Air Fryer Porterhouse Steak: A Quick, Easy, Juicy Treat

Cooking steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious, tender, and juicy steak. One of the best steaks to cook in an air fryer is the porterhouse steak, known for its tenderness and robust flavor. This method of cooking lets you make perfect steak with minimal ingredients and without many steps. It is a simple recipe, so you can get delicious, dependable results even if you aren’t an experienced cook.

Bringing the steak to room temperature

Bringing your steak to room temperature before cooking is an important step to ensure your steak is juicy, tender, and cooks evenly. Leaving the steak to rest at room temperature for between 15 and 30 minutes helps the meat fibres to loosen, which will produce a tender cut of meat. It also allows the steak to cook faster and more evenly, as the inside of the steak is not cold when it starts cooking.

However, it is important to not leave the steak at room temperature for longer than two hours, to ensure it is still safe to eat. If you want to kickstart the process of bringing your steak to room temperature, you can take it out of the fridge and leave it on the counter.

You can also pat the steak dry with a paper towel to remove moisture, which will help the steak brown rather than steam. This is especially important if you are cooking a thicker steak, as thinner steaks can cook too quickly and not have the chance to brown.

While your steak is coming to room temperature, you can prepare a dry rub of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, or your own preferred seasoning blend. Dry brining the steak with salt before cooking is another way to help with browning and create a flavorful crust.

Using a meat thermometer

When using an instant-read thermometer, insert it into the thickest part of the steak. This is usually the coolest part of the meat, and you want to ensure you get an accurate reading. Watch the temperature read-out as you push the probe in – the temperature should drop as the probe heads towards the centre of the steak.

If you are using a leave-in thermometer, place it in the thickest part of the meat, close to the bone if the cut has one. The Meater Pro XL is a popular option for a leave-in thermometer, as it comes with four probes, perfect for when you are cooking multiple steaks or other meats at the same time. However, the probes are quite thick, so inserting them into smaller cuts of meat can be challenging.

When cooking a porterhouse steak in an air fryer, you want to ensure the internal temperature reaches your desired level of doneness. For a rare steak, the internal temperature should be 130-135°F, while a medium-rare steak should be 135-145°F. For a medium steak, aim for an internal temperature of 145-150°F, and for a well-done steak, cook until the internal temperature reaches 155-160°F.

Preheating the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is not always necessary, but it can speed up cooking time and make your food crispier. If you want to preheat your air fryer, the first thing to do is to check your air fryer's manual to make sure your model can handle preheating. Different air fryers have different preheating requirements, so it's important to refer to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Some air fryers come with a preheat button, which makes the process easier. In this case, all you need to do is press the button, set the temperature, and enter the cooking time. The air fryer will let you know when it has reached the desired temperature.

If your air fryer does not have a preheat button, you can manually preheat it. Set the temperature to 400 °F (204 °C) and let it heat up for 3 to 5 minutes. This will get the hot air moving before you start cooking. The length of time needed to preheat can vary depending on the temperature you are cooking at and the size of your air fryer. Smaller air fryers will take less time to preheat than larger ones.

If you are using a silicone basket, it should be placed in the air fryer during the preheating process. This is because silicone baskets are lightweight and need the extra weight of the food to be properly secured during cooking.

While your air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your steak. It is recommended to let the steak come to room temperature before cooking, as this will help it cook more evenly and quickly. Take the steak out of the refrigerator and let it rest on the counter for about 15 to 30 minutes. You can also season the steak with salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices during this time.

Seasoning the steak

Seasoning a porterhouse steak before air frying is a crucial step in enhancing its flavour and juiciness. Here is a step-by-step guide to seasoning your steak to perfection:

Step 1: Bring the Steak to Room Temperature

Allow your steak to rest on the counter for around 15 to 45 minutes before seasoning and air frying. This step is important as it ensures the steak cooks more evenly, absorbs seasonings better, and results in a more tender cut of meat.

Step 2: Prepare the Herb Butter (Optional)

For an extra flavour boost, you can make herb butter to use in your seasoning. Combine softened, unsalted butter with garlic, thyme, rosemary, and parsley in a small bowl. You can also add salt and pepper to taste. If you don't have these herbs, you can use a mix of coriander, paprika, onion powder, and oregano instead. Refrigerate this mixture until you're ready to use it.

Step 3: Pat the Steak Dry and Coat with Oil

Use a paper towel to pat both sides of the steak dry. Then, rub olive oil or melted butter generously over the entire surface of the steak. This step helps the seasonings stick to the meat and also enhances its flavour.

Step 4: Season Generously

Now it's time to season your steak! You can use a variety of seasonings, but salt and pepper are considered essential by most sources. Sprinkle salt and pepper generously over both sides of the steak. If you want to add more flavour, you can also use steak seasoning, red pepper flakes, cayenne powder, or your favourite herbs.

Step 5: Let the Steak Rest

Once you've seasoned the steak, let it rest for a few minutes before placing it in the air fryer. This gives the steak time to absorb the flavours of the seasonings.

Remember, when it comes to seasoning, you can adjust the amounts and types of seasonings to suit your taste preferences. Happy cooking!

Cooking time

The cooking time for a porterhouse steak in an air fryer depends on the size of your steak and how well-done you want it. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 400ºF for 5 minutes, although one source recommends 10 minutes for a more intense sear.

If your steak is 1 inch thick, you should air fry it at 400 F for 6 minutes on one side, then flip it over and cook for another 4 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of doneness. You can use a meat thermometer to check that your steak has reached the correct internal temperature. For each additional 1/2 inch of thickness, add about 1 minute to the cooking time.

If you want your steak rare or medium-rare, you will need to remove it from the air fryer sooner. It's important to monitor the internal temperature of the steak to ensure it reaches your desired level of doneness.

Once your steak is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures your steak is juicy and tender.

Frequently asked questions