Air Fryer Top Round Steak: Cooking Time Perfection

Top round steak is a delicious, tender, and juicy cut of meat that can be cooked to perfection in an air fryer. The circulating heat of the air fryer ensures an even cook with a regulated temperature, resulting in a beautifully browned exterior and a perfectly cooked centre. The total cooking time depends on the desired level of doneness, ranging from 7 to 15 minutes for a rare, medium-rare, or well-done steak. By using a meat thermometer and monitoring the internal temperature, you can achieve the perfect doneness every time. With the convenience of an air fryer, you can enjoy a mouth-watering top round steak that is full of flavour and tenderised to perfection.

Top round steak cooking time

Top round steak is a tough cut of meat that can be transformed into a delicious, tender, and economical meal with the help of an air fryer. The total cooking time will depend on the weight, thickness, and initial temperature of the steak.

To prepare your top round steak for cooking, start by trimming any unwanted fat from the meat. Then, lightly pound both sides with a meat mallet to tenderize it and make it easier for the marinade to infuse the meat with flavor. Next, coat the steak with salt and let it marinate in a mixture containing acidic ingredients like vinegar and citrus juice for 8 to 24 hours.

When you're ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to 360-400 °F for at least 5 minutes. Place the steak in the air fryer basket and cook for 7-12 minutes for a medium-rare steak and around 12 minutes for a well-done steak. The cooking time will depend on the desired level of doneness and the thickness of your steak, so it's recommended to use a meat thermometer to ensure your steak is cooked to your preference. A medium-rare steak should have an internal temperature of 130 °F, while a medium steak should be 140-145 °F.

After cooking, let your steak rest for at least 5-10 minutes before slicing, so the juices can redistribute, resulting in a juicy and flavorful top round steak cooked to perfection in your air fryer.

Air fryer temperature

The air fryer is a great way to cook a round steak, with the circulating heat ensuring a juicy and tender steak with a crisp, caramelized crust.

The temperature and timing of your steak will depend on your desired level of doneness. For a medium-rare steak, you should cook your steak for 7-8 minutes at 400°F | 204°C. For a medium steak, you should aim for an internal temperature of 140°F-145°F. A medium steak will take around 10 minutes to cook at 400°F. If you prefer your steak well-done, you should cook it for around 12 minutes at 400°F.

The timing will also depend on the thickness of your steak. A thinner steak will cook faster, while a thicker steak may take a bit longer. The weight of the steak will also impact the cooking time, with a rule of thumb being 7-8 minutes per pound for a medium-rare steak. For example, a 2-pound top round steak will take 14-16 minutes to cook to medium-rare at 400°F.

It is important to note that the steak will continue to cook after it is removed from the air fryer, so it is advisable to remove it when it is 5°F-10°F away from your desired temperature. For example, for a medium-rare steak, you should remove it from the heat when it reaches an internal temperature of 130°F.

Always preheat your air fryer for at least 5 minutes to ensure an even cook and perfect crust.

Steak preparation

Preparing a top round steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. First, trim any unwanted fat or areas from the meat. Then, season the steak. This can be done by sprinkling both sides of the steak with salt and pepper, and brushing or coating both sides with oil. You can also marinate the steak in a mixture containing acidic ingredients like vinegar and citrus juice for a minimum of 8 hours and no more than 24 hours. Before cooking, preheat your air fryer for at least 5 minutes.

When cooking the steak, place it in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 7-12 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. A medium-rare steak will take around 7-8 minutes, while a well-done steak will take around 12 minutes. The cooking time will also depend on the weight, thickness, and initial temperature of the steak. For larger steaks, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to determine doneness. For a medium steak, aim for an internal temperature of 140°F-145°F.

After cooking, let the steak rest for at least 5-10 minutes before slicing, so that the juices can redistribute within the meat. This will result in a juicy and tender top round steak, cooked to perfection in your air fryer.

Steak doneness

The doneness of a steak is a personal preference, but the level of doneness will also depend on the thickness of the steak, the temperature of the air fryer, and the cooking time.

For a rare steak, the USDA suggests that an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) is safe for consumption. A medium-rare steak should be cooked to an internal temperature of 135°F (57°C). For a medium steak, remove it from the air fryer when the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C). Well-done steaks should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

A thinner steak will cook faster than a thicker one, so adjust your cooking time accordingly. As a rule of thumb, a 1-inch-thick steak cooked at 400°F (204°C) will be medium-rare after 8 minutes and well-done after 12 minutes. You can also flip the steak halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the type of air fryer and the cut of steak used. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure your steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness.

Additionally, allowing the steak to rest for at least 5-10 minutes after cooking will give the juices a chance to redistribute within the meat, resulting in a more juicy and tender steak.

Steak resting time

Resting your steak is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures your steak is juicy and tender, and it gives you time to prepare any side dishes or gather utensils. The resting time depends on the size and thickness of your steak, but it should be at least 5-10 minutes.

During cooking, the heat moves from the outside of the steak to the centre, and the muscle fibres and proteins in the meat are heated. This causes the fibres to narrow and put pressure on the liquid inside, pushing the juices towards the centre of the cut. When you slice into a freshly cooked steak, all the moisture in the centre can pour out, making the meat dry and tough.

By resting your steak, you give it time to cool down and for the juices to redistribute and be reabsorbed by the muscle fibres. This process helps to prevent moisture loss when you cut into the steak, keeping it juicy and flavourful. The temperature can rise as much as 13 degrees after you take the steak off the heat, so resting it also helps to ensure it reaches a safe food temperature.

There are various rules of thumb for how long to rest a steak, such as five minutes per inch of thickness, ten minutes per pound, or half of the total cooking time. One source recommends resting your steak for the same amount of time that it cooked. For example, if you cooked a steak for 2 minutes on each side, you should rest it for 4 minutes. Another source recommends resting it until the very centre of the steak reaches 120°F (49°C).

Frequently asked questions