Cody Casey
If you're looking for a quick, easy, and delicious way to cook frozen filet mignon, then an air fryer is your best bet. Air fryers are compact appliances that can cook meat to perfection, with a juicy and tender texture, and a beautifully seared exterior. The air fryer's hot air circulation ensures a crispy outside while keeping the inside flavourful and juicy. This method is perfect for a date night or a quick weeknight meal, with minimal cleanup required.
Cooking Frozen Filet Mignon in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preheat Air Fryer | 400°F for 5 minutes |
| Steak | 5-8 oz |
| Steak Temperature | Room temperature |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, olive oil |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 360-400°F |
| Cooking Time | 9-15 minutes |
| Resting Time | 5 minutes |
| Serving Suggestions | Baked potato, asparagus, mashed potatoes, air fryer carrots, air fryer garlic bread, thyme-roasted radishes and onions, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, potatoes au gratin, watermelon cucumber salad, broccoli cauliflower salad, roasted potatoes |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in the cooking process. While some sources suggest that you can skip preheating when cooking frozen filet mignon, doing so offers several benefits. Firstly, preheating ensures that the cooking process begins immediately, searing the meat and creating a delicious crust. This helps prevent the formation of grey bands just under the crust, which occur when the outer part of the meat overcooks before the inside reaches the desired temperature.
To preheat your air fryer, start by setting it to the desired temperature. For cooking frozen filet mignon, a temperature of 360°F to 400°F is typically recommended. Once you've set the temperature, let the air fryer heat up for a few minutes. The exact time may vary depending on your air fryer model, but generally, 400°F should be preheated for about 5 minutes. During this time, you can prepare your steak by brushing it with olive oil and seasoning it generously with salt and pepper, as well as any other desired seasonings.
It's important to note that the preheat time may vary depending on the model and brand of your air fryer, so it's always a good idea to refer to your air fryer's user manual for specific instructions. Additionally, when cooking frozen filet mignon, you may need to adjust the temperature or cooking time slightly to ensure your steak reaches the desired level of doneness.
By preheating your air fryer, you create the optimal conditions for cooking your steak. This step ensures that your filet mignon will cook evenly, developing a beautiful sear on the outside while remaining juicy and tender on the inside. So, while it may be tempting to skip preheating, especially when cooking frozen meat, it is a crucial step in achieving the best results for your filet mignon.
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Oil and season the steak
To oil and season your filet mignon steaks, start by removing them from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. This will bring the steaks to room temperature, which will help them cook more evenly. Pat the steaks dry with a paper towel. Then, rub or brush both sides of the steaks with olive oil or avocado oil. You can also use an oil spray or spritz to achieve a better sear.
Next, season the steaks generously with salt and pepper on both sides. You can also add other seasonings like Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, or steak seasoning. If you want to get creative, you can make a dry rub with a combination of spices like smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper. You can also marinate the steaks in a dressing or marinade to add extra flavour and juiciness.
If you want to take your steaks to the next level, you can make a compound butter to top them with after cooking. To do this, mix softened butter with your choice of herbs and spices, such as garlic, rosemary, thyme, or parsley. Roll the butter into a log using parchment paper and store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it.
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Air fry for 9-14 minutes
Cooking filet mignon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare this premium cut of steak. It's a convenient method that yields juicy and tender results. Here's a step-by-step guide to air frying frozen filet mignon, focusing on the cooking time of 9-14 minutes:
Step 1: Prepare the Steak
Remove the frozen steak from its packaging. For optimal results, it's recommended to let the steak reach room temperature before cooking, which can take about 30 minutes. However, if you're in a hurry, you can cook the steak directly from frozen.
Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). The preheating step can be skipped if you're cooking from frozen, as it helps prevent the formation of grey bands just under the crust.
Step 3: Season the Steak
Brush both sides of the steak generously with olive oil. This step ensures that your seasonings stick to the steak.
Step 4: Apply Seasonings
Coat the steak with salt and pepper on both sides. You can also add other seasonings or a dry rub of your choice. Since the steak is frozen, it won't absorb seasonings as effectively, so be generous and consider using about 50% more seasonings than usual.
Step 5: Air Fry the Steak
Place the seasoned steak in the air fryer basket or tray. Set the timer for 9-14 minutes, depending on your desired doneness. For a 5-ounce steak, 9 minutes will give you a rare steak, while 14 minutes will result in a well-done steak. Adjust the timing accordingly if your steak is larger or smaller.
Step 6: Flip and Continue Cooking
Depending on the model of your air fryer, you may need to flip the steak halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
Step 7: Check Doneness with a Meat Thermometer
To ensure your steak is cooked to your desired doneness, use an instant-read meat thermometer to check its internal temperature. For a rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 120°F (49°C). For a medium-rare steak, aim for 130°F (54°C).
Step 8: Rest the Steak
Once the desired doneness is achieved, remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing. This step is crucial, as it allows the juices to redistribute and ensures a juicy and tender steak.
Step 9: Slice and Serve
After resting, slice the steak against the grain and sprinkle it with flaky sea salt to enhance the flavour. Serve your filet mignon with your favourite sides, such as mashed potatoes, air fryer carrots, or garlic bread. Enjoy your perfectly cooked air-fried steak!
Remember, the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of your steak and your desired doneness. Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and adjust the cooking time accordingly. With these steps, you'll be able to enjoy a delicious and perfectly cooked frozen filet mignon prepared in your air fryer in just 9-14 minutes of cooking time.
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Rest the steak
Resting the steak is a crucial step in the cooking process. This allows the juices to settle, ensuring they stay in the steak and don't seep out. The steak should be removed from the air fryer and placed on a cutting board. It should then be left to rest for at least 5 minutes. During this time, the steak will continue to cook, so it is important to take this into account when timing your cook. The steak will continue to rise in temperature by about 5 degrees during this time.
The resting period is also a good time to prepare any sides or sauces to accompany your filet mignon. Some suggestions include baked potatoes, asparagus, garlic bread, or a simple salad. If you are feeling indulgent, a creamy garlic butter sauce can be made by combining butter, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, and salt. This can be melted over the steak just before serving, adding a delicious garlic twist to every bite.
If you are cooking a particularly thick steak, you may need to adjust the resting time accordingly. A thicker steak will need a longer resting time to ensure the juices are retained. A good rule of thumb is to rest the steak for about a third of the total cooking time. So, for a steak that has been cooked for 20 minutes, it should rest for around 6-7 minutes.
Finally, after resting, the steak is ready to be sliced. It is important to slice the steak against the grain to ensure maximum tenderness. A good quality, sharp knife is essential for this step. Sprinkle the steak with a pinch of flaky sea salt and serve immediately.
Resting the steak is an important step to ensure your filet mignon is juicy, tender, and full of flavor.
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Serve with sides
Filet mignon is a premium, expensive cut of steak that is incredibly tender, juicy, and delicious. It is often served as a special meal for date night or a cosy dinner for two.
When cooking frozen filet mignon in an air fryer, it is important to note that thawing the meat beforehand is essential to ensure even cooking and to prevent the outside from overcooking. Allowing it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator will help the meat stay tender and juicy.
Once the meat has been properly thawed, the cooking time in the air fryer is relatively quick, ranging from 9-15 minutes depending on the desired level of doneness. This makes it a convenient option for a weeknight meal, as it requires minimal prep and cleanup.
Now, for the sides! Here are some mouth-watering options to serve with your air-fried filet mignon:
- Potatoes: Mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, sweet potato fries, or roasted garlic potatoes with fresh herbs like rosemary, tarragon, sage, or dill. For a decadent option, try potatoes au gratin, dauphinoise potatoes, or cacio e pepe gratin.
- Vegetables: Air fryer carrots with a glaze of orange juice, maple syrup, and browned butter, or air fryer Brussels sprouts coated in oil and spices. Green beans blanched and fried in butter with sliced almonds, or roasted broccoli with walnuts, sweet dates, aged cheddar, and crunchy shallots in a lemon-honey vinaigrette also make excellent sides.
- Salads: A classic steakhouse Caesar salad with crispy croutons, shaved Parmesan cheese, and a creamy dressing. Alternatively, a Catalonian salad with grilled or roasted vegetables and a bread base. For a refreshing option, try a salad with chickpeas, heirloom cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, green onions, and a dressing of olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, and rice wine vinegar.
- Bread: Texas toast, garlic bread, or bread rolls to soak up the juices.
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Frequently asked questions
It will take 18-20 minutes to cook frozen filet mignon in an air fryer. The cooking time will depend on the level of doneness you prefer, with rare to medium-rare requiring less time than medium-well to well-done.
The air fryer should be set to 360-400°F. If your filet mignon is very thick, you may want to decrease the temperature to around 350°F to prevent the outside from burning before the inside is cooked.
You can use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your steak. A temperature of 120-125°F indicates medium-rare, while 140°F is medium, and 160°F is well-done.
