Air-Fryer Ribeye: Perfect Timing For Tender Steak

Cooking ribeye steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious, juicy, and tender steak. The cooking time depends on the level of doneness you prefer and the thickness of your steak. As a guide, a medium-rare steak should be cooked for around 10 minutes, and a well-done steak for around 15 minutes. It's important to use a meat thermometer to ensure your steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of cooking a ribeye steak. By preheating the appliance to 400°F, you create the ideal conditions for cooking your steak to perfection. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the best results:

Step 1: Understand the Importance of Preheating

Preheating your air fryer to 400°F is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it ensures that your steak cooks evenly, creating a nice sear on the outside while maintaining a juicy texture inside. Secondly, preheating helps you achieve the desired doneness more accurately. Whether you prefer your steak rare, medium-rare, or well done, preheating sets the optimal initial temperature for cooking.

Step 2: Prepare the Air Fryer

To preheat your air fryer to 400°F, start by setting the temperature dial or digital controls to the desired temperature. Allow the air fryer a few minutes to reach the set temperature. Most air fryers will have a preheat light or indicator to let you know when it's ready. If your air fryer doesn't have this feature, simply set a timer for 2-3 minutes after turning it on.

Step 3: Season Your Steak

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your steak. Start by bringing your steak to room temperature for about 15 minutes. Then, pat it dry with a paper towel. Seasoning is a matter of personal preference, but a simple combination of salt, pepper, and garlic powder works well. You can also use a steak rub or your favourite spices. Don't be afraid to experiment with different seasonings to find your favourite flavour profile.

Step 4: Place the Steak in the Air Fryer

Once the air fryer has preheated to 400°F, it's time to place the steak inside. Make sure there is enough space around the steak for the hot air to circulate. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to cook one steak at a time. You can also spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil or another high-smoke-point oil to prevent sticking and add a bit of extra flavour.

Step 5: Adjust Timing and Temperature

The cooking time will depend on your desired doneness and the thickness of your steak. For a medium-rare steak, cook for about 5-6 minutes per side, flipping halfway through. If you prefer your steak more well done, increase the cooking time by a minute or two on each side. Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your steak to ensure it's cooked to your liking.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

After air frying, let your steak rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and tender steak. Top your steak with a pat of butter and some fresh herbs like chives or parsley for added flavour and a gourmet touch.

Season the steak

Seasoning your steak is a key step in the cooking process and can be done in a variety of ways. Firstly, you should always season generously with salt and pepper, or your chosen steak rub. You can also add other seasonings such as garlic salt, chilli powder, or a McCormick Steak Rub.

One method to season your steak is to brush the meat with olive oil, coating both sides. This helps to crisp the steak and add flavour. You can then season the steak with salt and pepper, or your chosen rub.

Another way to season your steak is to marinate the meat. Combine your steaks with soy sauce, olive oil, and seasoning in a large resealable bag. Leave the meat to marinate for at least 2 hours, then remove the steaks from the bag and discard the marinade. Pat any excess oil off the steaks before cooking.

If you want to keep things simple, you can just season your steak with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. This method lets the flavour of the meat shine through without being overwhelmed by seasonings.

Finally, you can make a compound butter to put on top of your steak after cooking. Combine butter with blue cheese, or roasted garlic for a delicious garlic butter.

Air fry for 12 minutes

Air frying your ribeye steak for 12 minutes will give you a medium steak. This timing assumes that you are cooking your steak at 400 degrees Fahrenheit and that you flip your steak halfway through.

The cooking time for a steak in an air fryer will depend on the thickness of the steak and your desired level of doneness. A medium-rare steak will take around 10 minutes to cook, while a medium-well steak will take around 14 minutes. Well-done steaks will need to be cooked for 15-17 minutes.

It is important to use an instant meat thermometer to ensure your steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness. For a medium steak, you are aiming for an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

To get a good sear on your steak, it is important to preheat your air fryer before adding the steak. You should also let your steak rest for at least 5 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to settle and ensure a juicy, tender steak.

Let the steak rest

Once your steak is cooked, it's important to let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This is a crucial step in ensuring your steak is juicy and tender. Here's why:

Redistribution of Juices

When you remove the steak from the air fryer, let it sit outside the basket to avoid overcooking. The steak will continue to cook for a short period due to residual heat. By letting it rest, you allow the juices to redistribute throughout the steak, resulting in a nice and juicy texture.

Avoiding Overcooking

Leaving the steak in the air fryer basket after cooking will result in overcooking. To prevent this, take the steak out and place it on a plate or cutting board. Tent it loosely with foil to keep it warm while it rests. This way, you can maintain the desired doneness level you achieved during cooking.

Optimal Resting Time

The optimal resting time for a steak depends on its thickness and the desired doneness. For a medium-rare steak, a resting time of 5 minutes is usually sufficient. However, for thicker steaks or if you prefer a more well-done steak, you may need to rest it for up to 10 minutes. This allows the juices to settle and the steak to reach its ideal temperature.

Serving Suggestions

While the steak is resting, you can prepare some delicious toppings and sides. Top your steak with a pat of garlic butter, your favorite steak sauce, or a compound butter made with blue cheese or herbs. For sides, consider air-fried vegetables like broccoli, cabbage steaks, or mushrooms, or potatoes. These simple sides complement the steak without overwhelming its flavor.

Final Thoughts

Letting your steak rest after air frying is a crucial step in the cooking process. It ensures your steak stays juicy and tender, and it gives you time to prepare toppings and sides. Remember to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and adjust the resting time as needed. Enjoy your perfectly cooked air-fried ribeye steak!

Serve with garlic butter

To serve your ribeye steak with garlic butter, you can make your own garlic butter by mixing butter with parsley, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and salt. Roll the mixture into a log shape with parchment paper and refrigerate until you are ready to use it.

After cooking your steak, top it with a pat of butter and some minced chives or parsley. You can also make a compound butter with roasted garlic, or blue cheese, or substitute roasted garlic for the blue cheese.

Frequently asked questions