Air Fryer Frozen Steak: Quick, Easy, Delicious

Forgetting to take the steak out of the freezer happens to the best of us. But fear not, because you can cook frozen steak in an air fryer and it will still taste delicious! It's the best way to cook a frozen steak, and it will be just as good as if it were fresh. You can use any type of steak, from ribeye to sirloin, and it will be tender and juicy. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak and how well done you like it, but on average, it will take around 18 minutes. So, go ahead and break out that air fryer and get cooking!

How to season a frozen steak

Yes, you can cook a frozen steak in an air fryer. Here is a guide on how to season a frozen steak:

• Remove the steak from the freezer and take off any packaging.
• Spritz or brush the steak with olive oil or oil of your choice. This will help the seasoning stick to the steak.
• Season the steak. The seasonings you use are up to you, but it is recommended to use sea salt or kosher salt and black pepper as a base. You may want to be a little heavier-handed with the seasoning than you would usually be, especially if you are using salt. Other suggested seasonings include rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, Italian seasoning, and Montreal steak seasoning.
• Place the steak on the rack of your air fryer, ensuring that the seasoned side is facing down.
• Spritz or brush the other side of the steak with oil and season this side liberally.

You can now cook your steak according to your desired level of doneness.

The best cuts of steak for air frying from frozen

Yes, you can cook frozen steak in an air fryer. It's a quick and easy way to cook a delicious steak without the need to plan ahead and defrost.

The best cuts of steak to cook from frozen in an air fryer are ribeye, sirloin, and filet. These cuts are all suitable because they are not too thick and they have a good amount of fat marbling, which adds flavour and results in a juicier piece of meat.

Ribeye steaks are the best option as they have the most fat marbling, but sirloin and filet are also good choices. Just be aware that these cuts are leaner, so you won't get the benefit of fat rendering and basting the meat as it cooks.

You can also cook other cuts like T-bone, skirt steak, or New York strip, but these thicker cuts may require adjustments to the cooking time.

Cooking Instructions

• Brush both sides of the frozen steak with olive oil. This will help keep the steak tender and help the seasonings adhere to the meat.
• Season the steak with salt and pepper, or your preferred seasonings. You can be generous with the seasonings as they won't penetrate the meat as much as they would with a thawed steak.
• Preheat your air fryer to between 360-380°F/190°C for about 5 minutes.
• Place the seasoned steak in the air fryer basket and cook for 13-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of your steak and your desired level of doneness. For a 1-inch thick steak, about 15-18 minutes should be enough for a medium-rare to medium steak.
• Let the steak rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing into it. This will allow the juices to settle, resulting in a juicier steak.

Tips

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. This can block airflow and prevent proper circulation, leading to uneven cooking.
• Flip the steak halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking and a nice sear on both sides.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak and adjust the cooking time as needed.
• For a well-done steak, cook for 14-18 minutes in a preheated air fryer, checking that the internal temperature reaches above 160°F/70°C.

Now you're ready to cook a delicious steak from frozen in your air fryer!

How long to cook a frozen steak in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook a frozen steak in an air fryer. The cooking time will depend on how you like your steak cooked, the thickness of the steak, and whether there is a bone.

For a rare steak, cook for 3-5 minutes on each side and remove immediately. You may not get as much crust as you would like, but any longer and the steak will be overcooked.

For a medium-rare steak, cook for about 5 minutes on each side and let it sit for 2 minutes in the warm air fryer.

For a medium steak, cook for about 5 minutes on each side and let it sit for 5 minutes in the warm air fryer.

For a medium-to-well-done steak, cook for 5-7 minutes on each side and let it sit for 5 minutes in the warm air fryer.

If you want your steak well done, you may need to decrease the temperature to around 350°F to prevent the outside from burning before the inside is cooked.

Remember to let your steak rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to stay in the meat, keeping it tender.

How to cook multiple frozen steaks in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook multiple frozen steaks in an air fryer! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Preparation

Before you start cooking, make sure you have the following:

• Frozen steaks (ribeye, T-bone, sirloin, or filet)
• Olive oil or another cooking oil of your choice
• Salt and pepper, or your preferred seasonings
• An air fryer

If your steaks are frozen together, it is best to separate them before cooking. If you have multiple steaks that were frozen together, you can air fry them all in one piece to thaw, and then separate them.

Cooking

• Preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F/190°C. Some recipes suggest preheating for 5 minutes, while others skip this step.
• Brush or spritz both sides of the frozen steaks with olive oil or another cooking oil.
• Season the steaks with salt and pepper or your preferred seasonings. You can be generous with the seasoning, as it may not penetrate the meat as much as it would with a thawed steak.
• Place the seasoned steaks in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. If your air fryer is not big enough to fit all the steaks at once, you may need to cook them in batches.
• Set the air fryer temperature to 360-400°F/190-200°C and cook for 18-20 minutes for medium-well, flipping the steaks halfway through. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steaks and your desired level of doneness. For a thinner steak, you may need to cook for 10-15 minutes, while a thicker steak may take up to 25 minutes.
• Check the internal temperature of the steaks with a meat thermometer to ensure they are cooked to your desired level of doneness. Here are the recommended internal temperatures for different levels of doneness:

• Rare: 120-130°F/50-54°C
• Medium Rare: 130-135°F/54-57°C
• Medium: 140-145°F/60-63°C
• Medium Well: 150-155°F/65-68°C
• Well Done: 160°F/70°C and above

Once the steaks have reached the desired internal temperature, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and prevents them from drying out.

Tips

• If you are cooking multiple steaks, make sure they fit comfortably next to each other in the air fryer without overcrowding.
• It is best to vacuum seal individual steaks before freezing to ensure the best quality when cooking from frozen.
• The cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of your steaks, as well as your specific air fryer model. Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and adjust the cooking time as needed.
• To prevent overcooking, always underestimate the cooking time, as you can always cook the steaks longer if needed.

How to store and reheat leftover frozen steak from the air fryer

Storing leftover steak in the fridge

When storing leftover steak in the fridge, it's important to retain as much of the natural juices as possible. This helps to maintain the flavour and texture of the meat. Keeping the steak well-sealed will also prevent it from drying out.

• Allow the steak to cool for no longer than two hours for food safety reasons.
• Cut the steak to your desired thickness.
• Seal the steak in an airtight container or plastic zipper bag. You can also wrap it tightly in heavy-duty foil or plastic wrap.
• Place the steak on a shelf in the refrigerator, ensuring that it lies flat with adequate space around it for air circulation. Keep the steak on the bottom shelf to prevent any juices from dripping onto other foods.

While steak can sometimes appear and smell okay for up to a week in the refrigerator, it's generally only safe to eat for about three days. After this period, there is a risk of food poisoning, and the steak's taste and texture may also deteriorate.

Storing leftover steak in the freezer

Freezing is an effective way to prevent bacteria and microorganism growth on leftover steak. It's important to note that freezing can affect the quality of the meat if not done properly.

• Wrap each steak individually in freezer paper, a thick, coated plastic paper that locks in moisture and keeps air out. Alternatively, use a vacuum sealer with freezer-specific wrap to seal in juices and keep air out.
• If you don't have a vacuum sealer, place the wrapped steaks in a zippered plastic freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
• Ensure the steaks are lying flat in the freezer with adequate space for air circulation. Place them on the bottom shelf to prevent juices from dripping onto other foods if the bag is punctured.
• Frozen steak can be stored for up to three months. After this period, the meat may start to dry out and lose its flavour.

Reheating leftover steak in an air fryer

The air fryer is an excellent way to reheat leftover steak without drying it out or overcooking it. Here's how to do it:

• If possible, allow the steak to come to room temperature before reheating, as this will help it cook more quickly and evenly.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350-360°F (180°C).
• Place the steak in the air fryer basket. If you're reheating multiple steaks, ensure they are not crowded in the basket.
• Reheat the steak for 3-5 minutes for thinner cuts or 5-7 minutes for thicker cuts. For well-done steak, you may need to increase the time to 8-10 minutes.
• Check the steak's internal temperature with a meat thermometer. It should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to be safe for consumption, according to the USDA.
• Remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Frequently asked questions