Ella Walter
Cooking a fillet steak in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and clean way to enjoy a juicy and tender steak. The air fryer is an ideal method for cooking fillet steak, as it keeps all the juices inside and is lower in fat than other cooking methods. The cooking time depends on the thickness of the steak and how well-done you like your steak. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to cook a fillet steak in an air fryer, including preheating, seasoning, and cooking times.
How to cook a fillet steak in the air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Steak type | Fillet steak, sirloin steak, porterhouse steak, ribeye steak, New York strip steak, t-bone steak, top sirloin steak |
| Steak thickness | 1-inch |
| Steak weight | 1/2 pound |
| Steak temperature before cooking | Room temperature |
| Steak temperature duration | 20-30 minutes |
| Air fryer temperature | 200°C or 400°F |
| Air fryer preheating time | 2-5 minutes |
| Air fryer cooking time | 6-18 minutes |
| Air fryer cooking time for rare steak | 7-10 minutes |
| Air fryer cooking time for medium-rare steak | 10-12 minutes |
| Air fryer cooking time for medium steak | 11-13 minutes |
| Air fryer cooking time for well-done steak | 14 minutes |
| Steak resting time | 5-10 minutes |
| Steak seasoning | Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, olive oil, avocado oil, garlic butter, rosemary, thyme, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper |
| Steak serving suggestions | Roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, fries, roasted potatoes, salad, baguette slice with melted cheese, baked potato, asparagus |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cut of steak
Firstly, it is important to choose steaks that are at least one inch thick for optimal cooking. Thinner steaks may overcook, while thicker ones may take longer to cook through. Therefore, for even cooking, selecting a steak with the right thickness is crucial.
Secondly, marbling, which refers to the fat content within the meat, plays a significant role in the juiciness and flavour of the steak after air frying. Steaks with good marbling, like ribeye, tend to stay juicier and more flavourful. When selecting a steak, look for white flecks of fat dispersed throughout the meat, indicating good marbling.
Additionally, the right seasoning or marinade can greatly enhance the flavour of your air-fried steak. While a simple sprinkle of salt and pepper can be effective, a more complex marinade of spices and herbs can also be used to elevate the dish. Allowing the steak to come to room temperature before cooking and patting it dry prior to seasoning can further improve the cooking process and the overall flavour.
When it comes to specific cuts of steak, several options are well-suited for air frying. These include:
- Filet mignon: Known for its rich flavour and tenderness, filet mignon is a prime choice for special occasions.
- Ribeye: This cut is characterised by its marbling, which ensures a juicy and flavourful result.
- Sirloin: A versatile option that offers a good balance of flavour and price.
- Porterhouse: A classic cut that requires minimal attention during cooking.
- New York strip: A popular choice for air frying, offering a convenient and tasty option.
Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes: Can You Do It?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Preparing the steak
Firstly, select the right cut of steak. For air fryer cooking, it is recommended to choose a porterhouse or sirloin steak that is approximately 1-inch thick and around 1/2 pound in weight, with no bones. These cuts require less attention during cooking, making them ideal for the air fryer. However, you can also opt for other cuts like New York strip, ribeye, t-bone, top sirloin, or filet mignon.
Once you have the perfect cut, bring your steak to room temperature before cooking. Take it out of the fridge 20 to 30 minutes ahead of time. This step helps ensure even cooking and a more tender steak. While the steak is reaching room temperature, you can prepare the air fryer and any seasonings or marinades.
To prepare the air fryer, preheat it to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius. Lightly coat the air fryer basket with oil or use a non-stick cooking spray to prevent the steak from sticking. This step is important, especially if your steak is leaner and tends to stick to the surface.
Now, it's time to season your steak. You can keep it simple with just salt and freshly ground black pepper, or add other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or dried or fresh herbs. Brush both sides of the steak with oil, avocado oil, or another neutral oil, and then generously apply your chosen seasonings. You can also try a dry rub or a steak marinade for extra flavour. Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations to find your favourite flavour profile.
Finally, when your steak and air fryer are ready, it's time to cook! Place the seasoned steak into the preheated air fryer basket, ensuring there is space between multiple steaks for even cooking. Set the timer according to your desired doneness and the thickness of the steak, allowing for a longer cooking time for thicker cuts. Remember to flip the steak halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking on both sides. Use tongs or a spatula to gently turn the steak to avoid piercing the meat and losing those delicious juices.
Air Fryer Frozen Wings: How Long Until They're Crispy?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cooking times and temperatures
The cooking time for fillet steak in an air fryer depends on the desired level of doneness and the thickness of the steak. As a general rule, thicker steaks require longer cooking times. It is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak to ensure it is cooked to your desired level of doneness.
For a 1-inch thick steak, cook for 10 minutes at 400°F and flip halfway for medium-rare. For a medium steak, increase the cooking time to 12 minutes, flipping halfway. If you prefer your steak rare, cook for 9-10 minutes at 400°F. For a well-done steak, cook for 14 minutes.
If you like your steak cooked to medium-rare, a general guideline is to cook it for 7 minutes at 200°C, turning it over after 4 minutes. For a medium steak, cook for 9 minutes, turning it over after 5 minutes. If you prefer your steak medium-well, cook it for 11 minutes, turning it over after 6.5 minutes.
It is important to note that cooking times may vary slightly depending on the model of your air fryer and the thickness of your steak. Always ensure that your steak is at room temperature before cooking and allow it to rest for a few minutes after cooking to ensure a juicy and tender steak.
Air-Fried Churros: A Quick, Crispy Treat
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Resting and serving the steak
Once your steak is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer basket and let it rest on a plate, loosely tented with foil. This will prevent it from continuing to cook. The resting period allows the juices to redistribute and makes the steak more tender. Ideally, you should rest the steak for the same amount of time that you cooked it. For example, if you cooked the steak for 7 minutes, rest it for 7 minutes.
The resting time will depend on your steak's thickness and how well-done you like it. As a general rule, thicker steaks require more resting time, and well-done steaks should rest for longer than rare steaks. For a 1-inch steak, cooked medium-rare, rest for 5 minutes. For a 1-inch steak cooked to medium, rest for 6 minutes.
While the steak is resting, you can prepare any side dishes or toppings that you'd like to serve with it. Some great side dish options include roasted vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, or asparagus, mashed potatoes, or roasted sweet potatoes. You can also serve the steak with a slice of garlic herb butter, a drizzle of balsamic glaze, or your favourite sauce. If you're serving the steak with a baked potato, you can top it with sour cream, butter, and chives, or load it with cheese, bacon, and green onions.
After resting, use a sharp knife to slice the steak against the grain. This will ensure that the steak is tender and easy to chew. If you're serving the steak with a salad, thinly slice the meat and arrange it on a bed of mixed greens. You can also serve the steak as part of a hearty steak sandwich or crostini.
Air-Frying Chicken: The Perfect Timing for Tender Meat
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$20.12 $38
![Franklin Steak: Dry-Aged. Live-Fired. Pure Beef. [A Cookbook]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91kTqovcceL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Troubleshooting
- My steak is overcooked and grey: This could be because you didn't preheat your air fryer. Preheating ensures that the outside of the steak gets brown, similar to searing. If you skip this step, the steak may end up grey and overcooked by the time the outside browns.
- My steak isn't browning: Thinner steaks may cook too fast to get a chance to brown. Make sure your steaks are at least 1 inch thick. Spritzing or rubbing the steak with a little oil will also help it brown better.
- My steak is cooked unevenly: If you are cooking multiple steaks, make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave some space between the steaks for airflow to cook evenly. If needed, cook the steaks in batches.
- My steak is cooked unevenly: You may need to flip your steak more than once during cooking to ensure even cooking.
- My steak is overcooked: The cooking time depends on the thickness of the steak. Thicker steaks will need more time, while thinner steaks will need less. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- My steak is undercooked: The cooking time depends on the thickness of the steak. Thicker steaks will need more time, while thinner steaks will need less. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- My steak is overcooked: If you are cooking multiple steaks, the cooking time may vary. Leave some space between the steaks for airflow and cook them in batches if necessary.
- My steak is undercooked: Bring your steak to room temperature before cooking. This should ensure your steak cooks evenly.
- My steak is overcooked: If you are using an air fryer with a basket, the steaks may be too far from the heating element. Try using air fryer racks to lift the steaks closer to the heating element.
Frying Pre-Cooked Chicken Wings: Safe or Not?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
First, allow your steak to come to room temperature for at least 20 minutes before cooking. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F or 200°C. Season your steaks with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and a drizzle of olive oil. Place the steaks in the air fryer basket and cook for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. For a well-done steak, cook for 14 minutes. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before serving.
The steak should be at least 1-inch thick. Thinner steaks will cook too fast and won't get a chance to brown.
The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the steak and how well-done you like it. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. For a rare steak, the internal temperature should be 120°F-130°F. For medium-rare, the temperature should be 130°F. For medium, the temperature should be 140°F. For medium-well, the temperature should be 150°F. For a well-done steak, the temperature should be 160°F.
If your steak is overcooked, it may be because you left it in the air fryer for too long or your air fryer's temperature is too high. Try reducing the cooking time or checking on the steak earlier. Remember that you can always cook it for longer if needed.
There are many options for sides to serve with your fillet steak. Some ideas include roasted vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, or asparagus, mashed potatoes, or a baked potato. You can also top your steak with a pat of herb butter or a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
