Air Fryer For Steak: Finishing Touches Done Right

Air fryers are a great alternative to grilling or pan-searing steak, as they can cook the meat quickly and easily with minimal cleanup. Cooking steak in an air fryer can yield a juicy, tender, and well-seared cut of meat. While some cuts of steak may be better suited for the air fryer than others, the appliance's small, well-circulated space means that it can cook steak perfectly every time.

How to get a good sear on your steak

A good sear on your steak is all about getting that crispy, brown crust on the outside, while keeping the inside juicy. Here are the steps to achieve that perfect sear using an air fryer:

Choose the Right Steak

Select a steak that is at least 1 inch thick. Thinner steaks will cook too quickly and won't have the chance to develop a nice sear. You can use any type of steak you like, such as ribeye, sirloin, New York strip, or T-bone.

Prepare the Steak

Take the steak out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking. This is an important step for even cooking. Pat the steak dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture, which can prevent browning. Then, rub a little olive oil on both sides of the steak, which will help with the browning process.

Season the Steak

Sprinkle both sides of the steak generously with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or Italian seasoning to enhance the flavour.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, let it run at 400°F for about 5 minutes before adding the steak.

Cook the Steak

Place the steak in the air fryer basket, making sure there is enough airflow around it. Cook for about 10 minutes for a medium/medium-rare steak, flipping the steak halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak and your desired doneness.

Rest and Serve

Remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and tender steak.

Tips for a Better Sear

• Use an air fryer with a rack: A rack allows you to position the steak closer to the heating element, resulting in a better sear.
• Create distance from the heating element: While you want the steak close to the heating element, leave at least an inch of airspace to prevent any combustion.
• Expect smoke: Cooking steak close to the heating element will create smoke, so make sure to turn on your hood fan or cook outdoors.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer: Give the steak enough space to ensure proper airflow and even cooking.
• Use a meat thermometer: To ensure your steak is cooked to your desired doneness, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.

The best cut of steak for an air fryer

Air fryers are a great alternative to grilling or pan-searing your steak, as they require minimal prep, less cleanup, and produce a juicy, tender cut of meat.

When it comes to choosing the best cut of steak for an air fryer, you have multiple options. Here are some of the best options:

• Sirloin
• New York Strip
• Ribeye
• T-bone
• Top Sirloin
• Filet Mignon
• Porterhouse

When selecting a steak for the air fryer, it is best to opt for cuts that are at least one inch thick. Thinner steaks tend to cook too quickly and may become chewy. A thicker steak will require a longer cooking time, but it will result in a more evenly cooked and tender cut of meat.

Additionally, it is recommended to let your steaks reach room temperature about 30 minutes before cooking. This helps ensure more even cooking and better browning.

Now, let's delve into each of the recommended cuts in more detail:

Sirloin is a versatile option that can be used in various dishes. It has a good balance of marbling, which gives it a robust flavour, and it is also relatively lean. Sirloin is divided into two types: top sirloin, which is more tender, and bottom sirloin, which is larger, leaner, and slightly tougher.

New York Strip, also known as strip steak, is a favourite among connoisseurs due to its beautiful texture and rich, beefy flavour. It has a smooth texture and a deep red colour, and the fat marbling adds to its tenderness and flavour.

Ribeye, also known as "the beauty steak," is one of the most popular cuts among beef lovers. It comes from the longissimus dorsi muscle and has a smooth texture and gorgeous marbling. Ribeye can be cooked with or without the bone, but cooking it with the bone adds more moisture and flavour.

T-bone is a classic cut that offers the best of both worlds. It consists of the top loin, also known as the New York strip, and the tenderloin. The top loin contains more marbled fat, giving it a robust flavour, while the tenderloin is leaner and more tender.

Top Sirloin, as mentioned earlier, is a type of sirloin that is more tender and has a more delicate texture. It is an excellent choice for air frying, especially when paired with a delicious rub or marinade.

Filet Mignon is a beloved cut that comes from the loin primal section of the cow. It is known for its extremely lean and tender characteristics due to its source being connective tissue. This cut is perfect for the air fryer as its soft texture and mild flavour allow you to experiment with different rubs, marinades, butters, and sauces.

Porterhouse is a substantial cut of meat that comes from the short loin portion of the cow, beneath its backbone. It combines the top loin and the tenderloin, giving you a variety of textures and flavours in one steak.

So, the next time you're at the butcher's or grocery store, keep these cuts in mind for your air fryer steak dinner!

How long to cook steak in an air fryer

The length of time it takes to cook steak in an air fryer depends on the thickness of the steak and how well you want it cooked.

Rare steak

For a rare steak, cook at 400°F for 5 minutes without flipping.

Medium-rare steak

For a medium-rare steak, cook at 400°F for 7 minutes without flipping. For a 1-inch steak, you can also cook at 400°F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway.

Medium steak

For a medium steak, cook at 400°F for 9 minutes without flipping. For a 1-inch steak, you can also cook at 400°F for 12 minutes, flipping halfway.

Medium-well steak

For a medium-well steak, cook at 400°F for 11 minutes without flipping. For a 1-inch steak, you can also cook at 400°F for 15 minutes, flipping halfway.

Well-done steak

Well-done steaks take a good 12 to 15 minutes.

General tips

• For thicker steaks, increase the cooking time accordingly.
• For thinner steaks, start checking from 4 minutes to ensure you do not overcook your steak.
• Always rest your steak for at least 10 minutes after cooking.

What to serve with air fryer steak

There are several options for what to serve with air fryer steak. Here are some ideas:

Salad

A salad can be a great side dish to accompany your steak. Try a Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad for a tasty and healthy option.

Vegetables

Vegetables are always a good choice to serve with steak. Some options include sautéed mushrooms, roasted asparagus, or grilled Brussels sprouts.

Potatoes

Steak and potatoes are a classic combination. You can try baked potatoes, smashed potatoes, mashed potatoes, or even crispy roast potatoes or French fries.

Risotto

For a more indulgent side dish, try a mushroom or beet risotto.

Other options

You could also serve your air fryer steak with other simple vegetable side dishes, such as green beans, or cover it in a creamy sauce, like alfredo or cheese sauce.

Tips and variations for perfect steak

Steak type

While you can use any thick steak you like, a leaner sirloin is recommended. Other good options are New York strip, ribeye, t-bone, top sirloin, and filet mignon.

Thickness

Steaks that are at least one inch thick are recommended. Thinner steaks cook too fast and don't get a chance to brown.

Temperature

Let your steaks reach room temperature 30 minutes before cooking for the best results.

Dry steaks

Pat steaks with paper towels to remove moisture, which will steam them rather than brown.

Browning

Steaks will brown better when spritzed with a little oil.

Dry rub

Adding a dry rub of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to leaner steaks helps with overall colour.

Basket spacing

Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. The steaks should have enough airflow for optimal browning.

Resting

Remove the steaks and let them rest on a plate, loosely tented with foil so they don’t continue cooking in the air fryer basket.

Cooking time

Cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steaks and your desired level of doneness. For a 1-inch-thick steak, cook for 10 minutes and flip halfway for medium-rare, or 12 minutes for medium. For thicker or thinner steaks, adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Temperature

Use a meat probe to test your steaks and take them out five degrees before your desired doneness, as the meat temperature will increase as it rests.

Frequently asked questions