Cody Casey
Cooking steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve a juicy and tender steak with a crispy crust. The air fryer's hot air circulation quickly browns the exterior, creating golden brown edges that mimic a hard sear. The cooking time for a steak in an air fryer depends on the desired level of doneness, the thickness of the steak, and the model of the air fryer. For a medium-rare steak that is 1-inch thick, cooking times range from 8 to 12 minutes, while a well-done steak may take up to 15 minutes. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer for at least 10 minutes and to use a meat probe or instant-read thermometer to check the steak's internal temperature to ensure the desired doneness is achieved.
How long can you cook steak in an air fryer?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Steak Type | Ribeye, New York, Tri-Tip, Porterhouse, Sirloin |
| Steak Thickness | 1-inch thick |
| Steak Weight | 1/2 pound |
| Steak Temperature | Room temperature |
| Oil | Olive oil, butter, or any other neutral oil |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, thyme, parsley, paprika |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 400°F |
| Cooking Time | 10-12 minutes |
| Cooking Time (Medium-Rare) | 10 minutes |
| Cooking Time (Medium) | 12 minutes |
| Cooking Time (Well-Done) | 12-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time (Well-Done) | 20 minutes |
| Flip Time | 5 minutes |
| Rest Time | 5-10 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Steak preparation
Choosing the Steak
Select a steak with a thickness of around 1 inch. Thinner steaks may cook too fast and not brown properly. Choose a porterhouse or sirloin steak with around 1/2 pound weight with no bones, or opt for ribeye, New York strip, t-bone, or filet mignon.
Pre-Cooking
Take the steak out of the fridge 20 to 60 minutes before cooking to let it come to room temperature. This will ensure the steak cooks more evenly and help it be less tough. Dry the steak with kitchen paper or a clean cloth.
Seasoning
Brush or spray the steak with olive oil or another neutral oil. You can also rub Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper on both sides of the steak. Alternatively, you can use a dry rub of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
Air Fryer Setup
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for at least 10 minutes before adding the steaks. If your air fryer has less than 1800 watts of power, it may not brown the steaks as nicely.
Cooking
Place the steaks in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have enough space for airflow to brown properly. For a 1-inch steak cooked to medium-rare, cook for 10 minutes, flipping the steak halfway through. For a medium steak, increase the cooking time to 12 minutes, still flipping halfway. Adjust the cooking time accordingly for thicker or thinner steaks.
Post-Cooking
Remove the steaks from the air fryer and let them rest on a plate, loosely tented with foil, for 5 to 10 minutes. This will prevent the steaks from continuing to cook and allow the juices to redistribute and the muscle fibers to relax, resulting in a more flavoursome and moist steak.
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Air fryer settings
To cook a steak in an air fryer, you should preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for at least 10 minutes before adding the steaks. This ensures that the outside of the steaks gets browned nicely.
The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak and your desired level of doneness. As a general rule, for a 1-inch-thick steak, cook for 10 minutes for medium-rare and 12 minutes for medium, flipping the steak halfway through. Well-done steaks may take up to 15 minutes.
It is recommended to use a meat probe or instant-read thermometer to check the doneness of your steak. For a rare steak, the thickest part of the steak should register 125°F, 130 to 135°F for medium-rare, and 140°F for medium. If your steak is thicker or thinner than 1 inch, adjust the cooking time accordingly.
For optimal results, ensure your steaks are at room temperature before cooking. This helps the steak cook more evenly and reduces the cooking time. Additionally, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow for even airflow and browning.
You can further enhance the flavour and browning of your steak by rubbing it with a small amount of oil and your desired seasonings before cooking.
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Cooking time
The cooking time for steak in an air fryer depends on various factors, including the type of steak, its thickness, and the desired level of doneness. Here is a detailed guide to help you determine the cooking time for your air-fried steak.
Thickness and Type of Steak:
Firstly, it is important to consider the thickness of your steak. Most recipes recommend using steaks that are about 1-inch thick. Thinner steaks may cook too quickly and won't achieve the desired browning. The type of steak also matters; choose cuts like porterhouse, sirloin, ribeye, New York strip, or t-bone, which are well-suited for air frying.
Preheating the Air Fryer:
Before adding your steaks, preheat your air fryer for at least 10 minutes. Set the temperature to 400°F (200°C) to ensure a good sear on the steaks. Preheating is crucial for achieving a nice brown exterior and preventing overcooking.
For a medium-rare steak, the cooking time will vary depending on the source. Some sources suggest cooking a 1-inch thick steak for 10 minutes, flipping it halfway through or at the 5-minute mark. Others recommend cooking it for a slightly shorter time, around 8 to 9 minutes, depending on your air fryer's performance.
If you prefer your steak medium, cook a 1-inch thick steak for 12 minutes, flipping it halfway through or at the 6-minute mark. This timing should give you a nice medium steak every time.
For a well-done steak, increase the cooking time to 12 to 15 minutes. Keep in mind that the timing may vary based on the thickness of your steak and the model of your air fryer. Always use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of your steak. The thickest part of the steak should register 140°F for medium, 130°F to 135°F for medium-rare, and 125°F for rare.
Resting the Steak:
After removing the steak from the air fryer, let it rest on a plate for a few minutes. Tent it loosely with foil to prevent continued cooking. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and flavorful steak.
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Resting the steak
To rest your steak, remove it from the air fryer and place it on a plate, loosely tented with foil. This will prevent the steak from continuing to cook. Leave the steak to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
It is also important to allow your steak to come to room temperature before cooking. Take your steak out of the fridge 20-25 minutes before cooking. This will ensure your steak is less tough and will help it cook evenly.
The resting period is also a good time to finish seasoning your steak. A pinch of salt and black pepper is a simple way to season your steak, but you could also try a garlic herb butter. This can be made by placing 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a bowl and letting it sit out at room temperature to soften. Then, add a small clove of minced garlic, along with some fresh parsley, chives, salt, and pepper. Mix these ingredients together and add to your steak once it has finished resting.
Finally, it is important to note that the resting period is not just about letting the steak rest, but also about letting the meat reach the desired temperature. Use a meat probe or instant-read thermometer to check the temperature of your steak. For a rare steak, the thickest part of the steak should register 125°F, 130 to 135°F for medium-rare, and 140°F for medium. If you are looking for a well-done steak, this will take a good 12 to 15 minutes.
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Serving suggestions
There are many ways to serve your air-fried steak, and you can get as creative as you like. Here are some suggestions:
Sides
Steak pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Classic options include roasted vegetables, such as asparagus or green beans, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad. You could also try air-fried zucchini, garlic mashed potatoes, or baked potatoes. For a refreshing option, serve your steak sliced over mixed greens with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a balsamic vinaigrette.
Sauces and Toppings
You can elevate your dish with sauces or toppings such as chimichurri, garlic butter, blue cheese dressing, or sautéed mushrooms. You could also add a pat of garlic herb butter on top. A simple marinade of soy sauce, olive oil, and herbs is an excellent choice to add flavor and tenderness to your steak.
In a Wrap
For a more casual meal, you could shred or slice your steak and serve it in warm tortillas with pico de gallo, avocado slices, and lime.
Resting and Serving
It is important to let your steak rest for a few minutes after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute and the muscle fibres to relax, making your steak moist and flavoursome. It is also tempting to dig in immediately, but allowing the steak to rest is crucial for optimal juiciness.
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Frequently asked questions
For a 1-inch steak, cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway, for a medium-rare finish.
For a medium finish, cook the steak for 12 minutes, flipping halfway.
Well-done steaks take a good 12 to 15 minutes.
