Air Fryer Boneless Steak: Perfect Timing For Tender Meat

how long to cook boneless steak in air fryer

Cooking steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve a tender, juicy, and flavorful steak with a crispy, golden-brown exterior. The air fryer's hot air circulation ensures a consistent sear on the outside, while keeping the inside juicy, with minimal cooking time and lower fat. The cooking time depends on the thickness of the steak and the desired doneness, with thicker steaks requiring longer cooking times. For a 1-inch boneless steak, cooking times range from 10 to 12 minutes for a medium-rare steak, and 12 to 15 minutes for a well-done steak. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer, season the steak, and flip it halfway through cooking for even browning.

Characteristics Values
Steak type Boneless
Steak cut Porterhouse or sirloin
Steak thickness 1 inch
Steak weight 0.5 pounds
Steak temperature 125°F-160°F
Air fryer temperature 400°F
Air fryer preheat time 10 minutes
Cooking time 10-15 minutes
Flip time After 5-6 minutes
Rest time 5-10 minutes

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Steak preparation

Preparing a steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. The air fryer is said to produce a juicy and tender steak with a golden brown exterior.

Firstly, choose your steak. A porterhouse or sirloin steak with a 1-inch thickness and around 1/2 pound in weight with no bones is a good option, as these cuts need the least amount of attention during cooking. Other good options include New York strip, ribeye, t-bone, top sirloin, and filet mignon.

Take your steak out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking and allow it to come to room temperature. Pat the steak dry with paper towels. Season both sides of the steak with kosher salt and black pepper, and a dry rub if desired. You can also add a little olive oil to help the steak brown better.

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the steak in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-12 minutes for a medium-rare steak, flipping the steak halfway through. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak, so adjust accordingly. For a thicker steak, increase the cooking time, and for thinner steaks, reduce the cooking time.

After cooking, remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes, loosely tented with foil. This will allow the steak to finish cooking and the juices to redistribute. Check the internal temperature of the steak with a meat thermometer. For a rare steak, the internal temperature should be 125-130°F, for medium-rare 130-135°F, and for medium 140°F.

Finally, serve the steak with a pat of herb garlic butter on top. Enjoy!

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Air fryer settings

The first step to cooking a boneless steak in an air fryer is to preheat the air fryer. Set the temperature to 400°F (200°C) and heat the air fryer for at least 10 minutes before adding the steak. Preheating the air fryer is important as it ensures that the steak browns nicely on the outside, similar to searing.

After preheating, place the steak in the air fryer basket. The cooking time will depend on the desired level of doneness and the thickness of the steak. As a general guide, for a 1-inch thick steak, cook for 10-12 minutes for medium-rare, flipping the steak halfway through the cooking time. Adjust the cooking time accordingly for thicker or thinner steaks.

To check if the steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness, use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the steak. For a rare steak, the internal temperature should be between 125°F and 130°F; for medium-rare, between 130°F and 135°F; and for medium, 140°F. If you prefer your steak well-done, cook until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.

Once the steak has reached the desired internal temperature, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Tent the steak loosely with foil during the resting period to prevent it from continuing to cook.

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Cooking time

The cooking time for a boneless steak in an air fryer depends on various factors, such as the desired level of doneness, the thickness of the steak, and the model of the air fryer. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you cook your boneless steak to perfection:

Thickness of the Steak:

Firstly, it is important to ensure that your boneless steak is at least 1 inch thick. Thinner steaks may cook too quickly and won't achieve the desired browning. If your steak is larger than 1 inch, you will need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Preheating the Air Fryer:

Before adding the steak, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This step is crucial, as it ensures that the steak cooks evenly and achieves the desired browning. Allow the air fryer to preheat for at least 10 minutes before adding the steak.

For a 1-inch thick boneless steak cooked to a medium-rare level of doneness, cook the steak in the preheated air fryer for a total of 10 to 12 minutes, flipping it halfway through the cooking time. This results in a steak with a beautiful golden-brown crust.

If you prefer your steak to be cooked to a medium level of doneness, increase the cooking time slightly. Cook the 1-inch thick steak for 12 minutes in the preheated air fryer, still flipping it halfway through.

For a well-done steak, cook the 1-inch thick boneless steak for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping it halfway. Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model.

Checking Doneness with a Meat Thermometer:

To ensure your steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the steak to check its internal temperature. For a rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 125°F to 130°F. For medium-rare, the temperature should be 130°F to 135°F, and for a medium steak, aim for 140°F to 145°F.

Resting the Steak:

After removing the steak from the air fryer, it is important to let it rest. Transfer the steak to a plate and loosely tent it with foil. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures that the steak continues to cook slightly outside of the air fryer. Let the steak rest for about 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

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Steak doneness

Rare steak should have an internal temperature between 125°F and 130°F. The thickest part of the steak should register 125°F.

Medium-rare steak should have an internal temperature of 130°F to 135°F. For a 1-inch steak, this will take around 10 minutes in the air fryer, flipping the steak halfway through. If your steak is thicker or thinner, adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Medium steak should have an internal temperature of 140°F. For a 1-inch steak, this will take around 12 minutes in the air fryer, flipping the steak halfway through.

Well-done steak should have an internal temperature of 160°F. For a well-done steak, cook for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through.

To check the doneness of your steak, use a meat thermometer to measure its internal temperature. Remove the steak from the air fryer about 5°F before it reaches your desired temperature, as the steak will continue to cook as it rests. For a 1-inch steak, let the steak rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing or serving.

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Serving suggestions

Once your steak is cooked to perfection, it's time to serve it up. Here are some ideas to elevate your dish:

  • Rest: It is important to let the steak rest for a few minutes after cooking. Remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest on a plate, loosely tented with foil, for 5 to 10 minutes. This helps to retain the juices and prevents overcooking.
  • Seasonings and Sauces: A simple sprinkle of salt and black pepper can enhance the natural flavours of the steak. You can also get creative with seasonings like Italian seasoning, kosher salt, or Montreal steak seasoning. For an extra indulgent touch, top your steak with a pat of herb garlic butter. To make this, simply mix together softened butter with minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, and parsley.
  • Sides: A good side dish can complement your steak perfectly. Try serving your steak with baked, smashed, or mashed potatoes, and a vegetable like roasted green beans or asparagus.
  • Temperature: For a perfect medium-rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 130 to 135°F. For a rare steak, go for 125°F, and for a well-done steak, ensure it reaches 160°F.
  • Presentation: Don't forget the power of presentation! Arrange your steak and sides on a plate, adding a garnish of fresh herbs for a pop of colour and a sprinkle of salt and pepper for added flavour and texture.

With these tips, you'll be serving up a mouth-watering air-fried steak that's sure to impress!

Frequently asked questions

It takes 10-12 minutes to cook a 1-inch-thick boneless steak in an air fryer.

To get a golden brown color on your steak, flip it halfway through the cooking time.

Set your air fryer to 400°F.

Let your steak rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking.

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