Emilie Meyer
Cooking steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a juicy, tender ribeye with minimal fuss. It might sound unusual, but it's a total game-changer! You can have a delicious, perfectly cooked medium-rare steak on the table in under 15 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak and the model of your air fryer, but generally, you'll want to cook a medium-rare ribeye for around 10-12 minutes, flipping the steak halfway through. To get the perfect doneness, it's best to use a meat thermometer and pull your steak out of the air fryer when it reaches an internal temperature of 130°F.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Steak Type | Ribeye |
| Steak Thickness | 1-1.5 inches |
| Steak Weight | 12-16 oz |
| Steak Temperature | Room temperature |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, garlic powder |
| Oil | Avocado oil, olive oil |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 390-400°F |
| Air Fryer Preheat Time | 3-5 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 10-14 minutes |
| Internal Temperature | 130-135°F |
| Resting Time | 5 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in cooking a ribeye steak, as it ensures even cooking and a better sear on the steak. While most air fryer recipes don't require preheating, it is a must when cooking steak or lamb chops.
To preheat your air fryer, simply turn it on and set the temperature to 400°F. You can preheat it for as little as 3 minutes, but for best results, it is recommended to preheat it for at least 5 minutes. This will ensure that your steak gets a nice sear on the outside.
It is also important to ensure that your steak is at room temperature before placing it in the air fryer. This helps the steak cook more quickly and evenly. Take your steak out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking and pat it dry with a paper towel. You can then season the steak with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, or any other seasonings you prefer, before placing it in the air fryer.
When preheating your air fryer, make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific model. Each air fryer brand is different, and some may have specific preheating settings or recommendations.
By preheating your air fryer and ensuring your steak is at room temperature, you'll be well on your way to cooking the perfect medium-rare ribeye steak.
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Season the steak
Seasoning your steak is a crucial step in the cooking process, as it adds flavour and enhances the taste of your ribeye. While you can use a marinade or a simple seasoning blend, it's important to note that the specific type and amount of seasoning you use will depend on your personal preferences.
A common and straightforward option is to season your steak with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can be generous when applying these seasonings, making sure to coat both sides of the steak evenly. This combination will add flavour to your ribeye without overpowering its natural taste. If you're looking for a more complex flavour profile, you can experiment with additional seasonings like onion powder, paprika, or dried herbs such as rosemary or thyme.
It's important to bring your steak to room temperature before seasoning. Take the steak out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes prior to cooking and pat it dry with a paper towel. This step ensures that the seasoning adheres properly to the steak and also promotes more even cooking.
When applying the seasoning, use your hands to gently rub it into the steak, ensuring it's evenly distributed. You can also lightly coat the steak with olive oil before seasoning, as this will help the seasonings stick better and add a bit of extra flavour.
After seasoning, let the steak sit for a few minutes to allow the flavours to truly blend. During this time, you can preheat your air fryer to ensure it's ready to go when you're finished preparing your steak. Preheating is an important step, as it helps to create a nice sear on the outside of the steak.
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Air fry for 6 minutes
Cooking a medium-rare ribeye steak in an air fryer is a straightforward process. After seasoning the steak, you can air fry it for 6 minutes, but this is only part of the full cooking time.
Firstly, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3–5 minutes. This ensures even cooking and a better sear on the steak. You should also bring the steak to room temperature before cooking, which can take around 30 minutes. This helps the steak cook more evenly and quickly.
Once the air fryer has preheated, you can place the steak in the basket. Lightly spray the basket and the steak with avocado oil. Then, air fry for 6 minutes. After this time, flip the steak and cook for an additional 5–6 minutes for a medium-rare steak. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the steak, so thicker cuts may need an extra 1–2 minutes on each side.
To check that your steak is medium-rare, use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature is 130°F. The steak will continue to cook and can reach 135°F even after being removed from the air fryer. Once the steak is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for about 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and results in a more tender steak.
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Flip and cook for another 5-6 minutes
After the initial 6 minutes of cooking your ribeye steak in the air fryer, you will need to flip it and cook for another 5-6 minutes for a medium-rare finish. This cooking time is for a steak with a thickness of around 1 inch. If you are cooking a thicker steak, you may need to increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes for each side.
While cooking, you can optionally use the broil method to get a crispy outside crust. You can also add a compound butter during the last minute of cooking to let the butter melt into the steak.
The internal temperature of the steak will continue to rise even after you take it out of the air fryer. For a medium-rare steak, the internal temperature should be around 130°F to 135°F. If you don't have a meat thermometer, you can also check by pressing the steak with your finger. A rare steak will feel soft, a medium-rare steak will feel a bit springy, and a well-done steak will be firm.
After cooking, let the steak rest for about 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more flavorful and tender. The steak will continue to cook during this time, so it's important to take it out of the air fryer before it reaches your desired level of doneness.
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Let the steak rest
So, you've cooked your ribeye steak to medium-rare perfection in your air fryer. Now, it's time to let the steak rest. But why is this step so important? And for how long should you let the steak rest?
Letting the steak rest after air frying is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. This ensures that your steak will be juicy and tender when you cut into it. Secondly, the internal temperature of the steak will continue to rise slightly while it rests, so letting it rest helps to ensure your steak reaches your desired level of doneness without overcooking.
The general rule of thumb for resting steak is to let it rest for about 5 minutes for every inch of thickness. For a medium-rare ribeye steak, which is typically around 1-inch thick, aim to let it rest for at least 5 minutes. If your steak is thicker, you may need to rest it for a little longer, say 7 to 10 minutes.
During the resting time, it's important to keep the steak loosely covered with foil. This helps to retain some of the heat while still allowing the steak to breathe. Don't be tempted to skip the resting step or shorten the resting time, as this can result in a less juicy and less evenly cooked steak.
While the steak is resting, the internal temperature will continue to rise by a few degrees. This is why it's important to pull the steak out of the air fryer when it's a few degrees below your desired level of doneness. For a medium-rare steak, this means removing it from the air fryer when the internal temperature reaches 130°F, as it will continue to cook and reach 135°F while resting.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around 10-12 minutes to cook a medium-rare ribeye in an air fryer.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
The average supermarket ribeye is usually less than 1" thick. Look for steaks around 1 1/2" thick.
Cook the steak for 5-6 minutes on each side for medium-rare.
For medium-rare, remove the steak from the air fryer at 130°F.
