Air Fryer Steak: Medium-Rare Perfection In Minutes

Air fryers are a quick and easy way to cook a steak to medium-rare. The high heat of the air fryer means less cooking time, resulting in more tender meat. The air fryer is faster than an oven or grill, giving you extra time to prepare side dishes.

To cook a medium-rare steak in an air fryer, you should:

- Allow the steak to reach room temperature before cooking.

- Pat the steak dry and brush with oil.

- Season the steak with salt and pepper, or a dry rub.

- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.

- Place the steak in the fryer and cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

- Remove the steak from the fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes.

How to get the perfect medium-rare steak

Preparation

Firstly, you'll want to select a steak that is about an inch thick. This thickness will ensure that the steak cooks evenly and doesn't dry out. Sirloin is a great option, but you can also use ribeye, New York strip, filet mignon, or T-bone. Take the steaks out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to let them come up to room temperature. Pat the steaks dry with paper towels and rub them with a little olive oil. This will help the steaks develop a nice crust.

Seasoning

Sprinkle salt and pepper generously onto both sides of the steaks. You can also add a dry rub of garlic powder, paprika, and other spices to enhance the flavour and colour.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the steaks in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through. If you don't have an air fryer, you can also cook the steaks in a pan on the stove or on a grill.

Resting

Remove the steaks from the air fryer and let them rest on a plate for at least 10 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute and ensure a juicy, tender steak.

Serving

Slice the steaks against the grain and serve with your favourite sides. Mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, and creamed spinach are all great options. Enjoy your perfect medium-rare steak!

The best cuts of steak for the air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook a juicy, tender steak with a nice sear. Here are some of the best cuts of steak to use:

Ribeye

Ribeye is one of the most popular cuts of beef, known for its rich, buttery flavour and marbling of fat. It comes from the long muscle called longissimus dorsi that runs from the cow's hip to its shoulder. The high fat content means ribeye is a good choice for the air fryer as it won't dry out. It's recommended to cook boneless ribeye in the air fryer, as bone-in can be a little more difficult. Season simply with salt and pepper, and cook for around 15 minutes for medium-well.

New York Strip

Also known as top loin, this cut comes from the short loin of the cow. It has a robust flavour and is more marbled than the tenderloin. It's a good choice for the air fryer as it has a nice balance of fat and flavour. Season with salt, pepper, and olive oil, and cook for around 10-12 minutes for medium-rare.

Sirloin

Sirloin is divided into top sirloin, which is more tender, and bottom sirloin, which is leaner and tougher. Top sirloin is a good choice for the air fryer, and it's recommended to let the meat rest in a marinade first. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, or a dry rub, and cook for around 4 minutes each side for medium-rare.

Filet Mignon

This is a tender, mild-flavoured cut that comes from the loin primal section of the cow. It works well in the air fryer as its soft texture means you can play around with different rubs, marinades, butters and sauces. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F and cook for around 10-12 minutes.

Cube Steak

This cut usually comes from the top or bottom round of the cow and is very lean. It's a good choice for the air fryer but should be marinated first to prevent it from drying out. Use a simple marinade of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, or Worcestershire sauce, and cook for 5-7 minutes.

Flank Steak

Flank steak comes from the abdominal muscle below the cow's chest. It has a tender texture and a mild flavour. It's best cooked rare, medium-rare, or medium in the air fryer, as it can get chewy if overcooked. Season with a spice rub, and cook for around 10 minutes for medium-rare.

How to season your steak

A good seasoning is essential to a great steak. Here are some tips and tricks to help you season your steak to perfection:

• Use a dry rub: A dry rub is essential for adding flavour and colour to your steak, especially if you are using a leaner cut of meat like sirloin. A simple combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika will do the trick. You can also get creative and experiment with other spices and seasonings like mustard powder, onion powder, or smoked paprika.
• Oil: Rubbing or spraying a little oil on your steak will help it brown better and develop a nice crust. Extra virgin olive oil is a good choice for its flavour and high smoke point.
• Bring to room temperature: Take your steaks out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to let them come to room temperature. This ensures more even cooking.
• Pat dry: Before applying oil and seasoning, pat the steaks dry with paper towels. This is an important step to ensure a perfect sear and crust.
• Don't overcrowd: When cooking multiple steaks, make sure they are not overcrowded in the air fryer basket. This allows for proper airflow and even cooking.
• Let it rest: After cooking, transfer your steaks to a plate and let them rest for at least 10 minutes. Tent them loosely with foil to prevent them from continuing to cook.

Now that you know how to season your steak, it's time to fire up that air fryer! Remember to adjust the cooking time based on your desired doneness and the thickness of your steaks. For a 1-inch-thick steak, cook for 10 minutes for medium-rare and 12 minutes for medium, flipping the steak halfway through.

How long to rest your steak for

Resting your steak is a critical step in the cooking process. This allows the juices to solidify a bit, rather than running straight out when you cut into it. Giving your steak enough time to rest after cooking also gives the juices time to reincorporate back into the meat, resulting in a more tender and juicy steak.

As a general rule, you should let your steak rest for about 10 minutes before slicing into it. This is the case whether you're cooking your steak in an air fryer, oven, grill, or pan. However, some recipes recommend letting the steak rest for up to 15 minutes.

During the resting process, it's important to keep the steak loosely covered with foil to prevent it from continuing to cook. This will ensure that your steak stays at the desired level of doneness, whether that's rare, medium-rare, medium, or well-done.

Additionally, it's worth noting that the resting time can vary depending on the thickness of your steak. Thicker steaks may require a longer resting time, while thinner steaks might need less time. However, as a rule of thumb, 10 minutes is a good starting point for resting your steak to ensure optimal flavour and texture.

What to serve with your steak

Steak is a versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of sides to create a delicious and indulgent meal. Here are some ideas for what to serve with your steak:

Potatoes

Potatoes are a classic side dish for steak, and for good reason. They come in many forms and can be prepared in a variety of ways. Here are some potato-based sides to consider:

• Baked potatoes
• Smashed potatoes
• Mashed potatoes
• Scalloped potatoes
• Potato skins
• French fries
• Potato wedges
• Sweet potato wedges
• Crispy roasted Parmesan potatoes
• Syracuse salt potatoes

Vegetables

Vegetables are a great way to add some colour and nutrition to your plate. Here are some vegetable-based sides that would pair well with steak:

• Roasted asparagus
• Roasted broccoli
• Green beans almondine
• Brussels sprouts
• Garlic-Parmesan roasted carrots
• Honey-roasted carrots
• Roasted cauliflower
• Air fryer mushrooms and onions
• Grilled corn on the cob
• Smoked corn on the cob

Salads

A fresh salad can help to balance out your meal and provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the steak. Here are some salad options to consider:

• Arugula salad
• Spinach salad
• Grilled peach salad
• Grilled romaine Caesar wedge
• Tomato salad
• Summer couscous salad
• Caprese salad
• Beet salad

Breads

Buttery bread is a delicious addition to any meal and can help to round out your steak dinner. Here are some bread-based sides to try:

• Texas Roadhouse rolls
• Garlic bread
• Italian bread
• French baguette

Other Carbs

If you're looking for something a little more indulgent, why not try one of these carb-loaded sides:

• Mac and cheese
• Baked risotto
• Cheesy kale orzo
• Pasta
• Rice

Other Ideas

• Onion rings
• Stuffed Portobello mushrooms
• Elote (Mexican-style corn on the cob)
• Coleslaw

Frequently asked questions