Air-Frying Sirloin Steak: How Long Does It Take?

Air fryers are a quick and easy way to cook a juicy and tender sirloin steak without the mess of a grill or frying pan. This guide will take you through the steps to cook the perfect air-fried sirloin steak, including pre-cooking preparation, cooking times and temperatures, and serving suggestions.

How to get to room temperature before cooking

Allowing your steak to reach room temperature before cooking is a crucial step in preparing your meat. This process ensures that your steak cooks evenly, resulting in a juicy and tender texture. Here are some detailed instructions to guide you through the process:

Timing is Key

Remove your steak from the refrigerator 30 minutes to one hour before cooking. This timing allows the steak to reach room temperature gradually. Aim for at least 30 minutes, as this duration provides enough time for the steak to lose its chill. However, leaving it out for an hour is also acceptable if that better suits your preparation schedule.

Temperature Considerations

The ideal room temperature for steak preparation is approximately 70°F (21°C). If your kitchen is significantly colder or hotter, adjust your timing accordingly. For instance, if your kitchen is particularly cold, you may need to extend the time to ensure the steak loses its chill.

Safety First

It is important to note that leaving steak at room temperature for extended periods can pose food safety risks. Therefore, it is generally recommended to not exceed one hour at room temperature. Additionally, ensure your steak is not exposed to direct sunlight or other heat sources, as this can dry out the meat and affect its texture.

The Science Behind

The reason for bringing steak to room temperature relates to the cooking process and desired doneness. When a cold steak is placed in an air fryer or on a grill, the outer edges will cook faster than the centre, resulting in an uneven cook. By allowing the steak to reach room temperature, you minimise this temperature gradient, promoting more even cooking.

Other Benefits

In addition to even cooking, allowing your steak to rest promotes better browning. This is because the moisture on the surface of the steak has time to evaporate, leading to a better sear and a more attractive crust formation.

Don't Forget to Pat Dry

Before placing your steak in the air fryer, ensure you pat it dry with paper towels. This step helps to remove any excess moisture, further enhancing the browning process and resulting in a beautiful crust.

By following these simple steps, you will set your steak up for success, ensuring it cooks evenly and develops a mouthwatering crust. Now you're ready to fire up that air fryer!

How to season your steak

Why Seasoning is Important

Air frying a steak helps create a thick, crunchy crust, which is even tastier when it's well-seasoned. Since you're not marinating the steak, seasoning adds flavour and guarantees a tasty result.

What to Use

You can use a variety of spices and seasonings to suit your taste. A simple combination of salt and pepper will work, or you could add garlic powder and paprika for extra flavour. Other options include Italian seasoning, fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme and parsley, or a specific steak seasoning blend.

How to Apply

Combine your chosen spices in a small bowl and then spray or brush the steak with olive oil. Coat both sides of the steak with the spices.

Don't Overcrowd

Make sure there's enough space in the air fryer basket for the air to circulate evenly around the steak. This will ensure an even cook and browning.

Resting

Once cooked, remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest on a plate, loosely covered with foil, for at least 5 minutes. This will ensure the juices are retained and the steak stays tender.

Final Seasoning

After resting, you can finish the steak with a final pinch of salt and pepper, if desired, before slicing and serving.

How long to cook your steak for

The cooking time for your sirloin steak will depend on the thickness of the steak and your desired level of doneness. As a general rule, thicker steaks will take longer to cook than thinner ones, and for the same thickness of steak, a higher level of doneness will take longer to achieve.

For a 1-inch-thick steak, cooking times are as follows:

• Rare: 5 minutes
• Medium-rare: 7 minutes
• Medium: 10 minutes
• Medium-well: 13 minutes
• Well-done: 15 minutes

For a 1.5-inch-thick steak, cooking times are as follows:

• Rare: 7 minutes
• Medium-rare: 10 minutes
• Medium: 13 minutes
• Medium-well: 15 minutes
• Well-done: 17 minutes

For a 2-inch-thick steak, cooking times are as follows:

• Rare: 9 minutes
• Medium-rare: 13 minutes
• Medium: 15 minutes
• Medium-well: 17 minutes
• Well-done: 19 minutes

It is worth noting that these cooking times are approximate and may vary depending on the cut of steak and the model of your air fryer. To ensure your steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness, it is recommended to use a meat probe or kitchen thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. The desired internal temperatures for different levels of doneness are as follows:

• Rare: 125°F
• Medium-rare: 135°F
• Medium: 145°F
• Medium-well: 150°F
• Well-done: 160°F

Additionally, it is important to let your steak rest for at least 5 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute and solidify, resulting in a juicier and more flavorful steak.

How to know when your steak is cooked

Knowing when your steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness is a matter of checking its internal temperature with a meat thermometer and visually inspecting its colour. The internal temperature will continue to rise by 5–10°F as the steak rests, so it's important to take it out of the air fryer 5°F before your desired level of doneness is reached.

Steak Doneness Chart

• Rare: remove from the air fryer at 115°F; let it rest for 5 minutes and it will rise to 120°F.
• Medium-rare: remove from the air fryer at 125°F; let it rest for 5 minutes and it will rise to 130°F.
• Medium: remove from the air fryer at 130–135°F; let it rest for 5 minutes and it will rise to 135–140°F.
• Medium-well: remove from the air fryer at 135°F; let it rest for 5 minutes and it will rise to 140°F.
• Well-done: remove from the air fryer at 145°F; let it rest for 5 minutes and it will rise to 150°F.

Visual Indicators of Steak Doneness

In addition to checking the internal temperature, you can also assess the doneness of your steak by looking at its colour:

• Rare steak: bright red centre with a warm outer pink hue.
• Medium-rare steak: light pink centre with a reddish outer ring.
• Medium steak: pale pink centre with a thin brown outer ring.
• Medium-well steak: pale brown throughout with a hint of pink in the very centre.
• Well-done steak: uniformly brown throughout with no signs of pink.

Tips for Cooking Steak in an Air Fryer

• Allow the steak to come to room temperature before cooking: this ensures even cooking.
• Season generously: air frying creates a thick, crunchy crust, which is enhanced by a generous seasoning of salt and pepper.
• Rest the steak before slicing: let the steak rest for about 10 to 15 minutes after removing it from the air fryer to allow the juices to solidify and redistribute.
• Flip the steak: it is recommended to flip the steak at least once during cooking to ensure even cooking.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket: cook in batches if needed to ensure proper airflow and even cooking.

How to store and reheat your steak

Now that you know how long to cook your sirloin steak in an air fryer, it's important to learn how to store and reheat it properly to ensure maximum taste and texture.

Storing Your Steak

According to the USDA, cooked steak will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to four days when stored properly. To do this, place your steak in a shallow airtight container or plastic zipper bag.

Reheating Your Steak in an Air Fryer

The air fryer is an excellent appliance for reheating steak, as it can restore that delicious, light crisp on the outside while keeping the meat tender and juicy. Here are some tips for optimal results:

• Allow the steak to reach room temperature before reheating. Taking it out of the fridge about 30 minutes beforehand will help it cook more quickly and evenly, reducing the risk of drying out the meat.
• Slicing the steak before reheating can also help it cook more evenly and reduce the chances of overcooking.
• Preheat your air fryer to ensure even heating.
• For rare or medium-rare steak, be aware that consuming leftovers that haven't been sufficiently heated carries a risk of foodborne illness. The USDA recommends reheating leftovers to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure your steak reaches the desired temperature without overcooking.
• Let the steak rest for a few minutes after reheating. Wrapping it in aluminium foil will help keep it warm during this time.
• Avoid reheating more steak than you will finish in one sitting, as it won't taste as good if reheated multiple times.

Reheating Times and Temperatures

The time and temperature for reheating your steak will depend on its thickness and your desired level of doneness. Here are some general guidelines:

• For a 1-inch thick steak, reheat at 350°F for 3-5 minutes for medium-rare, and 5-7 minutes for medium.
• For thicker or thinner steaks, adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• If your steak isn't heated enough after the initial reheat, add 2-3 minutes at 320°F to avoid overcooking.

Frequently asked questions