Air-Fried Ribeye Steak: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Yes, you can cook ribeye steak in an air fryer! It's a quick and easy way to get a delicious, juicy, and tender steak. The air fryer works similarly to a small convection oven by rapidly moving superheated air around the food, helping to create a crispy exterior. The key to getting it right is the internal temperature, which can be monitored with a meat thermometer. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the steak and your desired level of doneness. Before cooking, the steak should be brought to room temperature, patted dry, and seasoned.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3-5 minutes

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in cooking your ribeye steak. While it may not be necessary for most air fryer recipes, preheating is a must when cooking steak to get that nice sear on the outside of the meat. Set your air fryer to 400°F and let it preheat for 3-5 minutes.

During this time, you can season your steak. Take it out of the fridge 30 minutes in advance and let it come to room temperature. This is another important step as it ensures even cooking. You can pat the steak dry and season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also use other seasonings or a marinade of your choice.

Once your air fryer has preheated, spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil or another cooking oil spray to prevent the steak from sticking. You can also add about a tablespoon of water to the bottom of the air fryer pan to prevent smoking during cooking. Now you're ready to place your steak in the air fryer and start cooking!

Season the steak with salt, pepper, and garlic powder

Seasoning your steak is a crucial step in the cooking process, and it's important to use the right ingredients and techniques to get the perfect flavour. When seasoning your rib-eye steak with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, follow these steps for the best results.

Firstly, it's important to bring your steak to room temperature before seasoning. Take the steak out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you plan to cook it. This step is important because it ensures even cooking and helps the steak cook more quickly. It's also crucial to pat the steak dry with a paper towel before seasoning it. This step removes any excess moisture, which can affect the cooking process and the overall texture of the steak.

Once your steak is at room temperature and patted dry, it's time to apply the seasoning. Combine salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a small bowl and mix well. When it comes to salt, opt for a coarse salt like kosher salt. For the pepper, use a coarse grind as well. The combination of these two ingredients will give your steak a nice texture and flavour. Generously apply the seasoning mix to both sides of the steak. Make sure to coat the entire surface evenly, ensuring that the seasoning penetrates the meat.

After seasoning, you can add a light coating of olive oil or avocado oil spray to the steak. This step is optional but can help the seasoning stick to the meat and enhance the flavour. It's now ready to be placed in the air fryer! Remember to preheat your air fryer to get that nice sear on the outside of the meat.

Feel free to experiment with additional seasonings to suit your taste preferences. Some people like to add onion powder, paprika, oregano, or even a small amount of brown sugar to their steak seasoning blend. However, remember that when it comes to steak, sometimes less is more, and you don't want to overpower the natural flavour of the meat.

Air fry for 5-8 minutes per side for medium-rare

To cook a rib-eye steak in an air fryer, you should first preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for at least 3 to 5 minutes. You can add about 1 tablespoon of water to the bottom of the air fryer pan to prevent it from smoking during cooking.

Next, season both sides of the steak with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add other seasonings like vegetable oil, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic salt. Place the steak in the air fryer basket and air fry for 5–8 minutes per side for medium-rare, flipping the steak halfway through. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the steak and your desired level of doneness. For a thicker steak, you may need to increase the cooking time by 1–2 minutes on each side.

To ensure your steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. For a medium-rare steak, remove the steak from the air fryer when the internal temperature reaches 130–135°F. Let the steak rest for 5–8 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and the internal temperature to rise a few degrees.

Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before serving

So, you've marinated your rib-eye steak, seasoned it, and cooked it to perfection in your air fryer. But before you serve it, there's one final step: letting the steak rest. This is a crucial step that ensures your steak is juicy and flavourful.

Resting the steak allows the internal juices to redistribute throughout the meat. When a steak is cooked, the heat causes the muscle fibres and cells to constrict, squeezing the juices towards the centre of the steak. If you cut into the steak immediately, these juices will spill out onto your plate. However, if you let the steak rest for a few minutes, the cells will relax, and the juices will migrate back and redistribute throughout the steak. This is why a steak that has been allowed to rest is less dry and more flavourful.

The general rule of thumb is to let the steak rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This timing applies to most steaks, including rib-eye steaks cooked in an air fryer. During this resting period, the steak will remain hot, and the juices will have time to settle, resulting in a more tender and juicy bite.

To rest your steak properly, transfer it from the air fryer basket to a cutting board or serving platter. Loosely tent the steak with a piece of aluminium foil to keep it warm and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This resting time gives you the perfect opportunity to prepare any sides, set the table, or simply relax with a refreshing beverage.

Remember, the goal is to give the steak time to rest so that the juices can redistribute, ensuring a juicy and flavourful dining experience. So, be patient, let the steak rest, and then enjoy the fruits of your labour!

Top with butter and fresh parsley

Topping your steak with butter and fresh parsley is the perfect way to finish your ribeye. The butter adds a juicy, savoury flavour to the meat, and the parsley brings a fresh, herbal taste. You can use regular butter or, for a dairy-free option, vegan butter.

If you want to elevate your butter, you can make a compound butter. This is a great way to add even more flavour to your steak. To make a compound butter, simply combine your butter with other ingredients. You could try roasted garlic, or herbs such as parsley or chives. You can then spread this over your steak, or add it to the air fryer for the last minute of cooking so it melts into the meat.

If you want to keep things simple, just add a pat of butter to the top of your steak while it rests after cooking. This will melt into the meat, adding a rich, creamy flavour. You can also garnish with parsley for that extra touch.

Frequently asked questions