and 1/2 teaspoon of smoked salt. Use this mixture to season the thinly sliced beef.
3. Carnivore-friendly Parmesan Beef Chips– For a cheesy twist on carnivore chips that’s still carnivore-friendly, use 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese along with 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of smoked salt to season the beef.
4. Lemon-Pepper Beef Chips– Add a burst of zesty freshness to your carnivore chips by using lemon zest and black pepper. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest with 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of smoked salt.
5. BBQ Seasoned Beef Chips- Transform your carnivore chips into a barbecue delight by using a barbecue seasoning mix. Season the thinly sliced beef with 1/2 teaspoon of your favorite barbecue seasoning and 1/2 teaspoon of smoked salt. Follow the original cooking instructions to create BBQ Seasoned Beef Chips that are smoky, savory, and finger-licking good.
Storage
Allow your carnivore cchips to cool down to room temperature after cooking. Transfer the cooled chips into an airtight container. Make sure the container is clean and completely dry before placing the chips inside.
To prevent the chips from sticking together, consider placing parchment paper or a paper towel between the layers if you need to stack them. This will help maintain their individual crispiness.
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If you liked this easy carnivore crisps recipe, make sure to also check out these recipes on my website:
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use other types of meat for this carnivore chips recipe?
Yes, you can certainly experiment with different meats. While the recipe suggests beef, you can try thinly slicing other meats like pork, chicken, or even turkey to create unique variations of carnivore chips.
2. What if I don’t have an air fryer? Can I make these in the oven?
Yes, you can bake these in the oven instead of using an air fryer. Simply preheat your oven to 225°F (110°C) and arrange the seasoned meat slices in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Bake for around 60-65 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy. Keep an eye on them towards the end to avoid burning.
3. Can I make a larger batch of carnivore chips at once?
Absolutely! You can scale up the recipe by using more meat and seasoning. However, when making a larger batch, make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer tray or oven rack to ensure even cooking. You may need to cook them in multiple batches.
Chips on The Carnivore Diet
The carnivore diet is an eating plan that focuses entirely on animal foods like meat, fish, eggs, and certain dairy products. It excludes all other foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, sugar, and plant-based oils.
One common concern with the carnivore diet is that it can get boring or monotonous after eating only meat and animal foods day after day. That’s where recipes like these meat crisps come in handy!
Carnivore chips provide the perfect high-fat, crispy snack to liven up the carnivore diet. They give you something tasty and satisfying to crunch on, adding some much-needed variety to your meal plan.
These chips are made entirely of thinly sliced beef, seasoned simply with salt and pepper. So they fit perfectly within carnivore diet guidelines – no non-animal ingredients whatsoever.
The air fryer cooking method yields a crispy, chip-like texture without needing any breading or batter. The beef becomes crunchy and delicious, almost like a potato chip but packed with protein and healthy fats instead of carbs.
When cravings strike for something like tortilla chips, crackers, or other forbidden snack foods, these carnivore chips are the perfect substitute. They allow you to stick to the carnivore rules while still enjoying a crispy, salty, chip-like treat.
What’s more, the recipe only uses a few basic ingredients that are likely already carnivore-approved. That means it’s easy to whip up a batch anytime the craving for crunch strikes.
By having crunchy, flavorful carnivore snacks like this on hand, you’re less likely to fall prey to carb-heavy temptations that could knock you off track. You can satisfy cravings and hunger while staying true to the carnivore lifestyle.
So if you’re seeking more variety and excitement in your carnivore diet, be sure to give these easy carnivore chips a try! Their simplicity, tastiness and crispy texture make them a go-to recipe for success on the carnivore plan.
This carnivore chips recipe make for a tasty high-protein snack that fits great into a low-carb or carnivore lifestyle. Be sure to check out more easy carnivore recipes on my website.
Feel free to leave any questions or comments below, and I’ll be happy to respond and provide any tips. I hope you’ll give these crispy beef chips a try soon!
Carnivore Chips
- 1/2 pound Beef (225g) (very thinly sliced)
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Smoked Salt
- Combine the black pepper and salt in a mixing bowl.
- Slice the beef very thinly. I recommend using lean cuts, but it’s up to you.Place the slices in a single layer on a plate or cutting board. Sprinkle the seasoning evenly over both sides
- Preheat the air fry to 200F (95C). Transfer the slices into an air fryer tray (single layer). Cook in the air fryer for about 55 minutes.
