Air Fryer Steak Perfection: 400 Degrees, How Long?

Cooking steak in an air fryer is a convenient and effective way to achieve a juicy, tender, and tasty steak. The air fryer's high temperature and air circulation ensure a crispy crust and a medium-rare or medium steak, with minimal effort and mess.

To cook a steak in an air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, you'll need to preheat the air fryer, season the steak, and then cook it for around 10-12 minutes, flipping it halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak and your desired level of doneness. For a 1-inch thick steak, cook for 10 minutes for medium-rare and 12 minutes for medium.

Letting the steak come to room temperature before cooking and patting it dry will help ensure even cooking and a good sear. Additionally, using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak is the best way to ensure your desired doneness.

How to prepare your steak for the air fryer

Preparing a steak for the air fryer is simple and easy. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the perfect air-fried steak:

Step 1: Choose the Right Steak

Selecting the right cut of steak is crucial for achieving the best results. Opt for thicker steaks, ideally with a thickness of 1 inch or more. Good options include porterhouse, sirloin, New York strip, ribeye, t-bone, top sirloin, and filet mignon. Avoid thinly sliced steaks, as they can overcook quickly and become chewy.

Step 2: Prepare the Steak

Take your steak out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature. This step is important, as it ensures the steak cooks evenly. Aim for at least 30 minutes to an hour at room temperature before cooking.

Step 3: Pat the Steak Dry

Use paper towels to pat the steak dry on both sides. This step helps remove excess moisture, which can affect the browning process.

Step 4: Season the Steak

Now, it's time to season your steak. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with various seasonings and spices. Here are some ideas:

• Italian seasoning
• Kosher salt and black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika
• Red pepper flakes
• Cayenne pepper
• Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, parsley, or oregano

You can also try a dry rub or marinate your steak in a dressing for extra flavour.

Step 5: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is ideal for achieving a good sear on the steak.

Step 6: Cook the Steak

Place the steak in the air fryer and cook for 10-12 minutes for a medium steak, flipping it halfway through the cooking time. For a medium-rare steak, cook for 10 minutes, and for a well-done steak, aim for 12-15 minutes.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Once the steak is cooked to your desired doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for about 8-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Following these steps will help you prepare and cook your steak to perfection in the air fryer, resulting in a juicy and tender steak with a delicious crust. Enjoy!

How long to air fry steak for a medium-rare finish

Air frying steak is a convenient way to ensure your steak is juicy and cooked to your liking. The air fryer's high temperature and even airflow make it possible to get a good sear on the outside while keeping the inside cooked to your desired doneness.

To achieve a medium-rare finish, you should air fry your steak for around 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, flipping the steak halfway through the cooking time. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak, with thicker cuts requiring slightly longer cooking times. As a rule of thumb, a 1-inch thick steak will take around 10 minutes for a medium-rare finish.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model, so it is always a good idea to keep an eye on your steak to ensure it doesn't overcook. Additionally, it is recommended to let the steak rest for about 5 to 10 minutes after cooking to retain its juices and allow the internal temperature to even out.

Step 1: Prepare the Steak

Let your steak come to room temperature before cooking, as this will ensure more even cooking. Pat the steak dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture, which can prevent a good sear from forming. You can also chop off any visible areas of fat to avoid chewy bits on your steak.

Step 2: Season the Steak

Coat both sides of the steak with a thin layer of olive oil or another neutral oil. This will help the steak brown better and develop a nice crust. Season the steak with kosher salt and black pepper, or any other steak seasoning blend of your choice. You can also add other spices and herbs like garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, or smoked paprika to enhance the flavour.

Step 3: Air Fry the Steak

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the steak in the air fryer and cook for about 10 minutes, flipping it halfway through. If you are using a meat thermometer, aim for an internal temperature between 130°F and 140°F for a medium-rare steak.

Step 4: Rest and Serve

Remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest on a plate for about 5 to 10 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute and ensure a juicy, tender steak. After resting, your steak is ready to be served and enjoyed!

By following these steps, you should be able to achieve a perfectly cooked medium-rare steak using your air fryer. Enjoy your delicious and juicy steak with your favourite sides and toppings!

How to get a good sear on your steak

A good sear on your steak is all about browning and getting a nice crust. Here are some tips for achieving that perfect sear with your air fryer:

Choose the right steak

The thicker the steak, the better the sear. This is because a thicker steak gives the outside enough time to develop a sear while keeping the inside at your desired level of doneness. Choose a steak that is at least 1 inch thick.

Temperature

Set your air fryer to a high temperature of 400°F. This will help to create a crispy crust on the outside of your steak while keeping the inside juicy.

Timing

How long you cook your steak for will depend on your desired level of doneness. As a guide, rare steaks should be cooked for 6-8 minutes, medium-rare for 8-10 minutes, medium for 10-12 minutes, medium-well for 12-14 minutes, and well-done for 14-16 minutes.

Flip halfway through

For even cooking and a good sear on both sides, flip your steak halfway through the cooking time.

Rest

Allow your steak to rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking. This will help retain the juices and give you a juicy, tender steak.

Dry brine

Dry brining helps with browning and flavour. To do this, sprinkle salt on both sides of your steak while it comes up to room temperature before cooking. This will draw out moisture and replace it with a salt solution, enhancing the flavour and adding depth.

Oil

Although oil is not necessary when cooking steak in an air fryer, a little olive oil or avocado oil rubbed on the steak can help with browning.

Don't overcrowd

Make sure there is enough space between your steaks for airflow to cook evenly. If needed, cook the steaks in batches.

Seasonings

In addition to salt, you can use a variety of seasonings to enhance the flavour of your steak. Try black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, or a steak rub.

How to ensure your steak is juicy

Cooking steak in an air fryer is a convenient way to achieve juicy results. Here are some tips to ensure your steak stays juicy:

Choose the Right Cut of Steak

Select a steak that is at least 1-inch thick. Thinner steaks are more prone to overcooking and may become chewy. Recommended cuts include porterhouse, sirloin, New York strip, ribeye, t-bone, top sirloin, and filet mignon.

Prepare the Steak

Allow your steaks to reach room temperature before cooking, as this promotes even cooking. Pat the steaks dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which can lead to steaming instead of browning. Chop off any visible areas of fat to prevent tough, chewy bits after cooking.

Seasoning

A little oil rubbed on the steaks helps with browning. You can use olive oil or another neutral oil. However, avoid overcrowding the air fryer to ensure proper airflow. Leave some space between the steaks if needed, and cook in batches.

You can season the steaks simply with salt and pepper, or get creative with other spices and seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, or a store-bought steak rub. Dry brining with kosher salt can also enhance juiciness and flavour.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the steaks in the air fryer and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. The thicker the steak, the longer it will take to cook. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and doneness according to your preference.

Resting

After cooking, let the steaks rest on a plate for about 5-10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and helps retain moisture.

Serving

For a decadent touch, top the steak with a pat of garlic herb butter. Serve with side dishes such as salad, potatoes, asparagus, green beans, or French fries.

How to store leftover steak

Leftover steak? Lucky you! Now, let's make sure we store it properly so that it stays as fresh as possible. Here are some tips to ensure your leftover steak retains its flavour and texture:

Cool it Down

First, let your steak cool down adequately. Don't let this cooling period last more than two hours for food safety reasons.

Portion it Out

Next, cut, dice, or slice your steak as desired. This will make it easier to store and also help the steak cool down faster.

Seal it Up

Place your steak in an airtight container or wrap it tightly. You can use heavy-duty foil or plastic wrap, or even better, use a vacuum sealer to keep juices locked in and air out. If you don't have a vacuum sealer, you can wrap the steak in freezer paper, which is a thick, coated plastic paper that can also lock in moisture and keep air out.

Store it Right

If using an airtight container, choose a shallow one. If using freezer paper, wrap each piece of meat individually and tightly, then place them in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Lay the bag on a flat surface and squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing it closed.

For refrigerator storage, place the steak on the bottom shelf of your fridge to prevent any juices from potentially leaking out and contaminating other foods. Make sure the meat lays flat in one layer with room around it for air to circulate and keep it cold.

Know the Limits

Generally, leftover steak is safe in the fridge for about three days. If you don't think you'll eat it within this time frame, it's best to place it in the freezer. Properly stored, cooked steak will last for 2 to 3 months in the freezer and will remain safe beyond that time, although it may start to dry out.

Reheat with Care

Avoid reheating your steak in the microwave, as this can dry out the meat. Instead, check out guides for reheating steak so you can enjoy juicy, tender meat just like the first time!

Frequently asked questions