Ella Walter
Cooking a T-bone steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve a juicy and tender steak with a beautifully seared crust. The air fryer's hot air circulation cooks the meat evenly, resulting in a crispy exterior without the need for excessive oil, making it a healthier alternative to traditional cooking methods. With an air fryer, you can have a restaurant-quality steak cooked to perfection in less than 20 minutes, making it a convenient option for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Steak type | T-bone steak |
| Steak thickness | At least 1 to 1.5 inches |
| Steak temperature | Room temperature |
| Steak seasoning | Olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika |
| Air fryer temperature | 390-400°F (200°C) |
| Air fryer cooking time | 4-15 minutes, flipping halfway through |
| Air fryer cooking time for medium-rare | 12-15 minutes |
| Resting time | 2-5 minutes |
| Leftovers | Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months |
| Reheating | Reheat in the air fryer for 5-6 minutes at 360°F (180°C) |
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What You'll Learn
Selecting the right cut of meat
Quality
Start by choosing high-quality meat. Look for T-bone steaks with marbling, the intramuscular fat that gives your steak rich flavour and tenderness. The USDA grades steaks and other cuts of beef based on quality, including tenderness, marbling, and the age of the cattle. If you're aiming for a special occasion or a high-class restaurant experience, invest in a USDA Prime cut, known for its superior flavour and tenderness. However, for everyday steak dinners or quick weeknight meals, a USDA Choice grade is more than sufficient and offers good marbling and flavour at a more affordable price.
Thickness
Aim for a T-bone steak with a thickness of at least 1 to 1.5 inches. This thickness ensures even cooking and a juicy interior. Thicker steaks can develop a flavorful crust in the air fryer without drying out, but avoid cuts thicker than 2 inches to prevent excessive drying. Thinner steaks can reach medium-rare within 4 to 5 minutes, while thicker cuts may take longer but can quickly go from rare to done, so careful monitoring is essential.
Temperature
Allow your steak to reach room temperature before cooking. This helps ensure even cooking throughout. Use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature, aiming for 135-140°F (57-60°C) for medium-rare. Remember that the steak's temperature will continue to rise by about 5-7°F (2-3°C) while resting.
Resting
After cooking, let the steak rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavourful steak. Tent the steak loosely with aluminium foil and let it rest for about 5-10 minutes.
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Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in cooking your T-bone steak, as it ensures that your steak starts cooking immediately, creating a perfect sear on the outside. The ideal temperature to preheat your air fryer is 400°F (200°C), and this should be done for around 3 to 5 minutes.
Place a piece of parchment paper or a perforated air fryer liner at the bottom of the basket before preheating. This will help catch any drippings and make cleanup easier. You can also brush the steak with olive oil to help the seasonings adhere, and then sprinkle on salt and pepper as desired.
If you want to get creative with your seasonings, you can mix together vegetable oil, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Rub this mixture all over the steak before placing it in the air fryer.
It is also important to ensure that your steak is at room temperature before cooking. This helps the steak cook evenly throughout.
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Seasoning the steak
Start by patting the steak dry with a paper towel. This helps to remove any excess moisture, ensuring that the seasonings will stick to the meat. Then, rub the steak with olive oil to help the seasonings adhere. You can also brush the steak with oil or use a spray oil for a more even distribution.
Next, it's time to apply the seasonings. Combine your chosen seasonings in a small bowl and mix well. Then, sprinkle the seasoning mix evenly on both sides of the steak. Make sure to rub it in with your fingers or a spoon to ensure the steak is fully coated.
If you want to get creative, you can try making a compound butter to top your steak. For example, you can make a garlic herb compound butter by mixing softened butter with herbs and spices, such as garlic, rosemary, thyme, or parsley. Shape the mixture into a log using plastic wrap and refrigerate it until it's firm. Then, simply slice off a piece of the compound butter and place it on top of your cooked steak. It will melt into the meat, adding a burst of flavor.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for your T-bone steak will depend on your desired level of doneness, the thickness of your steak, and the model of your air fryer.
It is recommended that you allow your steak to come to room temperature before cooking. This helps ensure that it cooks evenly throughout. Thicker steaks will take longer to cook, but they can go from too rare to done in under a minute, so it is important to check often.
For a medium-rare steak, cook at 390°F (200°C) for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping the steak halfway through. You can also cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping the steak when there are 6 minutes left. If you are using a meat thermometer, your steak will be medium-rare when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
If you prefer your steak rare, reduce the cooking time by a few minutes. For a well-done steak, increase the cooking time. Remember that cooking times may vary depending on the model of your air fryer, so it is important to keep an eye on your steak towards the end of the cooking time to ensure it reaches your desired level of doneness.
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Resting and serving
Resting the steak is a crucial step in the cooking process. It is recommended to let the steak rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, ensuring a juicy and tender steak. Wrapping the steak in foil during resting helps to keep it warm and continues the cooking process, bringing the steak to your desired temperature.
For a 1.5-inch thick steak, the cooking time is around 12-15 minutes for a medium-rare steak. However, thinner steaks can reach medium-rare in as little as 4-5 minutes, while thicker cuts may take an additional 3-4 minutes. It's important to monitor the steak's temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches your desired doneness.
During the resting period, the steak's internal temperature will continue to rise by about 5-7 degrees Fahrenheit (2-3 degrees Celsius). This is an important consideration when deciding when to remove the steak from the air fryer. It is recommended to cook the steak to about 5 degrees below your desired temperature, as the resting period will bring it up to the final temperature.
Once the steak has rested, it's time to serve. Air fryer T-bone steaks are best served with sides that complement the juicy and tender meat. Some popular side dish options include Air Fryer Parmesan Asparagus, Instant Pot Cauliflower Mash, Garlic Ranch Potatoes, or a fresh salad.
Additionally, you can enhance your steak with a delicious topping or sauce. A compound butter, such as garlic herb butter or garlic butter, is a perfect complement to the steak and can be made in advance. Alternatively, you can top the steak with butter or ghee just before serving to add a creamy and rich element to the dish.
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Frequently asked questions
For a medium-rare finish, cook your T-bone steak in the air fryer for 12-15 minutes, flipping the steak halfway through. The time will vary depending on how thick your steak is, how done you want it to be, and your specific air fryer model.
Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Place a piece of parchment paper or a perforated air fryer liner at the bottom of the basket. This helps to catch any drippings and makes cleanup easier.
Allow your steak to come to room temperature before cooking. Brush the steak with olive oil on both sides, then sprinkle on salt and pepper as desired.
