Reheating Steak: Air Fryer Method For Best Results

Reheating steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to revive your leftovers without drying them out. The air fryer's small size means it preheats faster than a standard oven, and its convection technology gives your steak a crispy exterior without needing a ton of oil or time.

Here's a simple step-by-step guide to reheating your steak in an air fryer:

Step 1:

Let the steak come to room temperature. This ensures the meat cooks evenly and helps it stay juicy. Aim for around 30 minutes to an hour, but don't leave it out for more than two hours.

Step 2:

Preheat your air fryer to 350–360°F (180°C).

Step 3:

Brush or spray your steak with oil to help achieve a crispy texture. You can also add a pat of butter for extra moisture.

Step 4:

Place the steak in the air fryer basket. For even cooking, ensure the steak isn't crowded and has space around it.

Step 5:

Cook for 3–6 minutes for a single steak, depending on its thickness and your air fryer model. For thicker cuts, you may need an additional 1–2 minutes. You can flip the steak halfway through the cooking time.

Step 6:

Check the internal temperature of the steak with a meat thermometer. It's ready when it reaches 110°F in the thickest part.

Step 7:

Remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes. Covering it with aluminium foil will help keep it warm.

Step 8:

Serve your steak with your favourite sides and enjoy!

Reheating steak in an air fryer is a convenient and effective method that will leave your leftovers tender and juicy.

Let steak reach room temperature before reheating

Allowing your steak to reach room temperature before reheating it is an important step in ensuring your steak cooks evenly and remains juicy.

Taking your steak out of the fridge and letting it sit on the counter for at least 30 minutes, but ideally closer to an hour, will ensure the meat cooks evenly. If you don't temper the meat, the outside will cook faster than the inside, and you may end up with a cut of meat rarer than desired. Allowing the steak to reach room temperature will also ensure a more tender piece of meat once cooked.

However, it's important to note that you shouldn't leave the steak out of the fridge for more than two hours, as it can start to go bad.

If you're short on time, you can also cut the steak into slices, which will help it reheat more quickly and evenly.

Preheat the air fryer to 350°F

Preheating your air fryer to 350°F is a crucial step in ensuring your steak reheats evenly and efficiently. This temperature strikes a balance between being high enough to reheat the steak without overcooking it and allowing the steak to retain its moisture and flavour.

Preheating the air fryer also ensures that the basket is warm when the steak is placed inside, which helps to maintain an even temperature throughout the cooking process. This is especially important if you're aiming for a rare or medium-rare steak, as it reduces the risk of overcooking the meat.

Allowing the steak to come to room temperature before placing it in the air fryer is also recommended. This helps the steak cook more quickly and evenly, reducing the chances of it drying out. However, it's important not to leave the steak out of the fridge for more than an hour, as the meat can start to spoil.

Once the air fryer is preheated, you can brush or spray the steak with oil to help achieve a crispy texture. Placing a pat of butter on the steak is also an option, as it adds extra moisture.

The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak, but it's generally recommended to cook the steak for 2 to 4 minutes on each side. For thicker cuts, you may need to add an additional 1 to 2 minutes to ensure it's thoroughly warmed.

After removing the steak from the air fryer, it's important to let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures a tender, juicy steak.

By following these steps, you can reheat your steak in the air fryer without drying it out or overcooking it, resulting in a delicious and tender meal.

Brush steak with oil or butter

Brushing your steak with oil or butter is a great way to add flavour and moisture to your meat.

When it comes to oil, olive oil is a popular choice for its mild flavour. You can also use avocado oil, or a neutral cooking oil. If you're using butter, you can opt for salted or unsalted, depending on your preference. You can also add herbs to your butter to create a garlic butter or herb butter.

Before brushing your steak with oil or butter, it's a good idea to bring it to room temperature first. This will help the meat cook more evenly and reduce the risk of it drying out. You should aim to leave it out of the fridge for about 30 minutes, or up to an hour if possible.

Once your steak is at room temperature, you can brush or rub it with oil or butter. Make sure to coat both sides of the steak generously. You can also add other seasonings at this point, such as Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

After your steak is coated and seasoned, it's ready to be placed in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and cook your steak for 3 to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness and your desired doneness. For a rare steak, cook for 6 to 8 minutes, for medium, cook for 8 to 10 minutes, and for well-done, cook for 12 to 15 minutes.

By brushing your steak with oil or butter before air frying, you'll end up with a juicy and tender steak that's full of flavour!

Place steak in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes

Placing your steak in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes is the final step in reheating your steak. Before you do this, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your steak is juicy and tender. Firstly, it's best to let your steak come to room temperature before reheating. This will help the steak cook more quickly and evenly, reducing the risk of it drying out. Aim to bring the steak out of the fridge 30 minutes to an hour before cooking.

Next, preheat your air fryer to 350-360 degrees Fahrenheit. You can then place your steak in the air fryer basket and cook for 3-5 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of your steak. A very thick steak may take an additional 1-2 minutes. The steak is done when it's warmed thoroughly and can be checked with a meat thermometer.

Finally, remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This will ensure the juices spread evenly through the meat, resulting in a juicy and tender steak.

Rest steak for 5 minutes after reheating

Allowing your steak to rest for five minutes after reheating is an important step in the cooking process. This resting period gives the steak time to cool down slightly and ensures that the juices are distributed evenly throughout the meat. Without this resting period, you may end up with a rubbery steak or one that is less juicy.

Resting the steak also helps to ensure that the steak is cooked to the desired level of doneness. For example, if you are aiming for a medium-rare steak, resting it for a few minutes will allow the steak to reach the perfect temperature without overcooking.

Additionally, the resting period gives you time to prepare any side dishes or finalise the presentation of your meal. This can be especially useful if you are serving the steak with sides that require immediate attention, such as a baked potato or vegetables.

Finally, the resting period is an important food safety measure. Allowing the steak to rest for a few minutes before serving helps to prevent any harmful bacteria from surviving and ensures that your meal is safe to eat.

In summary, allowing your steak to rest for five minutes after reheating in the air fryer is crucial for achieving the desired texture, temperature, and flavour. It also ensures food safety and gives you time to finalise your meal presentation.

Frequently asked questions