Marianne Martinez
Cooking a beef steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve a juicy and tender steak with a crispy exterior. The air fryer is a versatile appliance that can cook steak to your desired doneness, whether you prefer it rare, medium-rare, or well done. By preheating the air fryer, seasoning the steak, and adjusting the cooking time based on the steak's thickness, you can enjoy a perfectly cooked steak with minimal effort.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Steak type | Porterhouse, sirloin, ribeye, t-bone, top sirloin, or filet mignon |
| Steak thickness | 1-inch |
| Steak weight | 1/2 pound |
| Oil | Olive oil, butter, or any other neutral oil |
| Seasoning | Salt, black pepper, garlic, herb butter, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper |
| Air fryer temperature | 400°F |
| Cooking time | 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway |
| Resting time | 5-10 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cut of steak
Thickness: Opt for steaks that are at least 1-inch thick. Thinner steaks may overcook easily, while thicker ones might require a longer cooking time. A 1-inch thickness is ideal as it allows for even cooking and browning.
Marbling: Marbling refers to the fat content within the meat. Steaks with good marbling, like ribeye, tend to stay juicier and more flavourful after air frying. Look for steaks with white flecks of fat dispersed throughout the meat.
Cut: There are several cuts of steak that are well-suited for air frying due to their tenderness and flavour. Here are some of the best options:
- Porterhouse: A hearty cut of meat that comes from the loin section of the cow.
- Sirloin: A versatile choice that offers a balance of flavour and price. Top sirloin is more tender, while bottom sirloin is larger, leaner, and slightly tougher.
- New York Strip: A popular cut known for its rich flavour.
- Ribeye: This cut is prized for its marbling, which ensures a juicy and flavourful result.
- T-bone: Another option from the loin section, offering a combination of strip and tenderloin steak.
- Top Sirloin: A tender and flavourful option.
- Filet Mignon: Renowned for its tenderness, this cut is perfect for special occasions. It has a rich flavour and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Preparation: To get the most out of your chosen cut, remember to bring the steak to room temperature before cooking. This helps the meat soften and cook more evenly. Additionally, pat the steak dry to remove excess moisture, as this will aid in achieving a crispy exterior.
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Preparing the steak for cooking
Firstly, choose the right cut of steak. The best options for air frying are porterhouse, sirloin, New York strip, ribeye, t-bone, top sirloin, and filet mignon. Ensure your steak is at least 1-inch thick; thinner steaks may cook too fast and won't brown properly.
Next, remove your steaks from the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for at least 20-30 minutes before cooking. This helps the steak cook more evenly and ensures a less tough texture.
Before seasoning, it is recommended to pat your steaks dry with a paper towel or clean cloth. This ensures even browning. Then, rub the steaks with olive oil or another neutral oil on each side.
Now it's time to season your steaks. You can keep it simple with just salt and black pepper, or try a dry rub with Italian seasoning or other spices like smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper. You can also marinate your steak beforehand for extra flavour. If you want to get fancy, make a garlic herb butter by mixing softened butter with garlic, parsley, chives, salt, and pepper, and smother your steak with it before serving.
Finally, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) for at least 10 minutes before adding the steaks. You can also coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
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Cooking the steak
Firstly, select your steak. Porterhouse or sirloin cuts require the least amount of attention during cooking, but you could also opt for New York strip, ribeye, t-bone, top sirloin, or filet mignon. The steak should be at least 1 inch thick; thinner steaks will cook too fast and won't brown properly. Allow the steak to come to room temperature before cooking—this will ensure it's less tough and cooks evenly. Take it out of the fridge for at least 20-30 minutes.
Next, pat the steak dry with a paper towel and rub it with olive oil on both sides. This will help the steak to brown. Season generously with salt and black pepper, or use Italian seasoning. You could also add a dry rub, or marinate the steak for extra flavour.
Now you're ready to cook the steak. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and place the steak in the basket. For a 1-inch steak, cook for 10-12 minutes for medium-rare, and 12-15 minutes for well-done. Thicker steaks will need longer. Always flip the steak halfway through cooking to ensure it cooks evenly on both sides.
When the steak is done to your preference, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes. This will allow the meat's temperature to increase to your desired level of doneness. You can then serve the steak with garlic butter, or your favourite sauce.
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Making a sauce to accompany the steak
Now that you have cooked your steak in an air fryer, you can make a sauce to accompany it. Here are some ideas:
Herb Garlic Butter
Add 1/4 cup of softened unsalted butter, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon of fresh rosemary, 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme, and 1 teaspoon of fresh parsley to a small bowl. Stir the mixture until the butter is smooth and combined, and serve it on top of the steaks.
Blue Cheese Sauce
Melt 25g of butter in a pan over medium heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon of flour and cook for about 1 minute. Slowly add 150ml of milk, stirring continuously, until the sauce is smooth. Then, add 50g of chopped blue cheese and stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce has thickened.
Asian-Style Black Bean Sauce
In a food processor, blend 1/2 a can of black beans, 1 teaspoon of dark brown soft sugar, 2 teaspoons of honey, 1 teaspoon of Chinese five-spice powder, 1/2 teaspoon of grated ginger, 1 red chilli, 2 teaspoons of tahini paste, 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons of soy sauce, and 5 tablespoons of water. Pour the blended mixture into a saucepan and bring it to a simmer, cooking until it is glossy and thick.
Creamy Steak Sauce
In a large non-stick frying pan, put 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar and bring to a simmer. Add 150ml of chicken stock and reduce the mixture by half over high heat. Then, add 2 teaspoons of green peppercorns, crushing a few of them in the pan. Season and reduce, then stir in 4 tablespoons of double cream. Simmer for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Chimichurri
In a small food processor, put 2 garlic cloves, 1 green chilli (deseeded), a small bunch each of coriander and parsley, 1 small sweet onion, and 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar. Blitz until finely chopped, then add 5 tablespoons of olive oil and blitz again. Season and refrigerate until serving.
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Resting and serving the steak
Resting the steak is an important step in the cooking process. It allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring that your steak is juicy and tender. The ideal resting time for a steak cooked in an air fryer is around 5-10 minutes. During this time, the steak will continue to cook slightly and the internal temperature will rise. Therefore, it is recommended to remove the steak from the air fryer 5°F before it reaches your desired temperature.
To rest the steak, simply transfer it to a plate or a clean surface and loosely tent it with foil. This will prevent it from continuing to cook in the air fryer basket. If you are cooking multiple steaks, you may need to rest them in batches to ensure they don't overcrowd the plate and affect the airflow.
While the steak is resting, you can prepare any sides or sauces to serve with it. Baked, smashed, or mashed potatoes are always a good option, and you can also serve it with a seasonal green salad or roasted vegetables. If you want to add some extra flavor to your steak, you can make a compound butter or herb butter to serve on top. Take 1/4 to 4 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter and mix in some garlic, rosemary, thyme, parsley, chives, salt, and/or pepper. You can also simply top the steak with a pat of garlic butter.
Once the steak has rested, you can slice it and serve it immediately. Don't forget to pour any juices from the sear over the steak before serving. Enjoy your perfectly cooked air-fryer steak!
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Frequently asked questions
First, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, rub your steak with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. You can also add Italian seasoning or a dry rub. Place the steak in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. For a medium-rare steak, cook for 10 minutes, and for a medium steak, cook for 12 minutes. Finally, let the steak rest for 10 minutes before serving.
The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak. For a 1-inch steak, cook for 10 minutes for medium-rare and 12 minutes for medium. Adjust the cooking time accordingly if your steak is thicker or thinner.
You can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your steak. For a rare steak, the internal temperature should be between 125°F and 130°F. For medium-rare, aim for 130°F to 135°F, and for medium, 140°F to 145°F.
