Cody Casey
Cooking filet mignon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a gourmet meal at home. The air fryer is perfect for cooking juicy and tender filet mignon, with minimal clean-up required. The filet mignon is a pricey and delicate cut of meat, but the air fryer ensures a perfect, restaurant-quality steak every time. The air fryer method is also a great way to avoid the smoke that comes with cooking steak on a stovetop. With easy preparation and cooking times of under 20 minutes, this is a stress-free way to cook an impressive meal.
How to cook a filet in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation time | 10 minutes |
| Cooking time | 10-20 minutes |
| Resting time | 3-10 minutes |
| Ingredients | Filet mignon steaks, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, butter, parsley, rosemary, thyme, garlic, chives |
| Equipment | Air fryer, instant-read meat thermometer, bowl, parchment paper, fork |
| Pre-cooking steps | Take steaks out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking, pat dry, season, preheat air fryer |
| Cooking steps | Place steaks in the air fryer basket, cook, flip, add butter, let rest |
| Temperature | 400°F |
| Calories | 791-793 |
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What You'll Learn
How to get the perfect crust
To get the perfect crust on your filet mignon, there are a few key steps to follow. Firstly, bring your steaks to room temperature before cooking. Taking them out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes in advance is ideal. This step may be skipped, but it makes a significant difference in the final result. Preheating your air fryer is another crucial step. Preheat it to 400°F for 5 minutes. This step allows the filet to sear and develop a golden crust.
Next, lightly coat the filet mignon steaks with olive oil on all sides. This step ensures that the seasoning adheres well to the meat. Choose a good-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best results. After coating with oil, season the steaks generously. Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper are essential, and you can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, or sage to enhance the flavour. Don't be shy with the salt, as it will bring out the flavour of the meat.
Finally, place the steaks in the air fryer basket, ensuring there is space between them for even cooking. You can cook the steaks for about 9-15 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. For a rare steak, cook for 5-6 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 120-130°F. For medium-rare, cook for 9-11 minutes or until it reaches 135-140°F. If you prefer your steak well done, cook it for 14-16 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
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Choosing the right cut of steak
Thickness:
The thickness of the steak impacts the cooking time and evenness of cooking. Steaks that are at least 1-inch thick are recommended for optimal cooking in an air fryer. Thinner steaks may overcook, while thicker ones may take longer to cook through.
Marbling:
Marbling refers to the fat content within the meat. Steaks with good marbling, such as ribeye, tend to stay juicier and more flavorful after air frying. Look for steaks with white flecks of fat distributed throughout the meat.
Cut:
Different cuts of steak offer varying flavors, textures, and tenderness levels. Here are some popular cuts recommended for air frying:
- Filet Mignon: Known for its tenderness, rich flavor, and melt-in-your-mouth texture, it is often considered a special occasion steak. It is cut from the smaller, narrow tip of the tenderloin.
- Ribeye: Ribeye steaks have abundant marbling, ensuring a juicy and flavorful result. The fat renders during cooking, creating a tasty exterior.
- Sirloin: Sirloin is a versatile choice, offering a good balance of flavor and price. Top sirloin is more tender, while bottom sirloin is larger, leaner, and slightly tougher.
- New York Strip: A popular cut for air frying, offering a hearty flavor.
- T-Bone: Derived from the same section of the cow as the Porterhouse and club steaks, T-bone steaks are another excellent option for air frying.
- Porterhouse: This cut comes from the sirloin section of the cow and is known for its hearty flavor.
- Flank Steak: Flank steak is best enjoyed rare, medium-rare, or medium, as it can become chewy if overcooked. Marinating it can help enhance its flavor and tenderness.
When choosing the right cut of steak, it's also important to consider your personal preferences for flavor, texture, and doneness, as well as the availability and cost of the steak.
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Seasoning and coating the steak
To start, bring your steaks to room temperature by taking them out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking. This step is optional but will result in a more even cook. Pat the steaks dry with a paper towel.
Next, lightly coat the steaks with a cooking fat such as olive oil or avocado oil. Brush the oil onto all sides of the steaks to ensure even coverage. The oil will help the seasonings adhere to the meat and promote browning during cooking.
Now it's time to season the steaks. The most common seasonings for filet mignon are salt and pepper. Use coarse sea salt or kosher salt, and freshly crack or grind the pepper for the best flavor. Be generous with the salt and pepper, as this will enhance the flavor of the meat. You can also add other seasonings such as garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, or sage to your taste preferences. If you want a more well-rounded flavor, you can also add an acid like lemon juice, sherry, or white wine vinegar to the steak before coating it in oil.
Once the steaks are seasoned, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer basket. Make sure there is space between the steaks to allow for even cooking, and cook in batches if necessary.
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Cooking times and temperatures
The cooking time for a filet mignon in an air fryer depends on the thickness of the steak and the desired level of doneness. It's recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak, rather than relying solely on time.
For a 1.5-inch-thick steak, cook for 9-10 minutes for rare (internal temperature of 120°F), 10-11 minutes for medium-rare (130°F), 11-12 minutes for medium (140°F), 11.5–13 minutes for medium-well (150°F), and 14 minutes for well-done (160°F).
For a 2–2.5 inch thick steak, the cooking time will be longer. Cook for 15 minutes for medium-rare (internal temperature of 125–130°F).
If you don't have a meat thermometer, you can also check the doneness of your steak by touch. A medium-rare steak should have slight resistance when pressed, while a well-done steak will be very firm.
It's important to preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes before cooking the steak. This helps to create a golden crust on the outside of the steak.
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Making the perfect garlic butter
Making garlic butter is a simple way to elevate your cooking. It's a decadent, creamy, savoury, and rich compound butter that you can use on a variety of dishes. Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide to making the perfect garlic butter:
Ingredients
- Butter: Use plain, softened butter at room temperature. Take it out of the refrigerator about an hour ahead or 30 minutes before you need it so that it has time to soften.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic will add a savoury garlic flavour. Adjust the amount of garlic to your taste preferences.
- Herbs: You can add herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary to your garlic butter. Fresh herbs are preferable, but dried herbs can also be used.
- Spices: Season your garlic butter with spices like garlic salt, Italian seasoning, black pepper, paprika, or onion powder. You can also add salt to taste, especially if you're using unsalted butter.
- Cheese: Parmesan cheese can take your garlic butter up a notch.
Method
- Take the required amount of butter and let it soften at room temperature.
- Mince or crush your garlic cloves. You can adjust the amount of garlic according to your taste.
- Chop your chosen herbs finely.
- In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, garlic, herbs, and spices.
- Use a fork or a small whisk to mix all the ingredients until they are well combined.
- You can also warm the ingredients in a small pan until melted and combined, and then let the mixture cool.
- Transfer the garlic butter to a piece of parchment paper or a shallow airtight container.
- Your garlic butter is now ready to use! You can store it in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it for up to three months.
Serving Suggestions
Garlic butter is a versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of ways:
- Spread it on French bread, baguettes, sourdough, or dough balls.
- Make garlic bread by baking it onto a sliced baguette or covering a pizza base or flatbread.
- Melt it over mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, or sweet potatoes.
- Toss it with pasta to make a quick garlic butter sauce.
- Dot it onto cooked vegetables like mushrooms or broccoli.
- Slather it onto cornbread, jalapeño cornbread, or dinner rolls.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 10-15 minutes to cook filet in an air fryer.
It is recommended to coat the filet with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, rosemary, and garlic.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. The internal temperature of the filet should reach 125-135°F for medium-rare.
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