Air-Fried Ribeye: A Quick, Juicy Steak Perfection

Cooking steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a juicy, tender, and succulent steak. The air fryer works similarly to a small convection oven by rapidly moving superheated air around the food, creating a crispy exterior. The key to a perfect steak in the air fryer is the internal temperature, which can be monitored using a meat thermometer. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the steak, but a mouth-watering, juicy ribeye can be achieved in under 15 minutes.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in cooking a ribeye steak. While most air fryer recipes don't require preheating, it is necessary when cooking steak to get a nice sear on the outside of the meat. Preheating your air fryer will also ensure even cooking.

To preheat your air fryer, start by setting it to “Broil” or 400°F (200°C). Let the air fryer run for about 3 to 5 minutes with the basket inside. You can then rub avocado oil or olive oil all over your ribeye steaks and season them with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, or any other seasonings you prefer.

It is also important to ensure your steaks are at room temperature before placing them in the air fryer. This ensures more even cooking and better results. Take the steaks out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking and let them sit on the kitchen counter.

Once your air fryer is preheated and your steaks are prepared and at room temperature, you can place the steaks in the air fryer basket and cook to your desired level of doneness.

Season the steak

Seasoning a steak before air frying is a crucial step in the cooking process. It not only enhances the flavour but also helps create a beautiful crust on the steak. Here is a step-by-step guide to seasoning your ribeye steak for air frying:

Choose Your Seasonings:

The beauty of seasoning is that you can keep it as simple or as creative as you like. For a classic steak flavour, a combination of salt, pepper, and garlic powder is a popular choice. Sea salt, in particular, is recommended for that extra punch of savouriness. You can also experiment with other seasonings like oregano, steak seasoning blends, or even a marinade of soy sauce, olive oil, and your choice of seasonings. If you're feeling adventurous, make a compound butter with garlic or herbs to take your steak to the next level.

Prepare the Steak:

Before seasoning, it is essential to bring your steak to room temperature. Take the steak out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking. This step ensures even cooking and helps the steak cook more quickly. Unwrap the steak and pat it dry with a paper towel. You can also brush or coat the steak lightly with olive oil, avocado oil, or even vegetable oil to create a base for the seasonings to adhere to.

Apply the Seasonings:

Mix your chosen dry seasonings together in a small bowl. Generously apply the seasoning mix to both sides of the steak, ensuring that the sides are also coated. You can also try marinating the steak in a resealable bag with oil and seasonings for at least 2 hours or even overnight if you're planning ahead. If you're using a marinade, remember to pat the steak dry before placing it in the air fryer.

Preheat the Air Fryer:

Preheating your air fryer is crucial for getting that desirable sear on the outside of the steak. Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and preheat for about 3-5 minutes. Some recipes recommend using the "BROIL" setting on your air fryer, if available, for that perfect crust.

Now that your steak is seasoned and your air fryer is preheated, you're ready to move on to the cooking stage! Remember to use a meat thermometer to ensure your steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness. Happy cooking!

Air fry the steak

Air-frying a steak might sound odd, but it's an excellent way to cook your steak with minimal fuss and grease. It's also a quick and easy method that rivals a steak cooked on the grill.

To start, take your steaks out of the fridge and let them sit for about 30 minutes to reach room temperature before cooking. Pat the steaks dry with a paper towel and lightly brush each side with extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil. You can also marinate the steaks in the morning before cooking them in the evening. Try a mixture of olive oil, soy sauce, and seasoning, or a combination of vegetable oil, Worcestershire sauce, garlic salt, and black pepper.

Next, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes. It's important to preheat the air fryer to get a nice sear on the outside of the meat. While the air fryer is preheating, season your steaks generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder on both sides. You can also use your favourite steak seasoning or a simple combination of salt and pepper.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the steaks inside and cook for 5-6 minutes per side for medium-rare, flipping halfway through. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steaks. For a thicker steak, you may need to increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes on each side. Use a digital instant-read meat thermometer to ensure your steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness. For a medium-rare steak, the internal temperature should be around 130°F.

When the steak is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavourful steak. For best results, loosely tent the steak with foil during the resting period. Finally, serve your steak with a pat of butter and garnish with fresh herbs like chives or parsley.

Let the steak rest

So, you've got your ribeye, seasoned it, and cooked it to perfection in the air fryer. Now, the hard part: waiting. Letting your steak rest after cooking is an essential part of the cooking process, and it's important to be patient and resist the temptation to dive straight in. Here's why.

Firstly, resting your steak allows the juices to redistribute. When meat is hot, the juices are more liquid, and if you cut into it straight away, those juices will escape, leaving your steak dry and flavourless. By letting it rest, the juices are retained within the steak, resulting in a more tender and juicy cut. This process also helps to cool the outer layers of the meat while the temperature at the centre continues to rise, ensuring your steak is cooked evenly.

Secondly, carryover cooking will continue to increase the internal temperature of your steak by a few degrees even after it has been removed from the heat source. If you want your steak to be medium-rare, for example, and it reaches 130°F in the air fryer, it will continue to cook and increase in temperature by a few degrees while resting. This means that if you cut into it straight away, it will be overcooked. By letting it rest, you ensure your steak is cooked to perfection.

The general rule of thumb is to rest your steak for about 5 minutes for every inch of thickness. For thinner cuts of meat, rest for a minimum of 5-7 minutes, while thicker cuts should rest for 10-20 minutes. If you're unsure, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your steak. For a medium-rare ribeye, you're aiming for an internal temperature of around 130-135°F.

To rest your steak, transfer it to a clean plate or cutting board and loosely tent it with foil to maintain the temperature. It's important to note that cooked meat can only be left out for less than two hours before entering unsafe temperatures, so don't let it rest for too long! Now, the hard part is over. All that's left to do is slice, serve, and enjoy your perfectly cooked ribeye.

Serve with toppings

When it comes to serving your air-fried ribeye, there are several toppings and sides to consider.

Firstly, let's talk about butter. A pat of butter on top of your steak as it rests will add a rich, creamy dimension to the meat. You can use regular butter, vegan butter, or even make a compound butter with herbs, garlic, or other flavourings. This will melt into the steak, enhancing its flavour and juiciness.

Secondly, fresh herbs can provide a bright, savoury contrast to the rich steak. Finely chopped chives or parsley are excellent choices, adding a touch of freshness to the dish.

If you're looking for something a little more indulgent, consider making a steak sauce or jus to serve alongside your ribeye. This can be as simple as reducing some stock and adding herbs and spices, or you could try something more complex with ingredients like red wine, shallots, and butter.

Finally, don't forget about side dishes. Smashed sweet potatoes and Asian garlic noodles are excellent choices to accompany your steak, providing a balance of flavours and textures. Roasted vegetables or a simple side salad can also round out the meal, adding some nutritious variety to your plate.

Remember, the key to a great steak dinner is balancing flavours and textures, so feel free to experiment with different toppings and sides to find your perfect combination.

Frequently asked questions