Air Fryer Steak: The Perfect Timing For A Tender Cut

Cooking steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve a juicy, tender steak with a crispy crust. The air fryer method is also healthier than traditional cooking methods, as it reduces the cooking time and fat content without sacrificing flavour.

To cook a steak in an air fryer, you should first preheat the air fryer to around 200°C or 400°F. Then, rub oil, salt, and pepper on the steaks and place them in the air fryer. For a 1-inch-thick steak, cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through. For a medium-rare steak, cook for 10 minutes, and for a medium steak, cook for 12 minutes. Well-done steaks will take a little longer at 12 to 15 minutes. Finally, let the steak rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.

Steak type: Choose from porterhouse, sirloin, ribeye, New York strip, t-bone, top sirloin, or filet mignon

The air fryer is a great way to cook steak, searing the outside and keeping the inside tender and juicy. Here is a guide to cooking different cuts of steak in an air fryer:

Porterhouse Steak

A porterhouse steak is a "composite cut", combining two different loins of the cow: the top loin (New York strip) and the tenderloin (filet mignon). It is considered the king of all cuts of beef and is usually a large steak.

To cook a porterhouse steak in an air fryer, first, let the steak rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for 5 minutes. Rub both sides of the steak with olive oil or melted butter, then season generously with salt, pepper, and steak seasoning. Place the steaks in the air fryer basket and cook for 6 minutes on each side. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

T-Bone Steak

A T-bone steak is a thick, bone-in cut of beef that combines the smaller filet mignon and the New York strip. It is one of the most popular bone-in cuts of steak.

To cook a T-bone steak in an air fryer, first, let the steak come to room temperature. Brush both sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the steak in the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees with full air circulation. Use a meat thermometer to check the steak regularly, starting at the 4-minute mark. Thinner steaks can be medium-rare within 4 to 5 minutes, while thicker steaks will take longer. Let the steak rest for 2 to 3 minutes before eating.

New York Strip Steak

A New York strip steak is a good choice for the air fryer.

To cook a New York strip steak in an air fryer, first, remove the steaks from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature (around 30 minutes). Pat the steaks dry and sprinkle with your choice of seasoning on both sides. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Spray both sides of the steaks with olive oil cooking spray. Place the steaks in the air fryer and cook for about 10 minutes for medium-rare, turning halfway through. Check the temperature before removing from the air fryer—for medium-rare, an instant-read thermometer should read 130 degrees F. Let the steak rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

Sirloin Steak

Sirloin steak is another good choice for the air fryer.

To cook a sirloin steak in an air fryer, first, take the steaks out of the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking. Pat them dry, then drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning (optional). Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for 5 minutes. When the air fryer is preheated, put the steaks in the basket and air fry for about 7 minutes, flipping halfway through, for medium-rare doneness. Transfer the steaks to a plate and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving. Top with garlic herb butter for extra flavor.

Ribeye Steak

Ribeye steak is a delicious, juicy, and tender cut of beef that works well in the air fryer.

To cook a ribeye steak in an air fryer, first, let the steaks come to room temperature for about 15 minutes. Season the steaks with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil, then add the steaks. You may need to cook them one at a time, depending on the size of your air fryer. Lightly spray the tops of the steaks. Air fry for 6 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes for medium-rare. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the steaks—use a meat thermometer to check for your desired level of doneness. Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes before serving. Top with butter and fresh parsley, if desired.

Filet Mignon

Filet mignon is a tender and lean cut of steak that can be cooked to perfection in the air fryer.

To cook filet mignon in an air fryer, first, bring the steaks to room temperature (around 30 minutes). Trim any extra tissue or fat from the steaks and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Place the steaks in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching, and cook until they reach your desired doneness. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the steaks—for 1.5-inch steaks, cook for 10-12 minutes for rare, 11-13 minutes for medium-rare, 12-14 minutes for medium, and so on. Top the steaks with garlic butter and let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Thickness: Steaks should be at least 1 inch thick; thinner steaks cook too fast

When cooking steak in an air fryer, it's important to consider the thickness of your steak. Steaks that are too thin will cook too quickly and won't achieve the desired level of doneness. For this reason, it's recommended that steaks be at least 1 inch thick before being cooked in an air fryer.

Thinner steaks tend to overcook and become chewy. They don't have enough time to brown properly and often end up overcooked and dry. By ensuring your steak is at least 1 inch thick, you allow it to cook more slowly and evenly, resulting in a juicy and tender steak with a nice sear on the outside.

The cooking time for your steak will depend on the thickness of the cut. Thicker steaks will require a longer cooking time, while thinner steaks will be done more quickly. As a general guideline, for a 1-inch-thick steak, cook it in the air fryer for around 10 to 12 minutes for a medium-rare to medium doneness. If you prefer your steak well done, you may need to add a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time.

It's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the model of your air fryer, as different models can yield different results. Additionally, it's always a good idea to let your steak come to room temperature before cooking and to pat it dry before seasoning to ensure the best results.

By following these guidelines and adjusting the cooking time based on the thickness of your steak, you can ensure that your steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness and that you avoid overcooking or undercooking it.

Temperature: Let the steaks reach room temperature before cooking

Allowing your steaks to reach room temperature before cooking is a crucial step in the air-frying process. This step ensures your steak is tender and juicy, and it also helps the steaks cook evenly.

Steak is best when it's juicy and tender, and letting it come to room temperature before cooking helps achieve that. This is because the steak will be less tough if it's not too cold when it hits the hot air of the fryer. Giving it some time to sit out of the fridge—around 20 to 30 minutes—will ensure it cooks more evenly, resulting in a more consistent texture and doneness throughout the cut of meat.

The room-temperature steak will also help maintain the integrity of the muscle fibres, which can tighten and toughen when exposed to extreme temperature changes. By letting the steak rest, you give the muscle fibres a chance to relax, resulting in a more tender bite.

Additionally, the room-temperature steak will allow the heat from the air fryer to penetrate the meat more effectively. This results in a steak that is cooked more evenly, with a perfect crust and a juicy interior.

In conclusion, letting your steaks reach room temperature before air frying is essential for achieving the best results in terms of texture, doneness, and flavour. This simple step can elevate your steak-cooking game and ensure your steaks are consistently mouth-wateringly delicious.

Spacing: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer for even cooking

When cooking steak in an air fryer, it's important to avoid overcrowding the appliance to ensure even cooking. Here are some tips to avoid overcrowding and achieve the best results:

First, understand the capacity of your air fryer. Most air fryer baskets have enough room to comfortably cook two servings of meat or four servings of vegetables. It may be tempting to stack food or squish it together to cook more at once, but this will compromise the cooking quality.

Second, provide adequate space around the air fryer itself. It's recommended to set up your air fryer with at least five inches of space on all sides to ensure proper airflow and convection. This is crucial for achieving the desired crispness in your food.

Third, cook in batches if you have a larger quantity of food. Air fryers excel at cooking small batches quickly, so it's better to cook in multiple batches than overcrowd the basket. This will also help maintain even cooking and prevent steaming, which can affect the desired texture of your steak.

Fourth, follow the manufacturer's recommendations for loading food into your specific air fryer model. Different models may have varying capacities and requirements for optimal airflow. Always refer to the user manual for the most accurate guidance.

By following these tips, you'll ensure that your steak cooks evenly and achieves the desired crispy texture that air fryers are known for. Remember, it's better to cook in multiple batches and maintain proper spacing than to overcrowd your air fryer.

Resting: Let the steaks rest for a few minutes after cooking

Resting your steak is an essential step in the cooking process. It allows the meat to relax and the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and juicy cut. During cooking, the muscle fibres in the meat constrict, pushing the juices towards the centre. If you cut into the steak immediately after cooking, these juices will pour out, leaving the steak dry and flavourless. By letting the meat rest, the muscle fibres relax and the juices are slowly released and redistributed, resulting in a moist and flavourful steak.

The resting time for steak depends on its thickness and weight. A good rule of thumb is to rest thinner cuts of meat for a minimum of 5-7 minutes and thicker cuts for 10-20 minutes. Alternatively, you can rest the steak for 5 minutes per inch of thickness, 10 minutes per pound, or 1 minute for every 100 grams. For smaller cuts, like steaks, it is recommended to rest the meat for half the time it took to cook. For example, if it took 20 minutes to cook a steak, it should rest for 10 minutes. Larger cuts, like roasts, should be covered with foil and rested for 15-30 minutes, depending on the size of the roast.

When resting a steak, it is important to remove it from the heat and transfer it to a warm area, such as the top of the stove. Do not cover smaller cuts with aluminium foil, as this will trap the heat and continue the cooking process. Instead, loosely tent the steak with foil to keep it warm.

Resting meat is not only important for steak but also for other types of meat, including chicken, lamb, pork, and even some fish. It is a simple step that can make a big difference in the final quality of the dish, ensuring that the meat is juicy and flavourful.

Frequently asked questions