Air-Frying A Strip Steak: Is It Possible?

Cooking steak in an air fryer is a great alternative to grilling or frying. It's faster, easier, and healthier, and you can achieve a crispy outer crust with a tender inside. You can cook a strip steak in an air fryer in under 15 minutes, and it's simple to do. First, you need to preheat the air fryer to 400°F or 200°C. Then, season the steak with salt, pepper, and any other spices or marinades you like. Place the steak in the air fryer and cook for around 10 minutes for a medium-rare steak, or adjust the time according to your desired level of doneness.

Pre-cooking preparation

Preparing a strip steak to be cooked in an air fryer is a simple process. Firstly, remove the steak from its packaging and bring it to room temperature. Steaks should be left to rest for at least 30 minutes, and up to an hour, before cooking. This is an important step as it will ensure your steak cooks evenly.

Next, pat the steak dry with a paper towel. This will help the steak to develop a crispy outer crust while cooking. After patting the steak dry, brush both sides with oil. You can use a cooking spray, avocado oil, or olive oil.

Now it's time to season the steak. At a minimum, you should use salt and pepper on both sides. You can also add other seasonings, like minced onion, garlic herb butter, or steak seasoning. If you want to marinate your steak, you can do so now. A simple marinade of oil, salt, and pepper will work, or you can get creative with ingredients like garlic, red pepper flakes, or smoked paprika.

Finally, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, or 200 degrees Celsius. If your air fryer doesn't reach 400 degrees, don't worry—you can cook your steak at a lower temperature, you'll just need to adjust the cooking time.

Cooking temperature and time

The cooking temperature and time for a strip steak in an air fryer depend on how well you want the steak to be cooked.

For a medium-rare steak, set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 10 minutes, flipping the steak halfway through. The internal temperature of the steak should be 130°F. For a well-done steak, cook for 8 minutes on one side, then turn and cook for another 7 minutes. The internal temperature for a well-done steak should be 160°F.

If your air fryer does not reach 400°F, you can cook the steak at 350°F for 8 minutes, then flip and cook for another 4-6 minutes. You can also cook at 420°F for about 7 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3-5 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your steak. A 1 1/2-inch steak cooked at 400°F for 15 minutes will be medium-rare. Adjust the time accordingly if your steak is thicker or thinner, or if you prefer it more or less cooked.

Additionally, it is recommended to bring the steak to room temperature before cooking, which can take anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes. This step is optional, as some sources claim it is a myth that steaks need to reach room temperature.

Seasoning and marinating

Firstly, remove the steak from the refrigerator and let it rest for at least 30 minutes to an hour before cooking. This is an important step as it allows the steak to come to room temperature and ensures even cooking.

When it comes to seasoning, you can use a variety of ingredients to enhance the flavour of your steak. The most basic seasoning includes salt and pepper, which you can generously sprinkle on both sides of the steak. You can use kosher salt or regular table salt, depending on your preference. Black pepper is a popular choice, but you can also use other types of pepper, such as red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper, for a smoky flavour.

In addition to salt and pepper, you can experiment with other seasonings. Some popular options include garlic herb butter, minced onion, steak seasoning blends, or a steak rub from your local grocery store. You can also add a pinch of sugar to balance the salty flavours and promote caramelization. If you want a more intense flavour, you can marinate the steak in a dressing or marinade of your choice. This step is entirely customizable, so feel free to use your favourite seasonings or experiment with new combinations.

Before seasoning, it is important to pat the steak dry with paper towels. This helps to remove any excess moisture and ensures that the steak will crisp up nicely in the air fryer. After seasoning, you can spray the steak with cooking oil or cooking spray on both sides. This will help to create a crispy, golden-brown exterior while keeping the inside juicy and tender.

Remember, the key to successful seasoning is to ensure that the seasonings are evenly distributed across the entire surface of the steak. This will ensure that every bite is packed with flavour.

Reheating

First, it's important to store your steak correctly. Place it in a shallow airtight container or plastic zipper bag in the refrigerator, and consume it within three to four days to avoid bacteria growth. If possible, refrigerate your steak in its natural juices, or use broth, steak sauce, thin gravy, butter, or oil when reheating to prevent it from drying out.

When you're ready to reheat your steak, preheat your air fryer to 350°F. If your steak is particularly thick, you may want to set the temperature slightly lower to avoid overcooking the outside before the inside is warmed. Place the steak in the air fryer basket and cook for 3-5 minutes, checking every couple of minutes to ensure it doesn't overcook. A very thick steak may take an additional 1-2 minutes. The steak is done when it's warmed through and can be checked with a meat thermometer.

Remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This will ensure it's the perfect temperature throughout and give the juices a chance to redistribute.

If you're in a hurry, you can also reheat steak in the microwave, but this method comes with a higher risk of drying out your steak. If you do choose to microwave your steak, place it in a sealable plastic bag with a small amount of butter and cook for 20-35 seconds.

Side dishes

While a juicy strip steak is the main event, a well-chosen side dish can really round out the meal. The beauty of cooking with an air fryer is that you can cook both the main course and the side dish in the same appliance, freeing up oven space.

Simple vegetable side dishes are a great option. Green beans, asparagus, and potatoes are all solid choices to accompany a steak. If you're looking for something a little more indulgent, you could try making potato wedges, sweet potato fries, or even air-fryer garlic bread.

If you're looking for something a little more adventurous, you could try air-frying some broccoli, seasoning it with olive oil and lemon pepper. For a healthier option, you could make kale chips, seasoned with a dash of cayenne pepper for some extra zip.

For a heartier side, you could try making Hasselback potatoes with garlic butter and Parmesan cheese, or Boursin mashed potatoes.

And, of course, you can't go wrong with a simple salad. A butter lettuce salad would pair nicely with a strip steak.

Frequently asked questions