Tillie Doyle
Cooking steak in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to achieve a perfect medium-rare steak with a juicy, tender inside and a beautifully seared exterior. It is easy to customize and allows you to cook a delicious steak without the mess and splatter of traditional pan-searing. The air fryer's even circulation of hot air ensures your steak cooks evenly, with a golden brown exterior and a pink, medium-rare center. This method is ideal for busy weeknights or a special dinner, as it delivers mouth-watering results with minimal prep and clean-up time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Steak type | Porterhouse or sirloin steak with 1-inch thickness and around 1/2 pound weight with no bones |
| Steak preparation | Take the steak out of the fridge 20-60 minutes before cooking. Pat dry with paper towels and add to a glass container. Marinate with Worcestershire sauce, coconut aminos, cumin, and garlic paste for an hour. |
| Air fryer temperature | 400°F |
| Air fryer preparation | Preheat the air fryer for 2-10 minutes. Coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray. |
| Cooking time | 8-13 minutes for medium-rare. Flip the steak halfway through cooking. |
| Resting time | 3-10 minutes |
| Serving suggestion | Top with garlic herb butter, compound butter, or a pat of garlic butter. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right steak
Thickness: Select a steak that is at least 1-inch thick. Thinner steaks tend to cook too quickly and may become chewy. A thicker steak will provide a better sear and allow for more accurate control over the doneness.
Cut: Opt for cuts such as porterhouse, sirloin, New York strip, ribeye, t-bone, top sirloin, or filet mignon. These cuts are well-suited for air frying and require less attention during the cooking process.
Marbling: Look for steaks with a good amount of marbling, which is the flecks of fat within the meat. Marbling contributes to the steak's juiciness and flavour. A well-marbled steak will result in a more tender and flavourful bite.
Ageing: Consider choosing dry-aged steaks. The ageing process helps tenderise the meat and concentrates its flavour. Dry-aged steaks are known for their rich, beefy flavour and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Quality: Invest in high-quality, sustainably sourced steaks. Look for grass-fed, organic, or locally raised options. The quality of the meat will significantly impact the taste and texture of your final dish.
Freshness: Opt for fresh steaks instead of frozen ones. Fresh steaks will provide a better dining experience, and you can more easily assess the quality and characteristics of the meat.
By selecting the right steak, you'll be well on your way to cooking a mouth-watering medium-rare steak in your air fryer. Remember to consider thickness, cut, marbling, ageing, quality, and freshness when making your choice.
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Marinating
Firstly, choose your marinade. A simple yet effective option is a combination of Worcestershire sauce, coconut aminos, cumin, and garlic paste. You can also experiment with other ingredients like Italian seasoning, soy sauce, or a store-bought steak rub. If you want to balance the salty flavours and create a caramelized crust, add a pinch of sugar.
Once you have gathered your ingredients, it's time to prepare the steak for marinating. Take the steak out of its packaging and use paper towels to pat it dry. Place the steak in a glass container or bowl.
Now, it's time to apply the marinade. Pour your chosen marinade over the steak, ensuring it is well coated. You can also use your hands to massage the marinade into the meat. Make sure all sides of the steak are evenly covered.
After marinating, let the steak sit at room temperature for about an hour. This step is important because it allows the steak to absorb the flavours of the marinade and ensures even cooking. During this time, shake or flip the steak every 15 minutes to ensure all sides are evenly exposed to the marinade.
When the marinating time is up, preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, take the steak out of the marinade and blot it lightly with paper towels. You want the steak to be moist but not dripping with marinade. Discard any leftover marinade.
Now, your steak is ready to be cooked in the air fryer. Place the steak in the air fryer basket and follow the cooking instructions for medium-rare steak, which is typically around 10-12 minutes, flipping the steak halfway through.
Finally, let the steak rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures a juicy, tender steak. Enjoy your perfectly cooked, flavourful medium-rare steak!
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Preheating the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in the process of cooking a medium-rare steak. It ensures that the outside of the steak gets a nice golden brown colour and helps prevent overcooking. Here is a detailed guide to preheating your air fryer for the perfect medium-rare steak:
Firstly, ensure your steak is at least 1-inch thick. Thinner steaks may cook too quickly and won't brown as effectively. Take your steak out of the refrigerator 20-30 minutes before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature. This helps the steak cook more evenly.
Next, set up your air fryer for preheating. Different sources recommend preheating temperatures of 200°C or 400°F, with a preheating time of at least 5-10 minutes. This will ensure your air fryer basket is sufficiently hot.
While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your steak. Blot the steak with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. You don't want the steak to be dripping with marinade or liquid, but you also don't want to wipe it all off. You can also season the steak at this stage. A simple seasoning of salt and black pepper is effective, or you can use a dry rub or steak seasoning.
Once the air fryer is preheated, you can place the steak in the basket and begin cooking. Depending on your desired level of doneness, you may need to adjust the temperature and cooking time. For a medium-rare steak, cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping the steak halfway through.
Remember, the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your steak and the model of your air fryer, so it's important to monitor the steak's progress and adjust accordingly. Enjoy your perfectly cooked, juicy medium-rare steak!
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for a medium-rare steak in an air fryer will depend on the thickness of the steak and the model of the air fryer. As a rule of thumb, thicker steaks require longer cooking times. It is recommended that you use steaks that are at least 1-inch thick, as thinner steaks may cook too fast and become chewy.
To cook a 1-inch thick steak to medium-rare, preheat your air fryer to 400°F and cook for 10 minutes, flipping the steak after 5 minutes. If you prefer your steak to be rare, reduce the cooking time by a few minutes. For a well-done steak, increase the cooking time to 12–15 minutes.
The internal temperature of a medium-rare steak should be between 130°F and 140°F. To check the temperature, use a meat thermometer and remove the steak from the air fryer when it reaches 130°F, as the temperature will continue to rise as the steak rests.
It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the model of your air fryer, so it is recommended to check the steak's doneness and adjust the cooking time accordingly. Additionally, letting the steak rest for a few minutes after cooking allows the juices to redistribute and the muscle fibers to relax, resulting in a more moist and flavorful steak.
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Resting the steak
To rest your steak, simply remove it from the air fryer and place it on a plate or a wire rack. It is important to note that the steak will continue to cook for a short period after being removed from the air fryer due to residual heat. To prevent overcooking, it is recommended to loosely tent the steak with foil. This will help to insulate the steak and slow down the cooking process.
The resting time for a medium-rare steak is generally around 5 to 10 minutes. This duration allows the steak to reach its ideal internal temperature range of 130°F to 140°F. During this time, the steak's juices will redistribute, enhancing its flavour and texture.
While the steak is resting, you can prepare any sides or sauces to accompany your meal. This is also an excellent opportunity to clean up any mess made during the cooking process, ensuring that you can focus on enjoying your perfectly cooked steak once it's ready to be served.
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Frequently asked questions
Set your air fryer to 400°F.
For a 1-inch thick steak, cook for 10 minutes and flip halfway. Adjust the cooking time according to the thickness of your steak.
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. For medium-rare, the temperature should be between 130°F and 140°F.
Take the steak out of the fridge about 20-30 minutes before cooking to let it come to room temperature. Pat the steak dry with paper towels, then season with salt and pepper or your choice of spices.
Preheat the air fryer for at least 10 minutes before adding the steak. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. Let the steak rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute and the steak to relax, resulting in a moist and flavorful outcome.
