Air-Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Beef: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Bacon-wrapped beef cooked in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and delicious meal. The air fryer ensures even cooking and a crispy bacon exterior. The combination of juicy steak and crispy bacon creates a mouthwatering flavour explosion. The method is versatile, allowing you to cook the steak to your desired level of doneness, whether that be medium-rare, medium, or well-done.

Bacon-wrapped filet mignon

To make bacon-wrapped filet mignon in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

• Beef tenderloin steaks (filet mignon)
• Thick-cut bacon (pork or beef)
• Cooking spray (preferably avocado oil or butter)
• Salt and pepper, or your preferred steak seasoning
• Fresh herbs (optional)
• Gorgonzola or blue cheese crumbles (optional)

First, cut the tenderloin into four 6 oz. filets. Then, season the steaks with salt and pepper, and any other seasonings you like. You can also add olive oil or garlic powder for extra flavour. Wrap each filet with a strip of bacon, securing it with a toothpick. You can prepare the bacon-wrapped filets ahead of time and keep them refrigerated until you're ready to cook.

Before cooking, let the steaks sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to an hour. Meanwhile, preheat your air fryer to 400-450°F for about 5 minutes.

Once preheated, place the bacon-wrapped filets into the air fryer basket and spray the tops with cooking spray. Cook at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, depending on your desired doneness. For a medium-rare steak, remove it from the air fryer when it reaches 130°F, as the steak will continue to cook as it rests.

If you're adding cheese, top the filets with gorgonzola or blue cheese crumbles and cook for an additional minute. When the desired temperature is reached, remove the steaks from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to settle and redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a juicy and tender steak.

Your bacon-wrapped filet mignon is now ready to be enjoyed! This impressive dish is perfect for a special dinner or occasion, paired with your favourite sides.

Seasoning and spices

First, decide if you want to use a pre-made steak seasoning or create your own blend. Pre-made steak seasonings like Montreal Steak Seasoning or Kinder's Butter Steak House are convenient options that provide a well-rounded flavour profile. These blends typically include coarsely ground pepper, garlic, salt, and other spices, offering a robust and savoury taste.

If you opt for creating your own blend, a classic combination of salt and pepper is a simple yet effective choice. This duo lets the natural beef flavour shine through while adding a savoury punch. You can also include other spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or red pepper flakes to create a more complex blend. These additional spices will contribute depth and warmth to the overall taste.

Another factor to consider is the cooking temperature and its impact on seasoning. When cooking at higher temperatures, such as 400°F, oils like olive oil or avocado oil can be used to coat the steak before applying the seasoning. This helps the seasoning adhere to the meat and ensures even distribution. Avocado oil, in particular, has a high smoke point, making it suitable for high-temperature cooking in the air fryer.

Furthermore, don't be afraid to experiment with different seasonings and spices. For instance, dried thyme and rubbed sage can be excellent additions, providing earthy and aromatic notes to your dish. You can also try incorporating sauces like a Scotch-flavoured mushroom sauce, which includes ingredients such as ginger ale, brown sugar, and soy sauce. These sauces add moisture and a burst of flavour to your bacon-wrapped beef.

Lastly, remember that seasoning is a personal preference, so feel free to adjust the amounts and types of spices used to suit your taste. A well-seasoned steak should have a balanced blend of flavours that enhances the natural taste of the beef without overwhelming it. So, whether you opt for a pre-made seasoning or create your own, always taste and adjust as needed before cooking.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The temperature and timing for cooking bacon-wrapped beef in an air fryer depend on the level of doneness you prefer for your steak. For a medium-rare steak, set your air fryer to 375°F and cook for 10 minutes, or until the steak reaches an internal temperature of 135°F. For a medium steak, cook until the temperature reaches 140°F, and for a medium-well steak, cook to 145°F. If you prefer your steak well-done, increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for 14 minutes, or until the steak reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, so it's always a good idea to use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of your steak. Additionally, preheating your air fryer for about 5 minutes can help achieve a more consistent cooking temperature, especially for thicker cuts of meat.

When cooking bacon-wrapped steak bites, a lower temperature of 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes can be used to partially cook the bacon before wrapping it around the steak. This helps ensure that the bacon will be fully cooked later. The steak bites can then be cooked at a higher temperature of 400°F for about 10 to 12 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness.

For a quick check, you can cook the bacon-wrapped steak at 400°F for 7 minutes and then let it rest outside the air fryer. If you prefer your steak medium-rare, you can cook it for a further 3 minutes on each side. For a medium steak, cook for an additional 5 minutes on each side.

Resting and slicing

Resting the steak is a crucial step in the cooking process. It allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful steak. Depending on the size of your steak, you should let it rest for at least 5 minutes after cooking. During this time, the steak will continue to cook slightly and the internal temperature will rise. This is known as carryover cooking.

While the steak is resting, you can prepare any side dishes that you plan to serve with it. Some classic side dishes that go well with bacon-wrapped steak include mashed potatoes, steamed or roasted vegetables, or a fresh garden salad. If you want to get creative, you can also make a Scotch-flavored mushroom sauce to elevate your dish. The sauce can be made with dried thyme, rubbed sage, baby portobello mushrooms, Scotch (or bourbon), ginger ale, brown sugar, and soy sauce.

When the resting time is complete, it's time to slice the steak. Use a sharp knife to cut the steak into even slices, ensuring clean cuts and a beautiful presentation. The size of the slices can vary depending on your preference, but it's important to cut against the grain of the meat for the best texture.

Finally, serve the steak slices with your chosen side dishes and enjoy! The combination of juicy steak and crispy bacon creates a mouthwatering flavor explosion that is sure to impress your taste buds. Whether you like your steak medium-rare, medium, or well-done, the air fryer allows you to achieve your desired level of doneness with ease.

Sides and sauces

When it comes to sides and sauces for your bacon-wrapped beef cooked in an air fryer, there are several delicious options to choose from.

For sauces, a creamy garlic butter is a tasty choice. To make this, simply melt some butter and stir in minced garlic and dried parsley. You can also add some steak sauce to your garlic butter for extra flavour. Alternatively, a creamy pan sauce can be made by adding garlic and beef broth to the skillet and cooking for a minute, then stirring in cream and cooking for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens, before finishing with a touch of Dijon mustard. A Scotch-flavoured mushroom sauce is another option to elevate your bacon-wrapped beef into a restaurant-quality dish. To make this sauce, combine Scotch, ginger ale, brown sugar, soy sauce, dried thyme, and rubbed sage, along with baby portobello mushrooms. If you don't have Scotch on hand, you can substitute it with bourbon or cognac. Cornstarch can be added as a thickening agent if you prefer a thicker sauce consistency.

As for sides, homemade mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables are a great choice to accompany your bacon-wrapped beef.

Frequently asked questions