Air Fryer Frozen Steak: How Long Does It Take?

Cooking steak from frozen in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious meal. You can go from frozen to enjoying your steak in under 30 minutes, and the results are just as good as cooking from fresh. It's a handy skill to have, especially if you're short on time or forget to defrost your meat.

How to season a frozen steak

Air frying a frozen steak is a great way to cook a delicious, juicy steak with minimal prep time. Here are some detailed instructions on how to season a frozen steak before air frying:

Step 1: Prepare the Steak

Take the steak out of the freezer and remove it from its packaging. If you have multiple steaks frozen together, you can air fry them together to thaw and then separate them.

Step 2: Slightly Thaw the Steak

Place the frozen steak in the air fryer basket and air fry for a few minutes to slightly thaw it. This step is important because it ensures that the seasonings will stick to the steak. About 4 minutes should be enough, depending on your air fryer model.

Step 3: Coat with Oil

Remove the steak from the air fryer and coat it with a thin layer of oil. You can use olive oil or any other cooking oil of your choice. This step helps the seasonings stick to the steak. If you prefer not to use oil, you can spritz the steak with cold water.

Step 4: Season Generously

Now it's time to season your steak! The key to seasoning a frozen steak is to be generous with your herbs and spices. The seasonings won't penetrate the steak as much as they would with a thawed steak, so it's important to use more than you usually would.

For example, you can use a combination of salt, pepper, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano. You can also use Italian seasoning, Montreal steak seasoning, or any other steak rub you like.

It's recommended to use about 50% more of your usual amount of seasonings, excluding salt. For salt, it's best to stick to your normal amount and then sprinkle more on the steak after slicing it.

Apply the seasonings liberally to both sides of the steak, making sure it's coated evenly.

Step 5: Air Fry the Steak

Once your steak is seasoned, it's time to put it back into the air fryer. Set the temperature and timer according to your desired doneness and the thickness of the steak. For a 1-inch thick steak, cooking for about 20 minutes at 400°F/200°C should give you a medium-rare steak.

Flip the steak halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning and crust development on both sides.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

When the steak is cooked to your desired doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest. Wrap it in aluminium foil and let it sit for at least 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures a juicy, tender steak.

Finally, slice the steak against the grain and sprinkle it with coarse sea salt to taste. Serve and enjoy!

How long to cook a frozen steak for

The length of time it takes to cook a frozen steak depends on a few factors, including the thickness of the steak, the power of your air fryer, and how well you want your steak cooked.

Thickness of Steak

The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your steak. A thinner steak will take less time to cook than a thicker one. For example, a 1/2" steak will take less time than a 1" steak.

Power of Air Fryer

Different air fryer models have different power levels, which will affect the cooking time. For example, the Philips HD9252/90 Air Fryer, Ninja DZ401 DualZone XL Air Fryer, and Cosori Pro II are all different models with different power levels.

Desired Level of Doneness

The level of doneness you prefer your steak will also affect the cooking time. For a rare steak, cook for a shorter amount of time, and for a well-done steak, cook for a longer amount of time.

General Guidelines

As a general guideline, a frozen steak will take around 15-20 minutes to cook in an air fryer. However, it is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the factors mentioned above.

To ensure your steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. For a rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 120°F-130°F. For a medium-rare steak, aim for 130°F-140°F. For a medium steak, aim for 140°F-150°F. For a well-done steak, ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F.

It is also important to let the steak rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute and ensure a tender and juicy steak.

How to get a good crust on a frozen steak

Preheat the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 380°F/190°C or 400°F/200°C for 5 minutes. If your air fryer doesn't go up to 400°F, set it to the highest setting.

Prepare the steak

Take your frozen steak out of the freezer and remove any packaging. Brush or spray both sides of the steak with oil—you can use olive oil or avocado oil, for example. This will ensure the steak stays tender and help your seasonings to stick.

Season the steak

Season the steak generously with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, or dried rosemary. For a 1" steak, use around ¼ teaspoon of each seasoning. If you don't want to use oil, spritz the steak with cold water before applying the seasonings.

Air fry the steak

Place the seasoned steak in the air fryer basket and cook for around 20 minutes, flipping the steak halfway through to ensure even cooking. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak and your desired level of doneness. For a 1" steak, cook for 10 minutes on each side for medium-rare, or 12 minutes on each side for medium.

Let the steak rest

When the steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness, turn off the air fryer and let the steak rest inside for 5 minutes. This will allow the steak to finish cooking and help keep the juices inside.

Check the internal temperature

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. For rare steak, aim for 120°F; for medium-rare, 130°F; for medium, 140°F; for medium-well, 150°F; and for well-done, 160°F.

Serve the steak

Once the steak has reached your desired temperature, transfer it to a cutting board and let it rest for a few more minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

How to cook a frozen steak without drying it out

What you'll need:

• Frozen steak (any cut of your choice)
• Olive oil or oil/cooking spray of your choice
• Salt and pepper
• Any other seasonings/spices of your choice
• Meat thermometer (optional)
• Aluminium foil (optional)

Method:

• Take your frozen steak out of the freezer and remove any packaging.
• Brush or spray both sides of the steak with oil.
• Generously season both sides of the steak with salt and pepper, and any other seasonings you like. You may want to be more liberal with the amount of seasoning than you would usually be with a thawed steak, as the seasonings won't penetrate the meat as much.
• Preheat your air fryer to around 380-450°F/190-200°C for about 5 minutes.
• Place the steak in the air fryer and cook for around 10-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of your steak and how well done you like it. For a 1" steak, around 20 minutes should be enough for a medium-rare finish. Thicker steaks will need longer, and thinner steaks less time.
• Flip the steak halfway through to ensure even cooking and browning.
• Once the steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness, turn off the air fryer and let the steak sit inside for about 5 minutes. This will allow the steak to finish cooking with the residual heat and prevent it from drying out.
• If desired, wrap the steak in aluminium foil and let it rest for at least another 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This will help keep the steak juicy and prevent the juices from running out.

Tips:

• It's best to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your steak and ensure it's cooked to your desired level of doneness.
• For a 1" steak, aim for an internal temperature of 130-140°F for medium-rare.
• The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer and the size of your steak, so adjust the timing as needed.
• If you're cooking multiple steaks, make sure they fit comfortably in the air fryer. You may need to cook them in batches.
• It's best to season the steak after cooking, as seasoning before might make it too salty. If you do season before cooking, taste and adjust the seasoning as needed after cooking.

How to cook a frozen steak to medium-rare

What You'll Need:

• Frozen steak (any cut of your choice)
• Olive oil or oil/cooking spray of your choice
• Salt and pepper
• Any other seasonings of your choice (e.g. garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary)
• Meat thermometer (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Preheat your air fryer to 380°F/190°C-400°F/200°C for 5 minutes.
• Take your frozen steak out of the freezer and remove any packaging.
• Lightly coat both sides of the steak with olive oil or your chosen oil/cooking spray.
• Generously season both sides of the steak with salt and pepper, and any additional seasonings you desire. You may want to use slightly more seasoning than you usually would, as it won't penetrate the steak as much while frozen.
• Place the seasoned steak into the air fryer basket and cook for around 10-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of your steak and your air fryer model. For a 1" thick steak, around 10 minutes on each side should be enough for a medium-rare finish.
• Once the steak is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing. This will ensure the juices stay locked in.
• Serve and enjoy!

Tips:

• If you are cooking multiple steaks, ensure they fit comfortably next to each other in the air fryer. If not, you may need to cook them in batches.
• It is best to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your steak to ensure it is cooked to your desired level of doneness. For a medium-rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 130°F/54°C.
• If you don't have a meat thermometer, you can estimate the doneness of your steak by touching it with your finger. A medium-rare steak should feel soft and springy.
• Always let your steak rest for a few minutes before slicing to ensure it stays juicy and tender.

Variations:

If you want to cook your frozen steak to a different level of doneness, here are some approximate cooking times for a 1" thick steak:

• Rare: 8-10 minutes on each side
• Medium: 12 minutes on each side
• Medium-well: 12-14 minutes on each side
• Well-done: 14-18 minutes, depending on how well done you like it

Frequently asked questions