Air-Fryer Steak Tips: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Cooking steak in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and convenient way to prepare a delicious meal with minimal cleanup. Air fryers are compact countertop convection ovens that use a combination of a heating element and a fan to circulate hot air for faster and more even cooking. This allows you to achieve a crispy exterior without overcooking the inside, resulting in tender and juicy steak tips. By cutting the steak into bite-sized pieces and seasoning or marinating it with your preferred spices, you can cook steak tips in the air fryer in just a few minutes, making it a perfect option for busy weeknights.

Steak cuts and preparation

• Ribeye: Known for its marbling and flavour, ribeye is a juicy option that cooks well in an air fryer.
• Filet Mignon: This cut is renowned for its tenderness and is perfect for those who prefer a more delicate steak.
• New York Strip: Offers a balance of tenderness and beefy flavour, making it a versatile option.
• T-Bone: A two-for-one cut that contains both a strip steak and a tenderloin, allowing for varied textures and flavours.
• Sirloin: A leaner cut that cooks quickly and remains tender, making it a great choice for air frying.
• Porterhouse: Similar to sirloin, porterhouse is a good option for those who want a quick and tender steak.

When preparing the steak, it is essential to remove it from the refrigerator and allow it to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking. This step helps the steak cook more evenly. It is also important to pat the steak dry with paper towels to eliminate excess moisture, which is crucial for achieving a nice sear.

Additionally, seasoning or marinating the steak is key to enhancing its flavour. A dry rub made from spices and herbs can be used just before cooking, while a wet marinade should be applied a few hours to overnight in the refrigerator for more intense flavours. Acidic components like vinegar or lemon juice in the marinade help break down the tough fibres in the meat.

Finally, preheating your air fryer for about 3-5 minutes is important for achieving a good sear and even cooking. The cooking time will depend on the desired doneness and the thickness of the steak, with thicker cuts requiring longer cooking times.

Marinade and seasoning

Marinating and seasoning steak tips before air frying can enhance their flavour and texture. While some recipes suggest a dry rub, others recommend a wet marinade.

A dry rub is a mixture of spices and herbs that is rubbed onto the surface of the meat before cooking. This method is often used to promote browning and create a crispy crust on the steak tips. A basic dry rub can be made by combining kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, ground black pepper, and dried thyme. Olive oil can be drizzled onto the steak tips to help the dry rub stick to the meat.

A wet marinade, on the other hand, involves soaking the steak tips in a mixture of oil, acid (such as balsamic vinegar or lemon juice), and spices for a longer period of time, typically 30 minutes to 4 hours. This technique is said to infuse the meat with flavour and make it more tender. A simple wet marinade can be made by whisking together oil, salt, black pepper, Montreal steak seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.

Some recipes suggest a combination of wet and dry methods, where the steak tips are first marinated in a mixture of baking soda and water, then rinsed and dried before being seasoned with a dry rub. This process is said to promote browning and enhance the texture of the meat.

When preparing a marinade or seasoning for air fryer steak tips, it is important to consider the size of the steak tips and the desired level of doneness. Smaller pieces of meat will cook more quickly and may not need as much time to marinate. For thicker or thinner steak tips, the cooking time and marinade intensity may need to be adjusted accordingly.

Additionally, the type of oil used in the marinade or seasoning can affect the flavour and smoke point of the steak tips. Avocado oil, for example, has a higher smoke point and is less likely to create residue, while olive oil is a common choice for its flavour and health benefits.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for steak tips in an air fryer depend on your preferred level of doneness. For a medium-rare steak, preheat your air fryer to 400°F for about 5 minutes. Then, cook the steak for 4-5 minutes. If you like your steak medium, increase the cooking time to 6-7 minutes. For well-done steak tips, cook for 10-12 minutes.

Note that the cooking time may vary based on the size of your steak pieces. For example, larger pieces may take 7-8 minutes for a medium-well level of doneness. It is recommended to use a meat thermometer to ensure your steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the steak piece. If the temperature is lower than 135°F, put the steak back in the air fryer and cook for another 1-2 minutes.

When arranging the steak tips in the air fryer basket, ensure they are in a single layer with space between each piece. This allows the hot air to circulate evenly, resulting in even cooking and a crispy exterior. If your basket is small, you may need to cook the steak in batches.

Clean-up

Cooking steak tips in an air fryer offers the benefit of minimal cleanup compared to other cooking methods. When cooking steak tips in a cast-iron skillet, you will need to turn on the stove fan due to the smoke and grease splatter that will cover everything within a 2-foot radius.

In contrast, the air fryer contains all the grease splatter within the closed basket, so you still get the charred and browned steak bites without the mess. The drippings are collected at the bottom of the air fryer basket, making cleanup a breeze.

For even less cleanup, you can use a plastic storage bag or a ziplock bag for the marinade. Simply discard it once the steak is in the air fryer. You can also use a meat probe to test your steak and take it out of the air fryer before it reaches your desired level of doneness, as the meat will continue to cook and increase in temperature as it rests.

After cooking, remember to deep clean your air fryer monthly, but you can get away with a light cleaning after each use.

Reheating

Allow the steak to reach room temperature:

Remove the steak from the refrigerator and let it sit for 15-30 minutes to reach room temperature. This ensures even reheating and prevents the steak from drying out.

Preheat the air fryer:

Set the air fryer to a temperature between 350°F and 380°F (175-190°C). Preheating is essential for consistent results.

Prepare the steak:

Pat the steak dry with a paper towel. Then, lightly coat it with olive oil, avocado oil, or butter. This helps the steak reheat evenly and creates a crispier crust. You can also add your favorite spices or a steak rub to enhance the flavor.

Place the steak in the air fryer:

Place the steak in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring that the steaks do not touch. This allows the hot air to circulate around each steak for even cooking.

Reheat the steak:

Air fry the steak for 2-3 minute intervals at 380°F/190°C, or for 3-6 minutes at 350°F/180°C. The exact time will depend on the thickness and size of your steak. Check the internal temperature of the steak using a meat thermometer. It should reach at least 110°F/43°C in the center of the thickest part. For thicker steaks, you may need to add 1-2 minutes to the cooking time.

Rest and serve:

Remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and tender bite. Enjoy your perfectly reheated steak!

Frequently asked questions