Air Fryer Flat Iron Steak: Cooking Time Perfection

Air fryers are a versatile and convenient kitchen appliance that can cook your favourite foods to perfection. In this case, a flat iron steak can be cooked in an air fryer in under 15 minutes. The steak should be cooked for 6-7 minutes on each side for a medium-rare finish, or longer for a more well-done steak.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the steak by coating both sides with a mixture of olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme. This step adds flavour and helps to create a delicious crust on the steak. Make sure to pat the steak dry with paper towels before seasoning. Removing excess moisture will result in better browning and a more desirable texture.

Once the air fryer has reached the desired temperature of 400°F, you can proceed to place the steak in the basket. At this temperature, the steak will cook evenly and develop a beautiful sear. The preheating step ensures that the steak starts cooking immediately, locking in the juices and flavours.

Preheating the air fryer to 400°F is a crucial step in achieving the perfect flat iron steak. It sets the stage for even cooking, a nice sear, and the desired texture. By following this step, you're on your way to creating a juicy and tender steak that's cooked to your preferred doneness.

Pat the steak dry

To cook a flat iron steak in an air fryer, you should first pat the steak dry with paper towels. This helps to remove excess moisture, allowing for better browning and texture. After patting the steak dry, you should season both sides of the steak with a mixture of olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme. You can then preheat your air fryer to 400°F and place the steak in the basket. For a medium-rare steak, cook the steak for 6-7 minutes on each side. If you prefer your steak more well done, simply increase the cooking time. Once the steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. This allows the seasonings to penetrate the muscle fibres for more flavour, and also allows for more even cooking.

Season the steak

Seasoning the steak is an important step in the cooking process. Firstly, pat the steak dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This will help with browning and texture. Then, mix olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, rosemary and thyme in a bowl. Coat both sides of the steak with the mixture. Let the steak sit at room temperature for about an hour to allow the seasonings to penetrate the muscle fibres for more flavour and even cooking.

Cook for 6-7 minutes, then flip and cook for another 6-7 minutes

Cooking a flat iron steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to cook a juicy steak to your desired level of doneness. To cook a flat iron steak in an air fryer, you should first preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Then, place the steak in the basket and cook for 6-7 minutes. After this time, flip the steak and cook for another 6-7 minutes. This will give you a medium-rare steak. If you would like your steak to be more well done, you can leave it in the air fryer for longer. Once the steak is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Let the steak rest for 5-10 minutes

Once your steak is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. This is an important step as it allows the steak to retain its juices and ensures that it is tender and flavoursome.

If you are cooking a medium or medium-well steak, you will need to add additional time to the cooking time. However, it is recommended that you do not cook a steak past medium-rare.

Before cooking, you should let your steak rest at room temperature for 20 minutes. This allows the steak to cook more evenly and ensures a nice sear on the outside. You should also pat the steak dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture and improve the texture.

Frequently asked questions