Air Fryer Steak Tips: Can You Do It?

Cooking steak in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and mess-free way to prepare a delicious meal. Air fryers use a combination of a heating element and a fan to circulate hot air, resulting in faster and more even cooking. Steak tips, cubed beef cut from the tender and lean sirloin, can be cooked in an air fryer in under 10 minutes for a juicy, tender, and flavourful dish. The high heat and circulating hot air of the air fryer create a crispy crust without overcooking the inside, making it a convenient alternative to grilling or pan-searing.

Steak tips are best cooked in an air fryer for 4-7 minutes

Steak tips are an affordable cut of meat that, when prepared correctly, can be juicy and tender. They are cubed beef cuts from the sirloin, which is the part of the cow just under the ribs and in front of the hip.

Cooking steak tips in an air fryer gives amazing results. The air fryer uses high heat and a fan to circulate the heat, so the outsides get a crispy crust without overcooking the inside. The results are flavorful and super tender.

To cook steak tips in an air fryer, start by cubing the steak into 1-inch bites. Trim any large pieces of fat and discard. Then, toss the steak cubes with olive oil and spices so they are evenly coated. You can use garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, or keep it simple with just salt and pepper.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C for 5 minutes. Place the steak pieces in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they are not touching or overlapping so that the hot air can circulate.

Air fry your steak tips for 4-7 minutes at 400°F. If you like your steak medium-rare, cook for 4-5 minutes. For medium-well, cook for 7-8 minutes. You can flip the steak bites halfway through cooking to get a good browning on both sides, but this is optional as the air fryer will cook them evenly without flipping.

Once the steak tips are cooked to your desired doneness, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. You can melt some butter and mix it with garlic and parsley to make a garlic butter sauce to pour over the steak tips for extra flavor.

Your juicy and tender steak tips cooked in an air fryer are now ready to be enjoyed!

Coat the steak tips with olive oil and spices for extra flavour

Cooking steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious meal for the whole family. Air fryers use high heat and a fan that circulates the heat, ensuring the outside gets crispy without overcooking the inside.

To get the most flavour out of your steak tips, coat them with olive oil and spices. Start by cubing the steak into 1-inch bites. You can use any cut of steak, but sirloin is a good option as it is leaner and more tender than chuck. If you are using sirloin, try to remove any hard fat and cut the meat into bite-sized pieces.

Once you have prepared your steak, drizzle or brush the olive oil over the steak bites, making sure they are evenly coated. You can also use canola oil or avocado oil if you don't have olive oil. Then, sprinkle your desired spices over the steak. A simple combination of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper works well. You can also try Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or steak seasoning. If you want to add extra flavour, try marinating the steak in a slurry of baking soda and water, a technique known as velveting.

After coating the steak tips with olive oil and spices, you are ready to cook them in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C for about five minutes. Place the steak bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded or overlapping. Depending on your desired doneness, cook the steak bites for 4-7 minutes for medium-rare, or 7-8 minutes for medium-well. If you prefer your steak well done, you may need to cook it for a little longer.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F/200°C for 5 minutes

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in the cooking process. By preheating, you ensure that your steak tips—or any other food—are cooked evenly and efficiently, achieving that desirable grill-like browning and sear.

To preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C, simply press the power button and set the temperature. Depending on the make and model of your air fryer, it can take anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes to preheat. Smaller air fryers tend to preheat faster, often reaching the desired temperature in 2 to 3 minutes, while larger air fryers may require a full 4 to 5 minutes.

It's important to note that some air fryers may not require preheating and can be used immediately after setting the temperature. However, preheating can make a significant difference in the final result, especially when cooking foods that need a good sear, like steak tips.

When preheating your air fryer to 400°F/200°C, allow it to run for at least 3 to 5 minutes. This duration ensures that the hot air starts circulating and the basket gets sufficiently hot before you introduce your steak tips. Remember to refer to your air fryer's manual for specific instructions and to confirm that your model can handle preheating.

Once your air fryer has preheated, you can proceed to cook your steak tips. Place the steak pieces in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap to allow hot air to circulate. Depending on your desired doneness, cook the steak tips for 4 to 7 minutes for medium-rare and up to 8 minutes for medium-well.

Don't overcrowd the basket—cook in batches if needed

When cooking steak tips in an air fryer, it is important to not overcrowd the basket. This is because the hot air needs room to circulate to cook the steak tips properly. If the basket is overcrowded, the steak tips may not cook evenly, resulting in some pieces being overcooked or undercooked.

To ensure proper air circulation, place the steak tips in a single layer in the basket, making sure they are not touching or overlapping. If you have a small air fryer or are cooking a large batch of steak tips, you may need to cook in batches.

Cooking in batches will also help ensure that the steak tips are not overcooked. When the air fryer is overcrowded, the steak tips can end up steaming instead of frying, leading to soggy or unevenly cooked results.

By cooking in batches, you allow each piece of steak to have direct contact with the hot air, resulting in a crispy and charred outer layer while remaining tender and juicy on the inside.

Additionally, cooking in batches can help prevent the steak tips from sticking together. When the basket is overcrowded, the steak tips may not have enough space to move around, causing them to stick together and potentially tear when separated.

Serve with sides like roasted vegetables, potatoes, or French fries

Steak tips are cubed beef cuts from sirloin, the part of the cow just under the ribs and in front of the hip. They are perfect for cooking in an air fryer, as the high heat and fan that circulates the heat create a crispy crust without overcooking the inside.

When it comes to serving, there are plenty of side options to choose from. Roasted vegetables are a great choice, such as roasted green beans, asparagus, or roasted Broccolini. You can also add some chopped green veggies to the air fryer for the last 3-4 minutes of cooking to give them a nice charred flavor. If you're looking for something more indulgent, why not try some potatoes? Boursin mashed potatoes, roasted baby potatoes, or even twice-baked potatoes would all be delicious options. For a healthier option, you could also try making sweet potato fries in the air fryer with a sprinkle of smoked paprika, Cajun, or BBQ seasoning.

If you're craving something more filling, French fries or a classic Caesar salad would also pair well with the steak tips. Or, if you're feeling creative, you could even make a pasta salad or a steak salad with cold steak tips.

Frequently asked questions