Air Fryer Steak: Can You Get That Sizzle?

Cooking steak in an air fryer is a convenient and quick way to get a juicy and tender steak with minimal mess. While traditional stovetop cooking requires flipping and basting, an air fryer offers a hands-off approach. The high temperatures and fast-moving hot air of an air fryer create a thick, crunchy crust and a juicy, tender inside. However, air fryers may not reach high enough temperatures to create the same rich, caramelized flavour and texture as stovetop cooking. Ultimately, the decision to cook steak in an air fryer depends on personal preference and the desired level of convenience.

Air fryer steak cooking times and temperatures

Air fryers are a convenient and effective way to cook steak, giving you a juicy, tender steak with a crunchy texture and minimal mess. The key to success is allowing your steak to reach room temperature before cooking, and ensuring your air fryer is hot enough to encourage browning.

Steak Preparation

Before cooking, pat your steak dry with kitchen paper or a clean cloth, and brush with oil. Then, season generously with salt and pepper, or a dry rub of your choice. It is recommended to let the steak sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before cooking. This will ensure the steak cooks evenly, and allow time for the salt to pull the water out of the steak, enhancing the flavour.

Cooking Times and Temperatures

The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak and your desired level of doneness. As a general rule, thicker steaks are preferable in an air fryer, as they give the outside enough time to develop a sear while the inside reaches your desired level of doneness. Aim for a steak that is at least 1 inch thick.

For a 1-inch-thick steak, cooked to medium-rare, cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, and remove from the air fryer. For a medium steak, cook for 12 minutes, and for medium-well, 14 minutes. Well-done steaks will take a good 12 to 15 minutes. The internal temperature of a medium-rare steak should be 130 degrees Fahrenheit, so be sure to remove the steak 5-6 degrees before your desired level of doneness, as the steak will continue to cook for a few minutes after you remove it from the air fryer.

Tips

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure optimal airflow and browning.
• Allow the steak to rest for 8-15 minutes after cooking, to allow the juices to solidify.
• If you are cooking a thinner steak, reduce the cooking time to avoid overcooking.
• For a thicker steak, increase the cooking time.
• To test for your desired level of doneness, use a meat probe.

Steak preparation for the air fryer

Air fryers can cook steak quickly and easily without the mess of searing steak in a pan or on a grill. They create a juicy, tender steak that's moist on the inside and crunchy on the outside.

Choosing the right steak

When selecting the best air fryer steak, opt for a cut of meat that's about an inch thick. Thinner cuts may cook too quickly and become dry and chewy. The best options are sirloin, porterhouse, New York strip, ribeye, t-bone, top sirloin, and filet mignon.

Preparing the steak

Before cooking, remove the steak from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature. This is important for cooking the steak evenly and achieving your desired level of doneness.

Pat the steak dry with paper towels to remove moisture, which will help it brown better. Then, rub or spray the steak with a little olive oil, which will also help with browning.

Sprinkle a generous pinch of salt and several grinds of black pepper on both sides of the steak. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, or a steak rub.

Cooking the steak

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius.

Place the steak in the centre of the air fryer basket. For a 1-inch steak, cook for 10 minutes for medium-rare, 12 minutes for medium, and 14 minutes for medium-well, flipping the steak halfway through.

Remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest on a plate for about 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to solidify and the muscle fibres to relax, resulting in a moist and flavourful steak.

Serving the steak

Air fryer steak goes well with traditional steakhouse sides like mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, crispy onions, or roasted asparagus. You can also top the steak with garlic butter or your favourite sauce.

Steak seasoning and toppings

Seasoning and toppings are essential components of cooking steak in an air fryer, as they enhance the flavour and texture of the meat. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for seasoning and topping your steak:

Seasoning:

• Basic seasonings: Salt and pepper are fundamental to seasoning steak. Salt enhances the flavour and moisture of the meat, while pepper adds heat and depth.
• Dry rubs: Dry rubs are popular for air-fried steak due to their concentrated flavour. Create a dry rub by mixing spices like garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (optional, for heat). Apply the rub generously to both sides of the steak and let it rest for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavours to penetrate.
• Marinades: Marinating the steak is another excellent way to infuse flavour. A simple marinade can be made by whisking together balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, freshly ground black pepper, and fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme. Place the steak in a resealable bag, pour in the marinade, and refrigerate for 2-24 hours, depending on the desired flavour intensity.
• Timing: For optimal results, season the steak with salt at least 40 minutes before cooking. Apply dry rubs about 30 minutes before cooking, and aim to marinate thin cuts for a few hours and thicker cuts overnight.

Toppings:

• Herb butter: A compound butter, such as garlic herb butter, can elevate the flavour of your steak. To make it, mash together softened butter with ingredients like parsley, chives, garlic, red pepper flakes, shallot, lemon juice, or fresh herbs of your choice. Top your cooked steak with a generous amount of herb butter for a decadent touch.
• Sauces: Top your air-fried steak with your favourite sauce. Options like chimichurri or a balsamic glaze can complement the meat beautifully.
• Sides: Serve your steak with complementary sides, such as roasted vegetables, a fresh garden salad, garlic mashed potatoes, or a simple baked potato.

Remember, experimentation is key! Don't be afraid to mix and match different seasonings, spices, and toppings to find your perfect combination.

Steak resting time

Resting your steak is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that the steak is juicy and flavourful.

Firstly, it is important to allow your steak to come to room temperature before cooking. This ensures that the steak cooks evenly. After cooking, the steak should be allowed to rest for a few minutes. This gives the muscle fibres time to relax and the juices to redistribute and be reabsorbed by the fibres. This process prevents the steak from losing its juices when sliced.

The length of time that a steak should be rested depends on its size and thickness. A good rule of thumb is to rest a steak for at least five minutes, and no less than three. A thicker cut of meat should be rested for at least 10 minutes. Other guidelines include resting the steak for five minutes for every inch of thickness, 10 minutes for every pound, or half of the total cooking time.

When resting a steak, it is best to use a warm plate or serving platter. A cutting board is also a good option if you plan on slicing the steak before serving. An oven rack can also be used, as it helps to keep the exterior of the steak intact. It is not necessary to cover the steak while it rests, but a tent of aluminium foil can be used to retain warmth for a longer period.

It is important to note that a steak will continue to cook while resting, due to the laws of thermodynamics. The temperature can rise by as much as 13 degrees after the steak is removed from the heat source. Therefore, it is important to stick to safe cooking temperatures to avoid any food safety issues.

Air fryer steak recipes

Air fryers can be used to cook steak, with the added benefits of minimal mess and less intimidating high temperatures. The air fryer's convection oven-like setup ensures the steak is cooked thoroughly on the inside while developing a caramelized crust on the outside.

Recipe 1: Air Fryer Steak with Garlic Herb Butter

This recipe is courtesy of the Food Network Kitchen and can be used to cook sirloin, filet mignon, ribeye, or New York strip steaks.

Ingredients

• One 1-pound sirloin steak, about 1 inch thick
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives
• 1 small clove garlic, finely grated
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

• Allow the steak to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
• Preheat a 3.5-quart air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Season the steak on both sides with a generous pinch of salt and several grinds of black pepper.
• Place the steak in the center of the air fryer basket and cook until desired doneness:

• About 10 minutes for medium-rare
• About 12 minutes for medium
• About 14 minutes for medium-well

• Transfer the steak to a cutting board and let it rest for about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the garlic-herb butter by mashing together the butter, parsley, chives, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl.
• Slice the steak against the grain into 1/4-inch-thick pieces and top with the garlic-herb butter.

Recipe 2: Air Fryer Steak

This recipe is by Skinnytaste and can be used for any thick steak, although sirloin is recommended.

Ingredients

• 4 sirloin steaks, 1 inch thick (1 1/2 lbs total)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Olive oil for spraying

Instructions

• Combine the spices in a small bowl.
• Spray the steak with olive oil and coat both sides with the spices.
• Preheat the air fryer so the basket gets hot.
• For a 1-inch steak, air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, turning halfway, for medium-rare, or 12 minutes, flipping halfway, for medium.
• Finish with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
• Let the steak rest, tented with foil for 5 minutes before slicing.

General Tips for Cooking Steak in an Air Fryer

• Allow the steak to come to room temperature before cooking. Taking it out of the fridge 20-30 minutes beforehand should be sufficient.
• Pat the steak dry with paper towels to remove moisture and promote browning.
• A little oil rubbed on the steak or a spritz of oil can help with browning.
• A dry rub of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika can enhance the overall color of the steak.
• Ensure the air fryer basket is not overcrowded to allow for optimal airflow and even cooking.
• For medium-rare steak, cook for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway. For medium steak, cook for about 12 minutes, flipping halfway. Adjust the cooking time accordingly for thicker or thinner steaks.
• After cooking, let the steak rest on a plate, loosely tented with foil, for 3-10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and the fibers to relax, resulting in a moist and flavorful steak.

Frequently asked questions