Air Fryer Sirloin Steak: The Perfect Timing

Cooking steak in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to prepare a delicious meal. Air fryers are a convenient and mess-free way to enjoy steak without having to go outdoors to grill or smoke. They also help to reduce the amount of fat in the final dish.

To cook sirloin steak in an air fryer, first, ensure the steak is at room temperature before cooking. Then, season the steak with salt, pepper, and any other seasonings or rubs of your choice. Preheat the air fryer to between 400°F and 400°C, and cook the steak for around 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on the desired level of doneness, with rare steaks taking the least amount of time and well-done steaks taking the longest. Finally, let the steak rest for a few minutes before serving.

How to season sirloin steak for the air fryer

Air fryer sirloin steak is beautifully seared on the outside and stays juicy and tender on the inside. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to season your steak for the air fryer:

Step 1: Choose Your Steak

Select sirloin steaks that are about 6 to 10 ounces each and 1-inch thick. A well-marbled steak with good fat content will result in a juicier and more flavourful steak.

Step 2: Prepare the Steak

Take the steaks out of the fridge about 15 to 30 minutes before cooking and pat them dry with paper towels. This will help the steak come to room temperature and ensure more even cooking.

Step 3: Season the Steak

Drizzle or spray olive oil on the steaks. The olive oil will help form a crust and allow the seasonings to stick to the steak. Generously season both sides of the steaks with salt and pepper. You can also add Italian seasoning or any other steak seasoning or rub of your choice. For a simple dry rub, mix together salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.

Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C for about 3 to 5 minutes. This will ensure the basket is warm and help you achieve a nice sear on the steak.

Step 5: Air Fry the Steak

Place the steaks in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping. Overlapping steaks will not cook evenly. Air fry for about 7 to 12 minutes, flipping the steak once about halfway through the cooking time. The cooking time will depend on your desired degree of doneness and the thickness of your steak.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Once the steak has reached your desired internal temperature, transfer it to a plate and loosely cover it with foil. Let the steak rest for about 5 to 10 minutes before serving. For an extra touch of flavour, top the steak with a pat of garlic herb butter.

Tips:

• Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your steak to achieve your desired degree of doneness.
• Do not overcrowd your air fryer basket. Cook the steaks in batches if needed.
• Flipping the steak at least once during cooking will help ensure even cooking.
• Adjust the cooking time if your steaks are thinner or thicker than 1-inch.
• Remember that the steak will continue to cook and the internal temperature will rise by about 5-10 degrees while resting.

Enjoy your perfectly cooked air fryer sirloin steak!

How long to preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in cooking your sirloin steak to perfection. While some air fryers have a preheat button, others do not. If your air fryer has a preheat button, simply press it and wait for the machine to reach the desired temperature. If your air fryer does not have a preheat button, you can manually preheat it by running the air fryer at the desired temperature for a few minutes.

Most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to 400°F/200°C for 3-5 minutes. This ensures that the basket is warm, which helps to create a nice sear on the steak. However, it's important to note that not all air fryers are the same, and the wattage may vary, so you may need to adjust the preheating time and temperature accordingly.

Additionally, it is recommended to let your steak come to room temperature before cooking. This can be done by taking the steak out of the refrigerator about 15-30 minutes before cooking. This step helps ensure even cooking and improves the texture and flavor of the steak.

By properly preheating your air fryer and allowing your steak to come to room temperature, you'll be well on your way to cooking a delicious and perfectly cooked sirloin steak.

How long to cook sirloin steak in the air fryer

The cooking time for sirloin steak in an air fryer depends on the thickness of the steak and the desired level of doneness. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook sirloin steak in an air fryer:

Preparation

Take the steak out of the refrigerator 15 to 30 minutes before cooking to let it come to room temperature. Pat the steak dry with paper towels, then drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, or oregano.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C for 3 to 5 minutes. This step is important to ensure the basket is warm and helps to create a sear on the steak.

Cooking Time

Place the steaks in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Cook for 6 to 14 minutes, depending on the thickness and desired doneness. For a rare steak, cook for 6 to 8 minutes. For medium-rare, cook for 7 to 10 minutes. For medium, cook for 8 to 9 minutes. For medium-well, cook for 11 to 12 minutes. And for well-done, cook for 12 to 14 minutes.

It is recommended to flip the steak halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.

Resting

Once the steaks have reached the desired internal temperature, transfer them to a plate and loosely cover them with foil. Let the steaks rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and the steak to relax, resulting in a more moist and flavoursome dish.

Tips

• Use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of your steak. The internal temperature for a rare steak is 125˚F to 130˚F (52˚C to 54˚C), medium-rare is 135˚F (57˚C), medium is 140˚F (60˚C), medium-well is 145˚F (63˚C), and well-done is 150-155˚F (65 to 68˚C).
• Choose a well-marbled steak for the best results. The marbling, or fat content, keeps the steak juicy during cooking.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook one steak at a time if necessary to ensure proper airflow and even cooking.
• Adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of your steak. Thicker steaks will need more time, while thinner steaks may cook faster.

How long to rest sirloin steak after air frying

To make sirloin steak in an air fryer, you'll need to start by taking the steaks out of the fridge about 15 to 30 minutes before cooking. Pat them dry with paper towels, then drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, and Italian seasoning or a seasoning blend of your choice.

Preheat your air fryer to 400˚F (200˚C) for about 3 to 5 minutes. Place the steaks in the air fryer basket, trying not to overlap them. If your steaks are 1-inch thick and you want them medium-rare, cook them for about 7 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Once the steaks are cooked to your desired level of doneness, it's important to let them rest before serving. Transfer the steaks to a plate and loosely cover them with foil. Let them rest for about 5 to 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and the muscle fibres to relax, ensuring your steak is moist and flavorful throughout.

• For rare, remove the steak from the air fryer at 125˚F to 130˚F (52˚C to 54˚C), which will take about 6 minutes.
• For medium-rare, remove at 135˚F (57˚C), which takes about 7 minutes.
• For medium, remove at 140˚F (60˚C), which takes about 8-9 minutes.
• For medium-well, remove at 145˚F (63˚C), which takes about 11 to 12 minutes.
• For well-done, remove at 150-155˚F (65 to 68˚C), which takes about 12 to 14 minutes.

What to serve with sirloin steak

Now that you've learned how to cook a sirloin steak in an air fryer, it's time to think about what to serve with it. A good side dish can elevate your meal from nice to delicious. Here are some ideas to complement your juicy sirloin steak:

Classic Sides

The classic combination of steak and potatoes is always a winner. You can go for baked potatoes, crispy smashed potatoes, or roasted potatoes. If you're feeling indulgent, try making some homemade French fries or skinny fries, also known as steak frites. Just season them with crunchy sea salt, and you're good to go!

Veggie Options

If you want to add some greenery to your plate, there are plenty of options. You can go for a simple salad, but make sure it can stand up to the beefy flavour of your steak. Look for fresh herbs and a bit of chilli to cut through the savoury notes of the meat. Roasted Brussels sprouts, asparagus, or green beans are also excellent choices to pair with your steak. If you're feeling adventurous, try air fryer cauliflower or air fryer broccoli!

Something Creamy

How about a creamy side to balance out the savoury steak? Mac and cheese is always a crowd-pleaser, especially if you add a crunchy Parmesan-Phyllo crust. Or, if you're in the mood for something more elegant, try making a garlic butter sauce or a mushroom and peppercorn sauce to drizzle over your steak and veggies.

Carb Load

If you're a carb lover, there are endless options to choose from. How about some onion rings for that satisfying crunch? Or, if you're feeling fancy, try making twice-baked potatoes or parmesan pesto roasted potatoes. Don't forget the classic option of chunky chips, perfect for soaking up all the delicious juices from your steak!

Get Creative

Think outside the box with some unique sides. Baked avocados with fresh salsa, anyone? Or how about sesame garlic roasted asparagus, or harissa and honey-roasted carrots? If you're feeling extra indulgent, a side of classic mac and cheese or even a parmesan-phyllo crust will take your meal to the next level.

There you have it! With these sides, you'll be able to create a well-rounded and delicious meal centred around your air-fried sirloin steak. Enjoy your feast!

Frequently asked questions