Air-Frying Steak: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Method

Cooking steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve a restaurant-worthy meal at home. Air fryers circulate hot air to quickly brown the exterior of the steak, resulting in golden brown edges that mimic a hard sear. This method of cooking steak is simple and convenient, with no splatter or mess in the kitchen. By following a few simple steps, anyone can make a perfect air fryer steak that is seared on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Choosing the right cut of steak

It is important to select steaks that are at least 1 inch thick. Thinner steaks tend to cook too quickly, resulting in overcooked and chewy meat. A thicker steak will provide a more even cook and allow for better browning. If you prefer your steak on the rarer side, a thicker cut is also ideal as it gives you a larger window of time to achieve the desired doneness.

When choosing a steak, consider the marbling, which refers to the amount of fat distributed throughout the meat. Marbling adds flavour and juiciness to the steak. Look for cuts with a good amount of marbling for a more tender and flavourful dining experience.

Additionally, bringing your steak to room temperature before cooking is crucial. Allowing the steak to rest outside of the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes helps ensure more even cooking and improves the texture of the meat. This step is often overlooked but can make a significant difference in the final result.

Lastly, consider the bone-in option for your steak. Bone-in steaks, such as bone-in ribeyes, can add flavour to the meat during cooking. The bone also helps to insulate the steak, influencing how it cooks and potentially resulting in a juicier final product.

Preparing the steak

Firstly, select the right cut of steak. Good options include ribeye, New York strip, t-bone, top sirloin, and filet mignon. Ensure your steaks are at least 1-inch thick, as thinner steaks tend to overcook quickly and become chewy.

Before seasoning, it is recommended to bring the steaks to room temperature. Take them out of the fridge for about 20-25 minutes beforehand. This helps the steak cook more evenly and reduces the chances of it becoming tough.

Now, it's time to season the steaks. Start by patting the steaks dry with a paper towel. Then, rub them with olive oil, butter, or any other neutral oil. Oil helps the steaks brown better and creates a gorgeous crust. Next, season generously with kosher salt and black pepper on both sides. You can also add other seasonings like Italian seasoning, fresh rosemary, thyme, or a steak rub of your choice. For a caramelized crust, add a pinch of sugar to balance the salty flavors. If you want to enhance the flavor even more, consider marinating the steaks in a dressing or marinade before adding the dry rub.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for at least 10 minutes before adding the steaks. This step is crucial, as it ensures the steaks achieve that desirable golden-brown exterior.

Once the air fryer is preheated, it's time to cook the steaks. Place the steaks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Overcrowding can affect the airflow and even cooking. Cook the steaks for about 10-12 minutes for a 1-inch thickness, flipping them halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on your desired doneness and the thickness of the steaks. For thicker steaks, increase the cooking time accordingly.

Preheating the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of cooking steak. It ensures that the outside of the steak gets nice and brown, similar to searing. If you skip this step, the steak may end up grey and overcooked by the time the outside browns.

To preheat your air fryer, start by setting it to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for at least 10 minutes before adding the steaks. This will ensure that your air fryer is perfectly hot by the time you are ready to cook your steaks. While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your steaks by seasoning them and bringing them to room temperature.

It is important to note that the preheating time may vary depending on your air fryer model. Some air fryers may take longer to heat up, so it is always a good idea to check the manufacturer's instructions or experiment with different preheating times to find what works best for your particular air fryer.

Additionally, when preheating your air fryer, make sure to coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent the steaks from sticking. This will also help to create a crispy, golden crust on your steaks.

Cooking the steak

Firstly, ensure your steaks are at least 1 inch thick. Thinner steaks may overcook and become chewy. If your steaks are frozen, they can still be cooked in the air fryer, but the cooking time will need to be adjusted.

Before cooking, allow your steaks to come to room temperature. This will help them cook more evenly and ensure they are less tough. Remove the steaks from the fridge for 20-25 minutes before cooking.

Pat the steaks dry and season them with salt and pepper on both sides. You can also add a dry rub, Italian seasoning, or a store-bought steak rub. For a caramelized crust, add a pinch of sugar to balance the salty flavours. Rub the steaks with olive oil, butter, or another neutral oil to help them brown.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for at least 10 minutes. This step is important, as it ensures the outside of the steaks brown nicely. Coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray.

Place the steaks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between them for airflow to cook evenly. If needed, cook the steaks in batches.

Cook the steaks for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the steaks and your desired level of doneness. For a rare steak, cook for 6-8 minutes; for medium-rare, cook for 10-13 minutes; and for medium, cook for 12-14 minutes. Well-done steaks may take up to 15 minutes.

Check the internal temperature of the steaks with a meat thermometer. Rare steaks should have an internal temperature of 125°F-130°F; medium-rare should be 130°F-135°F; and medium should be 140°F. If the steaks are not at your desired temperature, continue cooking and check the temperature every two minutes.

When the steaks are done, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest on a plate for 5-10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and the muscle fibres to relax, ensuring your steak is moist and flavoursome.

Finally, serve your steaks with your favourite sauce, compound butter, or garlic herb butter. Enjoy!

Resting and serving the steak

Once you've cooked your steak in the air fryer, it's important to let it rest before serving. Remove the steak from the air fryer and transfer it to a plate, loosely tented with foil, so it doesn't continue cooking. Let the steak rest for at least 5 minutes, or up to 10 minutes, to allow the juices to redistribute and the muscle fibres to relax. This will result in a consistently moist and more flavourful steak.

While the steak is resting, you can make a sauce or prepare some side dishes to serve with it. A compound or garlic butter is a classic choice to serve with steak, and you can also offer a variety of sides, such as roasted vegetables, a green salad, or chips.

When it comes to serving the steak, it's best to slice it before plating. You can also top it with the sauce or butter you prepared while the steak was resting. Remember to bring the steak to room temperature before serving, as this will enhance the flavour and texture.

Finally, don't forget to adjust the cooking and resting times based on the thickness of your steak. Thicker steaks will require a longer resting time, while thinner steaks may only need a few minutes.

Frequently asked questions