Tiffany Haney
Cooking steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve a delicious, juicy, and tender steak with a beautiful sear on the outside. This method is especially useful when outdoor grilling is not practical, and it also avoids filling your kitchen with smoke. The air fryer's high temperature and airflow work perfectly to cook the steak to your desired level of doneness, whether that be rare, medium-rare, medium, or well-done. The key to success is allowing the steak to come to room temperature before cooking, patting it dry, and then seasoning generously with salt and pepper, or a dry rub for extra colour. You can also brush on olive oil to help form a crust and enhance the flavour. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak and your desired level of doneness, so it's important to keep an eye on your steak and use a meat thermometer to check its progress. Once your steak is cooked to perfection, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving with your favourite sides.
Cooking Sirloin Steak in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Steak Thickness | 1-1.5 inches |
| Steak Weight | 8-10 ounces |
| Steak Type | Sirloin |
| Steak Temperature | 200°C or 400°F |
| Steak Seasoning | Olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, sugar |
| Steak Sides | Baked potatoes, roasted potatoes, salad, green beans, asparagus, French fries, etc. |
| Steak Resting Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Steak Doneness | Rare, medium-rare, medium, medium-well, well-done |
| Steak Internal Temperature | 125-160°F |
| Steak Cooking Time | 6-15 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F/200°C
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your steak cooks evenly and helps to create that delicious sear on the outside. To preheat your air fryer, simply turn it on and set the temperature to 400°F/200°C. Allow it to heat up for about 3 minutes before placing your seasoned steak inside.
It's important to note that different air fryer models may have varying preheat functions, so be sure to refer to your air fryer's user manual for specific instructions. However, the general principle remains the same: preheating ensures that your steak cooks evenly and effectively.
While your air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your sirloin steak. Start by allowing your steak to come to room temperature. This step is optional but can help ensure even cooking. Remove your steak from the fridge about 15 to 30 minutes before cooking. During this time, you can also season your steak. A generous sprinkle of salt and pepper is a classic choice, but feel free to experiment with other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or Montreal steak seasoning.
Once your steak is at room temperature and seasoned, you can place it in the air fryer. Remember to give it enough space in the basket to ensure proper airflow and even cooking. Depending on the thickness of your steak and your desired doneness, you'll then air fry it for around 10 to 15 minutes for a 1-inch steak, adjusting the time accordingly for thicker cuts.
Preheating your air fryer to 400°F/200°C is a crucial step in achieving the perfect air-fried sirloin steak. It ensures even cooking and helps create a delicious sear. By following this step and the subsequent cooking instructions, you'll be well on your way to enjoying a juicy and tender steak cooked to perfection.
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Season the steak with oil, salt, and pepper
To season your sirloin steak with oil, salt, and pepper, start by patting the steak dry with paper towels. This will remove any moisture, allowing the steak to brown rather than steam. Next, rub oil onto the steak. You can use olive oil or another neutral oil like butter. This will help the steak brown better and form a crust. It will also help the seasonings stick to the steak.
Now it's time to add the salt and pepper. Sprinkle or grind the salt and pepper generously onto the steak, or place them in a small bowl and mix them with the oil before coating the steak. You can also add other spices to the mixture, like garlic powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, or Montreal seasoning. Make sure to season both sides of the steak.
If you're using a dry rub, this is the time to apply it. A dry rub will help leaner steaks like sirloin achieve a better overall colour. You can purchase a steak rub or make your own by mixing spices like garlic powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper.
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Cook for 10-15 minutes
Cooking sirloin steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious meal. It is important to note that the cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak and your desired level of doneness. For thicker steaks, you will need to increase the cooking time accordingly.
If you are cooking a 1-inch thick steak, the cooking time will vary depending on your desired level of doneness. For a medium-rare steak, cook the steak for 10 minutes, flipping it halfway through. If you prefer your steak medium, increase the cooking time to 12 minutes, still flipping it halfway.
For thicker steaks, such as those that are 1.5 inches thick, you will need to adjust the cooking time. As a general rule of thumb, thicker steaks will require an additional 2 minutes of cooking time for each additional 0.5 inches of thickness. So, for a 1.5-inch thick steak, you will need to cook it for approximately 14 minutes for medium-rare and 16 minutes for medium.
It is always recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your steak to ensure it has reached your desired level of doneness. The internal temperature of a medium-rare steak should be 135°F, while a medium steak should have an internal temperature of 140-150°F.
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Rest for 10 minutes
Resting your steak is an important step in the cooking process. It allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring that they don't end up on your plate instead of in your steak. This is why it is important to let your steak rest for 10 minutes after cooking.
During the resting period, the steak's internal temperature will continue to rise by 5-10 degrees, so it is important to remove it from the heat before it reaches your desired level of doneness. For example, if you prefer your steak medium-rare, with an internal temperature of 135°F, you should remove it from the air fryer when it reaches 130°F, as it will continue to cook while resting.
While the steak is resting, you can prepare any side dishes that you plan to serve with it. Some popular options include roasted vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, or green beans, or potatoes, which can be cooked in the air fryer while the steak rests.
Additionally, if you want to add a pat of garlic herb butter on top of your steak, as recommended by Little Sunny Kitchen, you can use this time to prepare it. Mash together butter, parsley, chives, garlic, and rosemary in a small bowl, and top your steak with it just before serving.
Finally, when the resting time is over, slice your steak against the grain. This will help to ensure that the meat is tender and easy to chew.
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Serve with sides
There are several side dishes that can complement your juicy sirloin steak cooked in an air fryer. Here are some options to consider:
Vegetables
Simple vegetable side dishes are a great option to pair with your steak. You can choose from a variety of roasted or air-fried vegetables, such as asparagus, green beans, roasted butternut squash, broccolini, or Brussels sprouts. These vegetables can be prepared while the steak is cooking or resting, ensuring a quick and easy side dish.
Potatoes
Potatoes are a classic side dish that can be prepared in various ways to accompany your steak. You can opt for baked potatoes, smashed potatoes, mashed potatoes, or sweet potatoes. For an indulgent option, consider rosemary mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy. If you prefer a crispier texture, you can air fry the potatoes for an additional 1-2 minutes after the steak is done cooking.
Salads
If you're looking for a lighter option, a salad can be a refreshing side dish to balance out your meal. A classic Caesar salad or a steak salad made with cold steak slices are excellent choices to pair with your air-fried steak.
Other Starch Options
In addition to potatoes, you can explore other starchy side dishes. Mac and cheese is a cozy option that pairs well with the steak. If you're looking for something a little different, try serving your steak with roasted acorn squash.
Sauces and Toppings
To enhance the flavor of your steak and sides, consider adding sauces or toppings. You can opt for a compound butter with herbs like rosemary, thyme, or chives. Alternatively, you can choose from a variety of sauces such as creamy horseradish, chimichurri, steakhouse mushrooms, or a simple pat of garlic herb butter.
Remember, the key to a successful air-fried sirloin steak dinner is not only in the cooking method but also in the sides you choose to complement it. Feel free to experiment with different combinations of side dishes to find your perfect meal!
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Frequently asked questions
First, allow the steak to sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes. Then, pat the steak dry with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Brush the steak with olive oil and place it in the air fryer basket, ensuring it doesn't touch any other steaks. For a 1-inch steak, cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, and adjust the time according to thickness and desired doneness.
For a medium steak, cook a 1-inch steak in a preheated air fryer for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
For a medium-rare steak, cook a 1-inch steak in a preheated air fryer for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
After cooking, let the steak rest for at least 5-10 minutes. You can top it with garlic herb butter and serve it with simple vegetable side dishes like salads, potatoes, asparagus, green beans, or French fries.
