Air Fryer Steak: Achieving Perfection With Reverse Sear

Reverse searing a steak is a two-step process that involves cooking the steak in an oven on low heat and then searing it in a skillet to create a dark crust. This method can be replicated using an air fryer and a cast-iron pan. The air fryer's high heat and convection fan cook the steak quickly and give it a crispy exterior. A cast-iron pan is then used to sear the steak, creating a crust. This method is suitable for steak lovers who want a tender and juicy steak with a crisp and flavorful crust.

Reverse searing a steak in an air fryer vs. an oven

Reverse searing is a two-step cooking process for steaks. It involves cooking the steak at a low temperature first and then searing it to create a dark crust.

Reverse searing a steak in an air fryer can be done, and it offers a more hands-off approach than using an oven. The air fryer's fan dries the outside of the steak, resulting in a superior crust compared to a conventional oven. It also doesn't heat up the house like an oven would. However, some people argue that an air fryer doesn't offer any additional benefits over an oven, and that simpler ways to cook a steak exist.

To reverse sear a steak in an air fryer, first season the steak with salt and pepper, and add oil. Then, preheat the air fryer to 245°F on the lowest fan setting for 60 minutes. Place the steak in the air fryer and cook for 20-40 minutes, flipping it midway through, until the center reaches 90-125°F for rare to medium-rare. Remove the steak and let it rest for at least 5 minutes.

To finish, sear the steak in a cast iron pan with butter. Start with a cold pan, adding butter, oil, herbs, and garlic. Once the butter begins to brown, add the steak and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side, basting with the butter, until a golden crust forms. Remove the steak and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Reverse searing a steak in an oven involves similar steps. Preheat the oven to 275-350°F. Season the steak and place it in a cast iron skillet with oil and garlic. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the steak reaches an internal temperature of 130°F for medium-rare. Remove the steak and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. Add butter to the skillet and sear the steak for 1 minute on each side.

The benefits of reverse searing

Reverse searing a steak in an air fryer can be a great way to cook your steak to perfection. Here are the benefits of reverse searing:

Firstly, reverse searing gives you a tender center with a well-cooked exterior. The low and slow cooking method ensures the steak is cooked evenly, eliminating the "bulls-eye" effect of a traditional steak cooked with a hot sear followed by a slow roast. Reverse searing gives a consistent doneness and color from the top crust to the bottom.

Secondly, reverse searing allows for better heat control. You can cook the steak to a precise degree of doneness, and because you rest the meat between low heat and high heat, you can serve it straight after cooking without the need for a resting period.

Thirdly, reverse searing is a great way to get a superior crust. The dry environment of the air fryer helps to dry out the exterior of the steak, creating a golden, crispy crust.

Finally, reverse searing is a more hands-off approach to cooking steak. You can begin the cooking process at any temperature, and the steak will be less likely to overcook. This method also reduces the amount of smoke produced during cooking.

Overall, reverse searing is a great way to ensure your steak is cooked evenly, with a tender center and a well-browned crust.

How to reverse sear a steak in an air fryer

Reverse searing a steak is a two-step process that involves cooking the steak at a low temperature and then finishing it off with a quick sear to create a crispy outer crust. This method can be done in an air fryer, and here's how you can do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Steak

Start by selecting the right cut of steak. The reverse searing method works best with thicker cuts of meat, ideally 1.5 to 2 inches thick. A ribeye or New York Strip are great options for this cooking method.

If you want to season your steak ahead of time, you can do so by applying salt (and optionally, herbs) the night before. This will help dry out the steak and allow the flavour to penetrate the meat. There's no need to cover it; just place it on a perforated rack with a catch tray.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes suggest a temperature between 245-250°F (some go as high as 400°F), and it should be preheated for about 60 minutes on the lowest fan setting. If your air fryer doesn't have a low fan setting, you can default to the air fry, sear, or roast mode.

Step 3: Cook the Steak in the Air Fryer

Place the steak in the air fryer basket. Drizzle a small amount of oil on both sides of the steak and season with pepper or your desired seasoning blend.

The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your steak, as well as your desired doneness. As a starting point, cook the steak for about 10-15 minutes, flipping it halfway through. Use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of the steak. For a rare steak, you're aiming for an internal temperature of 120-130°F; for medium-rare, 130-140°F; for medium, 140-150°F; and for well done, 160-170°F.

Step 4: Sear the Steak

Once your steak has reached the desired internal temperature in the air fryer, it's time to sear it. Remove the steak from the air fryer and transfer it to a preheated cast-iron skillet. You'll want the skillet to be smoking hot. Sear each side of the steak for about 1-3 minutes, or until a rich, crispy crust forms.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Remove the steak from the skillet and let it rest on a cutting board for a few minutes before slicing. This will allow the juices to redistribute and ensure a juicy, flavorful steak.

Slice the steak against the grain into thin slices and serve it with your favourite sides. Enjoy your perfectly cooked, reverse-seared steak!

Tips for achieving the perfect reverse sear

Choose the right steak

The reverse sear method works best with thicker cuts of meat, so opt for a steak that is at least 1.5 inches thick. Ribeye and New York Strip are good choices.

Seasoning

Keep it simple with salt and pepper, or use a steakhouse blend. You can season the steak the night before to dry brine, allowing the flavour to penetrate the meat.

Preheat your air fryer

Set your air fryer to 245-250°F on the lowest fan setting for 60 minutes. If your air fryer doesn't have a fan setting, default to the air fry, sear, or roast mode.

Cook the steak in the air fryer

Place the steak in the air fryer basket and set a timer for your first checkpoint. For a rare steak, you'll want to stop the reverse searing stage when the centre of the steak reaches 90-130°F. This should take around 10-20 minutes, but will depend on the thickness of your steak. Check the temperature every 10 minutes and flip the steak halfway through.

Sear the steak

While the steak is cooking, preheat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until smoking hot. Once the steak is done in the air fryer, transfer it to the hot skillet and sear each side for 1-3 minutes, or until a rich, crispy crust forms.

Rest the steak

Once seared to your liking, remove the steak from the skillet and let it rest on a cutting board for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Drawbacks of using an air fryer to reverse sear steak

Reverse searing a steak in an air fryer does have some drawbacks. Firstly, it is a multi-step process that requires the use of more than one kitchen appliance. While an air fryer can reduce the initial cooking time, searing the steak in a separate pan or skillet is still necessary, adding an extra step to the cooking process. This means more time spent preparing and cleaning up, which may be inconvenient for some cooks.

Another potential issue is the size of the air fryer's internal heating basket. If you're cooking for a crowd, the limited space might mean that you end up serving some steaks that are colder than others. Air fryers work best when hot air can circulate freely, so overfilling the basket can hinder cooking performance and browning. To manage this, you may need to invest in stackable air fryer racks, which can be purchased separately.

Additionally, while air fryers are known for their quick preheating and cooking capabilities, this can also be a drawback when it comes to reverse searing steak. The steak needs to reach the right internal temperature before searing, and with the air fryer's fast cooking, it can be easy to overcook the steak during the initial step if you're not careful. A meat thermometer is essential to ensure you don't overcook your steak.

Lastly, some cooks may find that the results of reverse searing in an air fryer are not significantly different from using a conventional oven. The air fryer does reduce the initial cooking time, but the overall process and the final product may not be drastically improved compared to other methods.

Frequently asked questions