Air-Fried Steak: A Quick, Crispy, And Juicy Delight

Cooking steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a juicy, tender, and flavourful steak with a crispy crust. It's also healthier than traditional methods, cutting the cooking time and fat content in half without sacrificing flavour.

To cook a steak in an air fryer, you'll need to preheat the air fryer to a high temperature (around 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius). You'll then want to rub oil, salt, and pepper on your steak, before placing it in the air fryer for around 10-12 minutes, flipping it halfway through. After removing the steak from the air fryer, let it rest for around 10 minutes.

The length of time needed to cook the steak will depend on the thickness of the steak and your desired level of doneness. For a rare steak, you'll want an internal temperature of between 125-130 degrees Fahrenheit, while for a well-done steak, you're looking at 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Choosing the right steak

Type of Steak

When it comes to choosing the type of steak, you have multiple options that work well in an air fryer. Popular choices include ribeye, New York strip, sirloin, T-bone, top sirloin, filet mignon, and porterhouse. These cuts of steak require less attention during cooking, making them ideal for air frying.

Thickness

The thickness of your steak is an important consideration. Steaks that are at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick are recommended. Thinner steaks tend to cook too quickly in the air fryer, resulting in overcooking and a lack of browning. A thicker steak will give you a better sear and allow for more control over the cooking process.

Temperature

Allowing your steak to reach room temperature before cooking is crucial for even cooking. Take the steak out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to let it come to room temperature. This step helps ensure your steak cooks evenly and achieves the desired doneness.

Dry Surface

Before seasoning your steak, it's important to pat it dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture from the surface will help create a better sear and browning. A dry surface will also allow the seasonings to adhere better to the steak.

Seasonings

While salt and pepper are classic steak seasonings, you can also experiment with other options. A dry rub can enhance the colour and flavour of your steak, especially if you're using a leaner cut like sirloin. You can create your own dry rub by mixing salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Additionally, a little oil rubbed on the steak can improve browning and help your seasonings stick better.

In summary, choosing the right steak for your air fryer involves selecting the appropriate type, ensuring it has the right thickness, bringing it to room temperature, drying the surface, and seasoning it to perfection. By following these guidelines, you'll be well on your way to creating a mouthwatering air fryer steak.

Preparing the steak

Select your steak. Good options for the air fryer include ribeye, sirloin, New York strip, T-bone, top sirloin, and filet mignon. Aim for a steak that is at least one inch thick, as thinner steaks may overcook.

Take your steak out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to let it come to room temperature. This will help the steak cook more evenly.

Pat the steak dry with paper towels. This will help the steak brown rather than steam.

Add a little oil to the steak and rub it in. This will help the steak brown better. Olive oil is a good option, but butter or another neutral oil will also work.

Season the steak. You can use salt and pepper, or a premade steak seasoning. You can also add a dry rub, especially if you are using a leaner steak like sirloin. A simple dry rub could include salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Place the steak in the air fryer basket. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket, as the steak needs enough airflow to cook evenly.

Cook the steak for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the steak and your desired level of doneness. For a 1-inch thick steak, cook for 10 minutes for medium-rare or 12 minutes for medium.

Remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest on a plate for 10 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute and help the steak stay juicy.

Cooking the steak

Air fryers make cooking steak easy and quick, with no mess or splatter. You can use a variety of cuts of steak, including ribeye, sirloin, New York strip, T-bone, top sirloin, and filet mignon. The key to a good air fryer steak is to ensure the steak is at least 1 inch thick, as thinner steaks will overcook. You should also allow the steak to reach room temperature before cooking, and ensure the air fryer is well-spaced so that air can circulate.

To cook the steak, preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C. Rub the steak with olive oil, butter, or another neutral oil, and season with salt and pepper. You can also add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, or other spices and herbs.

Place the steak in the air fryer and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak and how well done you like it. For a rare steak, cook for 5-6 minutes; for medium-rare, cook for 8-10 minutes; for medium, cook for 10-12 minutes; and for well-done, cook for 12-15 minutes.

Once cooked, remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. You can also finish with a pat of garlic herb butter for extra flavour.

Resting the steak

During the resting period, it's a good idea to loosely tent the steak with foil to prevent it from continuing to cook. This is especially important if you're using an air fryer basket, as the residual heat can continue to cook the steak, affecting its doneness.

While the steak is resting, you can prepare any sides or sauces to accompany your meal. For example, a compound butter, such as garlic herb butter, can be a delicious addition to your steak. You can also use this time to prepare any other components of your meal, such as roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.

Additionally, if you're cooking multiple steaks, resting them individually can help ensure they don't overcook. By letting each steak rest for a few minutes before serving, you'll give the juices a chance to redistribute, resulting in a more flavorful and juicy steak.

Finally, the resting period also provides an opportunity to check the doneness of your steak. Using a meat thermometer, you can ensure that your steak has reached the desired internal temperature. For a medium-rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 130°F to 140°F, while for a medium steak, you're looking at 140°F to 150°F.

In summary, resting your steak is a crucial step that allows the meat to relax, reabsorb its juices, and reach the perfect doneness. By following these simple tips, you'll be able to serve a delicious, juicy steak cooked to perfection in your air fryer.

Serving the steak

Once your steak is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 10 minutes. Tent it loosely with foil to prevent it from continuing to cook. This is a critical step, as it gives the meat fibres time to relax and the juices to reincorporate back into the steak, resulting in a more tender and juicy bite.

After resting, transfer the steak to a chopping board and slice it against the grain. Cutting the steak this way will further tenderise the meat fibres, ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Finally, plate the steak and add a pat of garlic or herb butter on top, if desired. You can also serve the steak with a variety of sauces on the side, such as horseradish sauce or a simple pinch of salt and pepper.

Some side dish suggestions to serve with your steak include:

• Salads: Arugula Salad, Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad, or Salad with Burrata.
• Vegetables: Sauteed Mushrooms, Roasted Asparagus, Grilled Brussels Sprouts, or Green Beans.
• Potatoes: Mashed Potatoes, Hasselback Potatoes, Sweet Potato Wedges, or French Fries.
• Risotto: Mushroom Risotto, Beet Risotto, or Barley Risotto.

Frequently asked questions