Air Fryers: Making Meat Tender?

Air fryers have become increasingly popular, but do they measure up when it comes to cooking meat? Air-fried meat can be tender, juicy, and flavourful, but it's important to consider the type of meat and the cooking process. Tender cuts of meat, such as sirloin, ribeye, and tri-tip, are best suited for air frying. The air fryer's high heat can dry out the meat, so selecting cuts with a higher degree of marbling is recommended. Marinating lean cuts before cooking can also help prevent them from drying out. The cooking time and temperature are crucial to achieving the desired doneness, and it's important to monitor the internal temperature of the meat with a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. While air frying may not create the same crust as traditional cooking methods, it offers a convenient, healthy, and hands-free approach to preparing meat with minimal cleanup.

Air fryer steak cooking times

Air fryers are a great way to cook juicy, tender steaks with a nice sear. The high heat and air circulation create a crust on the outside of the steak, while the inside cooks more gently so it stays tender.

• Rare/Medium Rare: 7 minutes (turn over after 4 minutes)
• Medium: 9 minutes (turn over after 5 minutes)
• Medium Well: 11 minutes (turn over after 6.5 minutes)

It's important to note that these times are just a guide and will vary depending on the thickness of your steak and your desired doneness. Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your steak to ensure it's cooked to your liking.

When cooking steak in an air fryer, it's recommended to preheat the air fryer to around 200°C or 400°F. Brush the steak with oil and season with salt and pepper before placing it in the air fryer. For a 1-inch thick steak, cook for around 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Letting the steak come to room temperature before cooking and allowing it to rest for at least 10 minutes after cooking will also ensure a tender and juicy steak.

Air fryer steak preparation

Air-fried steak is a quick and easy way to get a juicy and tender steak with a crisp sear. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you prepare a delicious steak using an air fryer.

Choose the Right Steak Cut

When it comes to choosing the best cut of steak for your air fryer, you have multiple options. Ribeye, New York Strip, and Sirloin are popular choices, but other options include porterhouse, top sirloin, filet mignon, tri-tip, and top round.

For the best results, opt for a steak that is at least 1-inch thick. Thinner steaks may cook too fast and won't get a chance to brown properly.

Prepare the Steak

Before cooking, let your steak come to room temperature. Take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you start cooking. This will help ensure more even cooking.

Pat the steak dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. Then, rub the steak with a little olive oil or cooking oil spray. This will help improve browning and add a nice crust to your steak.

For seasoning, you can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with a dry rub or marinade. If you're using a dry rub, try a mixture of salt, pepper, and brown sugar, or add additional spices like garlic powder, paprika, or red pepper flakes. If you prefer a marinade, combine oil, an acidic ingredient like lemon juice or vinegar, and your choice of herbs and spices. Let the steak sit for about 10 minutes after seasoning to let the flavours develop.

Cook the Steak

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The preheating step may be skipped depending on your air fryer model, but it's generally recommended to ensure better results.

Place the steak in the air fryer basket and set the timer. For a 1-inch thick steak, cook for 10-12 minutes for medium-rare, flipping the steak halfway through. Adjust the cooking time accordingly if your steak is thicker or thinner.

To check if your steak is done, use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature. The target temperature will depend on your desired doneness:

• Rare: 125°F - 130°F
• Medium-Rare: 130°F - 140°F
• Medium: 140°F - 150°F
• Well Done: 160°F

Rest and Serve

Once the steak is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest on a plate or platter. Loosely cover it with foil and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and tender steak.

Finally, serve your steak with your choice of sides. Simple vegetable side dishes like salads, potatoes, asparagus, or green beans go well with steak. Don't forget to top your steak with a pat of garlic herb butter for an extra decadent touch.

Air fryer steak doneness levels

Air Fryer Steak: Doneness Levels

Air fryers are an underrated way of cooking juicy, tender steaks with a nice sear. The heat and air circulation create a crust on the outside of the steak, while the inside cooks more gently so it stays tender.

Choosing your steak

Ribeye, New York Strip, top round, and tri-tip are all good options for the air fryer. You want to choose a steak with a good amount of marbling, as this will keep the meat moist. If you're cooking a leaner cut of meat, like sirloin, it's a good idea to marinate it first to prevent it from drying out.

Preparing your steak

Take your steaks out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to let them come up to room temperature. Pat the steaks dry and rub them with a little oil to help them brown. Season with salt and pepper, or try a dry rub with two parts brown sugar, one part salt and pepper, and any other spices you like.

Cooking your steak

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. For a 1-inch-thick steak, cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness:

• Rare: 125-130°F
• Medium-Rare: 130-140°F
• Medium: 140-150°F
• Medium-Well: 150-155°F
• Well-Done: 160°F

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your steak. It's important to let the steak rest for a few minutes after cooking, as the temperature will continue to rise.

Serving your steak

Air fryer steaks go well with simple vegetable side dishes like salads, potatoes, asparagus, green beans, or French fries. For an authentic steakhouse taste, serve with garlic butter.

Air fryer steak cuts

Air fryers are a great way to cook steak, producing a juicy, tender steak with a nice sear. The key to achieving this is choosing the right cut of steak and cooking it for the correct amount of time.

Choosing the Right Steak Cut

When selecting a steak for your air fryer, look for cuts with good marbling and fat content, such as rib eye, New York strip, T-bone, porterhouse, and some sirloin steaks. These cuts tend to have great flavour and will stay moist during cooking. If you prefer a leaner cut of steak, such as a filet mignon, tri-tip, or top round, it is important to marinate the meat before cooking to prevent it from drying out.

Cooking Times

The cooking time for your steak will depend on the thickness of the cut and your desired level of doneness. As a general rule, a 1-inch thick steak will cook in around 10-12 minutes in an air fryer. For a rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 125°F to 130°F; for medium-rare, 130°F to 140°F; for medium, 140°F to 150°F; and for well-done, 160°F. It is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your steak to ensure it is cooked to your liking.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Steak

• Preheat your air fryer to ensure a nice sear on your steak.
• Pat your steak dry and lightly coat it with oil before seasoning with salt and pepper or your favourite steak seasoning.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook steaks in batches if necessary to ensure even cooking.
• Flip your steak halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.
• Allow your steak to rest for a few minutes after cooking before serving.

Air fryer steak tips

Air fryers are a great way to cook juicy, tender steak with a nice sear. The high heat and even circulation of hot air allow you to achieve a crispy crust without overcooking the inside. Here are some tips to help you cook the perfect steak using an air fryer.

Choosing the Right Cut of Steak

The best cuts for air frying are ribeye and New York Strip, but tri-tip, top round, porterhouse, sirloin, and filet mignon also work well. Choose a steak that is around 1-inch thick, as thinner steaks are prone to overcooking and thicker steaks may require a longer cooking time.

Marinating the Steak

Marinating lean cuts of steak prior to air frying is important to prevent them from drying out. You can use a variety of oils, acids like soy sauce or lemon juice, and herbs and spices for your marinade. Marinate the steak for at least 30 minutes or up to several hours. If using a dry rub, let the steak rest for about 10 minutes before cooking.

Preparing the Steak

Before cooking, trim any large pieces of fat or connective tissue from the steak. Pat the steak dry and season with oil, salt, and pepper, or your choice of spices. You can also try a dry rub of brown sugar, salt, and pepper for a beautiful, brown crust.

Cooking the Steak

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the steak in the air fryer basket, ensuring it is not overcrowded to allow for even cooking. Set the timer for 5 to 16 minutes, depending on your desired doneness. For a 1-inch thick steak, cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Checking Doneness

To check if your steak is done, use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature. For rare steaks, the internal temperature should be between 125°F and 130°F. Medium-rare steaks should be 130°F to 140°F, medium steaks 140°F to 150°F, and well-done steaks 160°F.

Resting and Serving the Steak

After cooking, remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest for about 3 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every bite is juicy. Serve your steak with sides like vegetables, potatoes, or a salad.

Tips for Success

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave space between steaks for even cooking.
• Allow the steaks to come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
• Pat the steaks dry before seasoning.
• For a nice crust, add a pinch of sugar to balance the salty flavors.
• For a steakhouse taste, serve with garlic butter.
• Flip the steak halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check the doneness of your steak.

Air frying is a great way to cook tender and juicy steaks with a nice sear. By following these tips, you can easily prepare delicious steaks in the comfort of your own home. Enjoy experimenting with different cuts of steak and seasonings to find your perfect combination.

Frequently asked questions