Emilie Meyer
Yes, you can cook steak from frozen in an air fryer. It's a quick and easy way to cook a delicious steak with minimal prep time and fuss. You can use any cut of steak, although ribeye is a popular choice due to its fat marbling, which keeps the meat tender and juicy. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak and how well done you like it, but generally, it will take around 20 minutes to cook a frozen steak in an air fryer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Convenience | No need to plan ahead or defrost the steak |
| Taste | Delicious, juicy, and tender |
| Timing | 10-22 minutes, depending on the desired level of doneness |
| Temperature | 380°F/190°C to 400°F/200°C |
| Preheating | Not necessary, but recommended for a good sear |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, and oil are essential; other seasonings may be added |
| Thickness | Adjust cooking time based on thickness; thinner steaks require less time |
| Doneness | Rare to medium-rare requires less time than medium-well to well-done |
| Meat Cuts | Ribeye, sirloin, flank steak, flat iron steak, and filet mignon are suitable |
| Sides | Baked potatoes, air fryer broccoli, or a salad |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer or not?
Preheating the air fryer is a debated topic. Some sources suggest preheating the air fryer to 380°F/190°C for 5 minutes. They argue that placing the steak in a preheated air fryer will help the steak cook evenly.
On the other hand, some sources suggest skipping the preheat step. They argue that since the steak is frozen, it will take longer to cook anyway, so there is no need to preheat the air fryer. Additionally, starting with a cold air fryer can help prevent grey bands from forming just under the crust. This happens when the outer part of the meat overcooks before the inside gets to the desired temperature.
If you are reheating leftover steak in the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 350°F and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until warmed through.
Ultimately, the decision to preheat the air fryer or not is up to personal preference.
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How long to cook for?
The cooking time for your steak will depend on the thickness of the steak, the desired level of doneness, and the temperature of the air fryer.
For a 1-inch thick steak cooked at 380°F/190°C, cook for 13-16 minutes for a medium-rare steak. For a thinner steak, start with 2+2 or 3+3 minutes, and for a thicker steak, start with 4+4 minutes. Then, add 1-2 minutes at a time, flipping the steak halfway through.
If you prefer your steak rare, cook for 8-12 minutes at 400°F/200°C. For a medium steak, cook for 16 minutes at 400°F/200°C. If you like your steak well done, cook for 14 to 18 minutes at 400°F/200°C.
It's important to note that all air fryers cook slightly differently, so these times are approximate. Always use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of your steak to ensure it's cooked to your desired level of doneness.
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What temperature to cook at?
The cooking temperature for your steak will depend on how well-done you like your steak, the thickness of the steak, and the size of your steaks.
If you like your steak rare to medium-rare, you should cook it for a shorter time than if you like it medium-well to well-done. Thicker steaks will also require longer cooking times than thinner ones. For example, a 3/4" steak will take less time to cook than a 1" or 1 1/2" steak.
If you are cooking a thinner steak, you can start with 2+2 or 3+3 minutes, and then add 1-2 minutes at a time, flipping the steak when you add time. For a 3/4" thick steak, you can start with 4+4 minutes. If you are cooking a thicker steak (greater than 1.5") and want it cooked past medium, you may want to lower the temperature to prevent the outside from burning before the inside is cooked. For example, for a 2" steak, you can decrease the temperature to around 350°F and cook to temperature.
Some sources recommend preheating your air fryer to 380°F/190°C or 400°F for 5 minutes. You can then place the steak in the air fryer basket and cook it at the same temperature for 13-16 minutes, or until the steak is done to your liking. Another source recommends cooking at 390°F (200°C) for 4 minutes, then flipping and cooking for 4 more minutes (for medium), and then flipping and cooking for a final 4 minutes.
It is important to note that the exact cooking time and temperature will depend on your specific air fryer and your personal preferences for steak doneness. It is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your steak and ensure it is cooked to your desired level of doneness. For a medium-rare steak, the internal temperature should be 120ºF to 125ºF or 130-140°F. For a well-done steak, the internal temperature should be above 160°F/70°C.
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What cut of steak to use?
While you can cook any cut of steak in an air fryer, some cuts are better suited than others. The most popular choice is a ribeye steak, which is marbled with thin streaks of fat that render down during cooking, keeping the meat moist and juicy. Other options include sirloin, flank steak, flat iron steak, and filet mignon. These cuts are leaner than ribeye, so they won't benefit from the fat that renders and bastes the meat as it cooks.
If you're using a thicker cut of steak, like a ribeye, you may need to adjust the temperature and timing to prevent the outside from burning before the inside is cooked to your liking. For example, if you have a 2" steak and you want it well done, you might lower the temperature to around 350°F.
The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak and how well done you like it. Thinner steaks will take less time, while thicker steaks will require longer cooking times. For example, a 3/4" thick steak cooked medium-rare might take around 13-16 minutes, while a thicker steak cooked well done could take up to 18 minutes or more.
It's important to note that when cooking steak from frozen in an air fryer, you may need to use more seasoning than you're used to. This is because the seasonings don't have as much time to penetrate the meat. So, feel free to be generous with your herbs, spices, and rubs!
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Seasoning and other ingredients
Seasoning a steak is a matter of personal preference. Salt and pepper are the gold standard when it comes to seasoning steak, but you can use any seasonings you like. For example, you could use garlic powder, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce, or experiment with different combinations such as Tex-Mex or Italian.
If you are using salt, it is recommended to use sea salt flakes or kosher salt. You can also add some olive oil or rapeseed oil to help the steak retain moisture and get a nice sear, as well as ensuring the seasonings adhere to the meat. If you are cooking multiple steaks, make sure they fit comfortably next to each other in the air fryer. If they don't, you will need to cook them in batches.
The amount of seasoning you use is also important. Because the steak is frozen, much of the seasoning will slide off and won't penetrate the meat. As a result, you will need to use more seasoning than you normally would. For salt and pepper, the amount can stay the same, but for other herbs and spices, plan to use about 50% more.
When seasoning the steak, it is recommended to season it after it has been slightly thawed in the air fryer for about 4 minutes. This will ensure that the seasoning doesn't just fall off. After seasoning, place the steak back in the air fryer and cook for 4 minutes. Then, flip the steak, top with more seasoning, and air fry for another 4 minutes. For a medium steak, you will want to cook it for an additional 4 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Finally, let the steak rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. You can also sprinkle the steak with salt after it has rested to make sure you get a hit of salt in every bite.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cook a frozen steak in an air fryer. You don't need to defrost the steak first.
The cooking time depends on the thickness of the steak and how well you want it cooked. A 1-inch thick steak cooked medium-rare will take around 12-14 minutes at 400°F/200°C. A thinner steak cooked rare will take around 10 minutes, while a thicker steak cooked well-done will take around 22 minutes.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C for 5 minutes. Brush the steak with oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the steak in the air fryer and cook for 4 minutes. Flip the steak, add more seasoning, and cook for another 4 minutes. Check the temperature and add more time if needed. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before serving.
