Air Fryer Steak: Perfect 2-Inch Cut, Quick!

Cooking steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak and how well done you like it. For a 2-inch steak, you can expect to cook it for around 12-14 minutes for a medium steak, and 14-16 minutes for a well-done steak.

The thicker the steak, the longer the cooking time

It's important to note that the cooking time will also depend on your desired level of doneness. For a rare steak, you'll need to cook it for a shorter amount of time, while a well-done steak will take longer. For example, a 1.5-inch steak takes around 10-12 minutes for rare, 11-13 minutes for medium-rare, 12-14 minutes for medium, 13-15 minutes for medium-well, and 14-16 minutes for well-done.

To ensure your steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness, it's recommended to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the steak will give you a more accurate indication of its doneness than the cooking time alone. For rare steak, the internal temperature should be 120 degrees F (52 degrees C), for medium-rare it should be 130 degrees F (54 degrees C), for medium it should be 140 degrees F (60 degrees C), for medium-well it should be 150 degrees F (66 degrees C), and for well-done it should be 160 degrees F (71 degrees C).

Additionally, it's important to note that different air fryer models may vary slightly in cooking time. Therefore, it's always a good idea to check the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations for cooking steak in your specific air fryer model.

Resting time

The resting time for a 2-inch steak cooked in an air fryer may vary slightly depending on the desired doneness and the specific model of your air fryer. For a steak cooked to medium or medium-well, a resting time of 10 minutes is generally recommended. However, if you prefer your steak to be cooked to a different temperature, you may need to adjust the resting time accordingly.

It is worth noting that the cooking time for a 2-inch steak in an air fryer will be longer than the times provided in most recipes, as they typically refer to 1-inch or 1.5-inch steaks. As a rule of thumb, thicker steaks will require a longer cooking time. Therefore, it is important to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your steak and ensure it has reached the desired doneness before removing it from the air fryer and allowing it to rest.

By following the recommended cooking times, using a meat thermometer, and allowing for adequate resting time, you can ensure that your 2-inch steak cooked in an air fryer will be juicy, tender, and cooked to your desired doneness.

How to season the steak

The cooking time for a 2-inch steak in an air fryer will depend on how well you like your steak done. As a general rule, the thicker the steak, the longer the cooking time. For a 1-inch steak, it takes about 10 minutes to cook to medium/medium-well. For a 1.5-inch steak, it takes about 10-12 minutes for rare, 11-13 minutes for medium-rare, 12-14 minutes for medium, 13-15 minutes for medium-well, or 14-16 minutes for well done. Therefore, for a 2-inch steak, you can expect the cooking time to be longer than this.

Now, for seasoning the steak, you can follow these steps:

• Pat the steak dry with paper towels.
• Brush both sides of the steak with oil. You can use melted butter or olive oil.
• Season both sides of the steak generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Ensure even coverage.
• For extra flavour, you can use a specific steak seasoning, such as Montreal steak seasoning.
• Alternatively, you can combine your own spices in a small bowl and coat both sides of the steak with the mixture.
• You can also add a pat of garlic butter on top of the steak after cooking.

How to arrange the steak in the air fryer

To arrange the steak in the air fryer, first, season the steaks with oil, salt and pepper. Then, spray the steak with olive oil and coat both sides with your chosen spices. Preheat the air fryer so the basket gets hot. Place the steaks in a single layer, so the pieces are not touching or only minimally touching. If you have a lot of steak to cook, you may need to cook in batches.

Using a meat thermometer

First, insert the thermometer into the steak before you begin cooking. For a 2-inch steak, you'll need to cook it for longer than a 1-inch steak, so increase the cooking time accordingly. As a guide, a 1-inch steak takes about 10-12 minutes for medium-rare to medium, so a 2-inch steak will likely take around 20-24 minutes.

Use the thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. For a 2-inch steak, the temperature should be higher than for a thinner steak. For rare, aim for 120 degrees F (52 degrees C). For medium-rare, you're looking at 130 degrees F (54 degrees C). A temperature of 140 degrees F (60 degrees C) indicates a medium steak. If you prefer your steak medium-well, cook it to 150 degrees F (66 degrees C). Finally, for a well-done steak, aim for 160 degrees F (71 degrees C).

Remember that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the desired doneness of your steak. Always let your steak rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicy and tender steak.

Frequently asked questions