Air-Frying Strip Steak: The Perfect Timing Guide

Cooking a strip steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a juicy, tasty, and tender steak with a crispy exterior. The length of time it takes to cook a strip steak in an air fryer depends on the thickness of the steak and how well you want it cooked. For a 1 thick steak, cook for 10 minutes for medium-rare, 12 minutes for medium, and 13-15 minutes for well-done, flipping the steak halfway through. If you're short on time, you can cook a strip steak in the air fryer in as little as 7 minutes, but this will produce a rare steak. For a medium-rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 130°F (54°C), and for medium-well, aim for 135°F. You can also cook frozen strip steaks in the air fryer, which will take around 22 minutes.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for an air fryer strip steak will depend on the thickness of the steak and your desired level of doneness.

First, remove the steak from the refrigerator and let it rest for 10 to 45 minutes to bring it to room temperature. Then, pat the steak dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings. You can also brush the steak lightly with avocado oil or olive oil to help with browning.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F to 420°F. If your air fryer does not reach 420°F, you can cook the steak at 400°F for a longer duration. Place the steak in the air fryer basket and cook for about 7 minutes. Then, flip the steak and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, depending on your desired doneness. For a medium-rare steak, cook for a total of 10 minutes, and for a medium steak, cook for 12 minutes. If you prefer your steak well done, cook it for 13 to 15 minutes.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, so it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. For a medium-rare steak, the internal temperature should be 130°F to 135°F.

If you are reheating a cooked steak, preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Add the steak to the air fryer, ensuring that the pieces do not touch if you are reheating more than one. Cook on one side for 3 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until completely heated through.

Steak preparation

Firstly, ensure your steak will fit in the air fryer. Thicker steaks, around 1" thick, work best. You can cook frozen steaks in the air fryer, but it will take longer.

Before cooking, remove the steak from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature. This can be done 10-15 minutes before cooking, or up to 30 minutes to an hour before. Pat the steak dry with paper towels, then brush or rub with oil and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides. You can also add other seasonings, like minced onion or steak seasoning.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F–420°F. Spray the steak with cooking spray or oil, and add any remaining seasonings. Place the steak in the air fryer basket, ensuring the pieces don't touch, and cook for around 10–15 minutes for a medium-rare steak, or 12–15 minutes for a medium steak. Well-done steaks may take up to 22 minutes. Flip the steak halfway through the cooking time.

Check the temperature of the meat with a meat thermometer before removing it from the air fryer. For a medium-rare steak, the temperature should be 130°F–135°F. When the steak is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and tent with foil. Allow it to rest for 5–10 minutes, then serve.

Air fryer preparation

Firstly, remove the steak from the refrigerator. You can let it rest and come to room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour. However, some sources claim that this is a myth and that it is not necessary.

Pat the steak dry with a paper towel. You can then season the steak with salt and pepper on both sides. You can also add other seasonings, such as minced onion, at this stage. If you are using a marinade, be sure to pat the steak dry again before placing it in the air fryer.

Brush or rub the steak with a little olive, avocado, or another cooking oil.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. If your air fryer does not reach 400°F, you can cook the steak at 350°F for a little longer.

Once the air fryer is preheated, spray the steak with cooking oil or cooking spray on both sides. You can then place the steak in the air fryer basket. Make sure that the steak is lying flat and that the pieces do not touch if cooking more than one.

Cook the steak for 10 minutes for medium-rare, or 12 minutes for medium. For a well-done steak, cook for between 13 and 15 minutes. If you are cooking a frozen steak, it might take up to 22 minutes. Flip the steak halfway through the cooking time.

Check the temperature of the steak with a meat thermometer. For a medium-rare steak, the temperature should be 130°F (54°C) or 135°F.

Once cooked, remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. You can add a small pat of butter to the steak at this stage to enhance the flavor. Then, slice against the grain and serve.

Reheating steak

Firstly, it is important to note that cooked steak will stay fresh for up to four days when stored in a shallow airtight container or plastic zipper bag in the refrigerator. If you have cooked your steak thoroughly the first time, with a minimum internal temperature of 145°F, you should be fine to reheat it.

When you are ready to reheat your steak, start by preheating your air fryer to 350°F. While you wait for the air fryer to preheat, you can prepare your steak. If you have any natural steak juice, it is recommended to use this to prevent the steak from drying out. Otherwise, you can use broth, steak sauce, thin gravy, butter, or oil. Place the juice or alternative in a saucepan and add your leftover steak. Heat this until it is slightly warm, which will help to prevent overcooking and add flavour.

Once your air fryer is preheated, place the steak into the air fryer basket. It is important to ensure that the steak pieces do not touch if you are reheating more than one. Check the steak every two minutes and cook until the internal temperature reaches around 110°F–130°F. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak, with thinner slices taking less time to reheat. A good way to check if your steak is done is to use a meat thermometer to check that the centre is hot. A thick steak cut may take up to 5 minutes to reheat, with an additional 1-2 minutes if it is very thick.

Once your steak is heated to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

There are also other methods to reheat steak, such as using a stove, oven, sous vide, or microwave. However, these methods may increase the risk of drying out your steak or overcooking it.

Steak seasoning

While some people prefer to simply season their steaks with salt and pepper, there are a variety of seasonings that can be used to add flavour to your steak.

Some recipes recommend using a store-bought seasoning, such as McCormick's Italian seasoning or Montreal Steak Seasoning. You can also make your own seasoning blend by combining salt and pepper with other spices and herbs. For example, you could use garlic, onion, paprika, chilli powder, cumin, cinnamon, or cayenne pepper. If you want to add a fresh, herbaceous flavour, you can include dried dill or coriander seeds.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can try making a marinade for your steak. One recipe combines the steak seasoning with extra garlic, lemon juice, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Alternatively, you can baste your steak with butter, rosemary, thyme, and garlic.

It's important to note that the amount of seasoning you use may depend on the thickness of your steak. For thicker cuts, you can be more generous with the seasoning to ensure that it carries through each bite. It's also recommended to pat your steak dry before adding the seasoning and allowing it to rest for a while so that the flavours can develop.

Frequently asked questions