Marianne Martinez
Cooking strip steak in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to prepare a delicious meal. With minimal prep and short cooking times, you can have a juicy and tender steak on the table in less than 20 minutes. The air fryer's ability to create a crispy outer crust while keeping the inside tender makes it a great alternative to grilling or pan-searing. This guide will show you how to cook a strip steak to perfection using an air fryer.
Cooking Strip Steak in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Steak Type | New York Strip Steak |
| Steak Temperature Before Cooking | Room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour |
| Steak Preparation | Pat dry with paper towels |
| Steak Seasoning | Salt, pepper, onion, garlic, steak seasoning, or a store-bought steak rub |
| Steak Oil | Olive oil, avocado oil, or butter |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 400°F (200°C) |
| Air Fryer Preparation | Spray with cooking oil |
| Cooking Time | 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through |
| Steak Doneness | Medium rare: 130-135°F (54°C), Medium: 140-145°F, Medium well: 150°F |
| Resting Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Sides | Salad, potatoes, asparagus, green beans, French fries |
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What You'll Learn
Pre-steak prep
Preparing your steak before air frying is a crucial step in the cooking process. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get the best results:
Removing the Steak from the Refrigerator
Take the steak out of the refrigerator 30 minutes to an hour before cooking. This allows the steak to reach room temperature, which is important for even cooking throughout the steak.
Patting the Steak Dry
Use paper towels to pat the steak dry on both sides. This step helps the steak develop a crispy outer crust during the air frying process.
Seasoning the Steak
Brush or rub both sides of the steak with olive oil, avocado oil, or any other neutral oil. You can also use butter to help with seasoning and create a nice sear. Then, season generously with salt and pepper, or a steak seasoning blend of your choice. You can also add other seasonings like minced onion, garlic herb butter, or compound butter. If you want to get creative, try adding a pinch of sugar, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper for a unique flavour profile.
Preheating the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius. This step is important and should not be skipped, as it ensures the steak cooks evenly and properly.
Placing the Steak in the Air Fryer Basket
Carefully place the steak in the air fryer basket, ensuring there is adequate space between multiple steaks for proper airflow. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may only fit one or two steaks at a time.
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Air fryer settings
The air fryer settings you use will depend on the type of steak you are cooking, the level of doneness you prefer, and the specific air fryer you are using. Here are some general guidelines to follow when setting your air fryer:
Firstly, it is important to ensure that your steak has reached room temperature before cooking. Remove the steak from the refrigerator 30 minutes to an hour before cooking and let it sit uncovered at room temperature. This helps the steak cook more evenly.
When you are ready to cook, preheat your air fryer. Most sources recommend preheating to 400 degrees Fahrenheit ( 200 degrees Celsius), but some suggest 420 degrees Fahrenheit for a shorter cooking time. The time it takes for your air fryer to preheat will depend on the model, so refer to the manufacturer's instructions.
Once your air fryer is preheated, place the steak in the basket. It is important to ensure that there is adequate airflow around the steak so that it cooks evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may only be able to fit one or two steaks in the basket without overcrowding. Leave about a quarter to half an inch of space between steaks.
Now, you can set the timer on your air fryer. For a medium-rare steak, cook for about 10 minutes, flipping the steak halfway through. If you prefer your steak medium, cook for a total of 11-12 minutes, and for medium-well, cook for about 13 minutes. Adjust the cooking time as needed depending on the thickness of your steak and your desired level of doneness.
When the timer goes off, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. For a medium-rare steak, the temperature should be 130-135 degrees Fahrenheit, while a medium steak should be 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit. For medium-well, the temperature should be about 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
Finally, remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures a juicy, tender steak.
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Cooking times
The cooking time for your strip steak in an air fryer will depend on your desired level of doneness. For a medium-rare steak, cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check the temperature of the meat before removing it from the air fryer. For a medium-rare steak, an instant-read thermometer inserted into the centre should read 130°F (54°C). If you prefer your steak to be medium, cook for 11-12 minutes, or 13 minutes for medium-well.
If your air fryer does not reach 400°F (200°C), you can cook your steak at 420°F for 8 minutes, then flip and cook for another 4-6 minutes. Alternatively, you can cook at 400°F for 7 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3-5 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness.
If you are reheating a steak, preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Then, add the steak, ensuring that the pieces do not touch if you are reheating more than one. Cook on one side for 3 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until completely heated through.
When cooking steak in an air fryer, it is important not to overcrowd the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may only be able to fit one or two steaks in the basket. This will ensure that the steaks cook evenly and crisp on the outside.
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Internal temperatures
The internal temperature of your steak will depend on how well done you like it. A meat thermometer is the best way to check this.
If you like your steak rare, start testing the temperature after cooking it for three minutes on the second side. For a medium-rare steak, the temperature should be between 130°F and 140°F (54°C and 60°C). For a steak that's closer to rare, aim for 130°F (54°C). If you prefer it more medium, go for 140°F (60°C). A medium-rare steak cooked in an air fryer will take around 10 minutes.
If you like your steak medium, the internal temperature should be between 140°F and 150°F (60°C and 65°C). For a steak that's closer to medium-rare, aim for 140°F (60°C). If you prefer it more well done, go for 150°F (65°C). A medium steak cooked in an air fryer will take around 11-12 minutes.
If you like your steak well done, the internal temperature should be 160°F (71°C). A well-done steak will take around 13 minutes in the air fryer.
It's important to note that the internal temperature of the steak can increase by a few degrees as it rests, so take this into account when checking the temperature.
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Reheating and storing
If you're reheating your steak, set your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the steak in the air fryer, ensuring that the pieces don't touch if you're reheating more than one. Cook on one side for three minutes, then flip and cook for another two or three minutes until completely heated through.
You can also reheat your steak in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or in a non-stick pan until hot.
If you want to store your steak, place the cooked and cooled steak in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to six months.
If you're storing your steak in the fridge before cooking, it's recommended to remove it from the packaging and place it on a plate or cutting board for approximately 30 minutes before air frying to let it reach room temperature. This helps the steak cook more evenly.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking time depends on the level of doneness you prefer. For a medium-rare steak, it should take 10 minutes, while a medium steak should take 11-12 minutes. If you prefer your steak medium-well, it should be cooked for 13 minutes.
Before cooking, remove the steak from its packaging and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Pat the steak dry and brush both sides with oil. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or butter. Season generously with salt and pepper, and add any other seasonings you like.
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius.
The best way to ensure your steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness is to use a meat thermometer. For a medium-rare steak, the internal temperature should be 130-135 degrees Fahrenheit. For a medium steak, the temperature should be 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit, and for a medium-well steak, it should be about 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
