Air Fryer Steaks: The Ultimate Guide To Perfection

Yes, you can cook steak in an air fryer. It's a quick and convenient way to cook steak, with minimal mess and fuss. The air fryer will leave you with a juicy, tender steak that's moist on the inside and crunchy on the outside. However, you are limited by the size of the air fryer, so you'll need to opt for smaller cuts of steak, such as filet mignon.

The advantages of cooking steak in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook steak in an air fryer. There are several advantages to this method of cooking steak:

Firstly, air fryers are fast and efficient, with minimal mess. They require high temperatures, which can be intimidating for home cooks, but air fryers make the process much easier. You can achieve a juicy, tender steak that's moist on the inside and crunchy on the outside.

Secondly, the closed-off basket of an air fryer prevents fat from splattering at high heat, which can create a mess on kitchen surfaces. This means you only have to clean your air fryer, not your stove and countertops.

Thirdly, air fryers offer a "set-it-and-forget-it" approach. While traditional stove-top searing requires you to be present to flip and baste the steak, an air fryer allows you to simply set it and walk away. This is especially appealing if you're also cooking side dishes.

Finally, air fryers heat up quickly and cook food with fast-moving hot air from all angles. This convection-style heat flow gets food crispy without using as much oil as other cooking techniques. However, it's important to note that air frying may not be the best method for achieving a juicy, medium-rare steak.

The best cuts of steak for an air fryer

Yes, you can cook steak in an air fryer. The best cuts of steak for an air fryer are smaller cuts like filet mignon and other petite boneless cuts of meat. This is because the size of the air fryer basket is limited, and larger cuts like ribeye or family-sized sirloin may not fit well. Thicker cuts like sirloin are also good as they turn nice and browned on the outside without overcooking. Bone-in cuts are more flavoursome and harder to overcook, but they can be difficult to fit into an air fryer.

The top temperature most air fryers reach is 450 degrees F, which is a relatively low temperature for cooking steak. Air fryers are convenient as they heat up quickly, require minimal clean-up, and can produce super crispy food without using lots of oil. They also prevent fat from splattering over kitchen surfaces.

How to season steak for an air fryer

Yes, you can cook steak in an air fryer. The process is quick and easy, and it's a great way to achieve a juicy, tender steak that's moist on the inside and crunchy on the outside.

When it comes to seasoning your steak, it's best to keep things simple. Start by allowing your steak to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking. This will help the meat cook more evenly. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F, and then season the steak on both sides with a generous pinch of salt and several grinds of black pepper. You can also add other seasonings of your choice, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or dried herbs like rosemary or thyme.

If you're looking for a more intense flavour, you can try a dry brine. Mix together kosher salt, black pepper, and any other desired seasonings, and then rub this mixture all over the steak. Place the steak in the fridge, uncovered, for at least an hour or up to overnight. This will help the steak absorb the flavours and develop a delicious crust when cooked.

For a truly indulgent experience, you can also add a compound butter on top of your steak after cooking. To make a compound butter, simply mix softened butter with your choice of herbs, spices, or other flavourings. Some classic combinations include garlic and herb, blue cheese and chive, or smoked paprika and lime.

When it comes to cooking your steak, thicker cuts like sirloin tend to work best in the air fryer. They'll achieve a nice browned exterior without overcooking the inside. Keep in mind that the size of your air fryer may limit the cuts of steak you can use. Smaller air fryers may not accommodate larger cuts like ribeye or family-sized sirloin. Instead, opt for smaller cuts like filet mignon or other petite boneless cuts.

The best temperature to cook steak in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook steak in an air fryer. The best temperature to cook steak in an air fryer depends on the cut of meat and the size of your air fryer.

The top temperature most air fryers reach is 450 degrees Fahrenheit, which is a relatively low temperature to cook a steak at. For this reason, thicker cuts of steak, like sirloin, are best. They turn nice and browned on the outside without overcooking. You can preheat a 3.5-quart air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, season the steak with salt and pepper, and then cook it for around 10 minutes.

Bone-in cuts are more flavoursome and harder to overcook, but they can be difficult to fit into an air fryer. Smaller cuts like filet mignon and other petite boneless cuts of meat are better suited to the size of an air fryer.

The advantages of cooking steak in an air fryer are that it's fast and efficient with minimal mess, and it will leave you with a juicy, tender steak that's moist on the inside and crunchy on the outside. The closed-off basket of an air fryer also prevents fat from splattering at high heat and creating a mess on kitchen surfaces.

How long to cook steak in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook steak in an air fryer. The process is quick and easy, taking only ten minutes, and it requires minimal clean-up. The air fryer will leave you with a juicy, tender steak that's moist on the inside and crunchy on the outside.

When cooking steak in an air fryer, you're limited by the machine's size. Larger cuts, like ribeyes or family-sized sirloins, won't fit well in the basket of most air fryers, so it's best to opt for smaller cuts like filet mignon and other petite boneless cuts of meat. Bone-in cuts are more flavoursome and harder to overcook, but they can be difficult to fit into the air fryer.

The top temperature most air fryers reach is 450 degrees F, which is relatively low for cooking steak. Thicker cuts, like sirloin, are best as they brown nicely on the outside without overcooking. Allow the steak to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking, then preheat a 3.5-quart air fryer to 400 degrees F. Season the steak on both sides with salt and pepper before placing it in the air fryer.

Frequently asked questions